For those readers looking for a little mood lighting, how about replacing a single pole light switch with a dimmer switch? Isn’t it a perfect solution? confused? Well, this too can be a great off-beat activity for you. Read on to learn more about what dimmer switches are and how to install a Dimmer Switch or how to wire a dimmer switch.
This blog is all about the dimmer switch; Gharpedia covers the following points in detail in this dimmer switch installation guide-
What Is A Dimmer Switch?
Pros of Dimmer Switches
Types of Dimmer Switches
Tools Required To Install a Dimmer Switch
Duration of Task
The Process: How to Install a Dimmer Switch?
Let’s start the journey…
What Is a Dimmer Switch?
These are humble electronic appliances, which raise or lower the intensity of the brightness of your lighting gadgets. Many homeowners opt for installing dimmers to curb luminosity, save money on electricity bills or as an add-on feature to their security system. Hooking these into the operations of your smart home enables controlling the ambience in your home as you can mechanically adjust the lights to dim mode at a fixed time with the help of timers or smart controls.
Pros of Dimmer Switches
Well, besides adding a romantic ambience to a drab house, dimmer switches ring in a lot of other more practical advantages! They-
- Enable an 18 to 20 per cent conservation on energy or your electricity bills… which translates into a whopping saving on your carbon footprint!
- Help your lights last longer for the simple reason that when on the dim mode, these lights won’t be slogging as much as they would otherwise.
- Enable you to regulate the appearance and mood of any room say – bright lights in the kitchen and den while studying, working, reading or cooking; and dim lights in the dining room or bedroom while watching the television.
Types of Dimmer Switches
A word of counsel before we delve into the various types of dimmer switches … irrespective of the type of dimmer you select, do opt for those with on/off facility as they guarantee better regulation on usage of electricity.
From the broader perspective, there are basically four types of dimmer switches-
- Integrated Dimmer Switch
- Touch Screen Dimmer Switch
- Slide Dimmer Switch
- Rotary Dimmer Switch
Have a detailed look –
1. Integrated Dimmer Switch
Integrated dimmer switches can be controlled with both wireless technology and manual operations.
2. Touch Screen Dimmer Switch
Touch screen dimmer switches are normally mounted on a wall and are neat and easy to use as an add-on. They also add a modernistic hue to the room.
3. Slide Dimmer Switch
Slide dimmer switches are common and enable you to regulate the brightness vide sliding a switch back-and-forth or up and down.
4. Rotary Dimmer Switch
Rotary dimmer switches are quite straightforward and operate manually as in this case their dial doubles up as the on/off switch.
Well, now that we know the basics about dimmer switches, let’s get on with the technical bit … how to install a dimmer switch!
Tools Required for Installing a Dimmer Switch
The followings tools are required to install a dimmer switch –
- Dimmer switch
- New switch plate (if required)
- Screwdriver
- Voltage tester
- Wire cutters (if required)
- Wire nut
- Wire stripper
- Zip-lock plastic bag (if required)
Duration of Task
Well, installing a dimmer switch is the same as installing a regular light switch … so as long as you remember to read the directions that came with the dimmer you purchased.
The Process: How to Install a Dimmer Switch?
Go through thoroughly the following steps to know how to install a dimmer light switch or how to replace a dimmer switch or how to fit a dimmer switch.
Switch Off the Power
Switch off the power to the circuit that powers this switch. Unscrew the switch plate and in case you plan to reuse them, then put the cover and screws in the plastic bag.
Before proceeding, verify that the power is off with the help of the voltage tester. If the indicator lights up or beeps continuously when you touch the terminals and wires, then the power is still on and you have to turn it off before moving on.
Remove the Old Switch
Once you’ve confirmed that the power is off, unscrew the switch from the electrical box – do pull the switch towards you to facilitate easy access to the wires.
Loosen the terminals on the sides of the old switch and detach the wires with your fingers. If your switch doesn’t have wires attached on the side, then the connections were made using a push-in terminal at the back of the switch. In which case, use the screwdriver to open up the slots next to each hole to release the wires else you may have to use wire cutters to cut them loose.
If required, use the wire stripper to remove about half- inch of insulation from the wires coming out of the electrical box. In the case of some dimmer switches, you need to stick a straight wire into the back of the switch; while for others you need to wrap a curved wire around a terminal – to find out what you need to do refer to the instructions that came with your switch.
Dimmer Light Switch Wiring
Connect the grounding wire/wires first, either by hooking the grounding wire (which will be bare copper wire or have green insulation) around the green terminal or using a wire nut to join the grounding wire in the box with the grounding wire from the dimmer. To connect them with a wire nut, twist the two bare wires together, place the wire nut over the twisted wires and turn the nut clockwise until it’s tight and no bare wire is exposed. Double-check by tugging on the wires to see if they come loose; if they do, then you’ll need to start again. Then connect the two black wires and the two white wires (refer to the specific directions that came with your switch).
After ensuring that all the wires from the dimmer switch are connected to their partner wires in the electrical box, push the wires back into the box and screw the switch in place. To ascertain that you’ve got it right side up!
Restore the Power
Restore the power and see if the dimmer switch is working. In case it isn’t, then shut off the power again and repeat your steps. If you can’t figure out the problem, leave the power off and call your electrician; else put on a switch plate and there you are, you’ve got mood lighting.
Important Cues
- Please note that not all light fixtures can be controlled by a standard dimmer switch – fluorescent lights need special dimmers and so do ceiling fans.
- In case you have managed to get a dimmer switch with a small control on the right, then you should be able to use your old switch plate; if otherwise, then you’ll have to buy a new one.
Hey… what are you waiting for? Go ahead, install a dimmer switch in your dining room and enjoy the ambience of a candlelight dinner sans the candle!
I hope this step-by-step dimmer switch installation guide clears all your doubts about how to install a dimmer switch. Like this DIY guide, Gharpedia has written many helpful DIY guides you will love to go through. Here are few-
How to Install a Ceiling Fan
How to Install a Light Fixtures
Image Courtesy: Image 4, Image 5, Image 6, Image 8
Author Bio
Huta Raval – An English Literature and Journalism Topper, Huta Raval has graduated from the L D Arts College, Ahmedabad. Post serving for 23 years in the NBFC and Public Library Sectors her desire for ‘writing the unwritten’ brought her to the creative field of content writing. Her clientele comprises of NGOs, Blogging Platforms, Newspapers, Academic Institutions, et al.