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can you have two dimmer switches on same circuit

by Prof. Selmer Botsford Published 3 years ago Updated 3 years ago

Yes you can have multiple dimmer switches on one circuit. That is the entire light circuit can accommodate in theory an unlimited no of dimmers. The man at B&S is confused. You can't put 2 dimmers on a 2 way light circuit unless you get expensive electronic types by a company like Zano.

Yes you can have multiple dimmer switches on one circuit.

Full Answer

Can you put two dimmers in the same circuit?

You can put the dimmer at either location, but not both locations. There are "companion" dimmers available from some companies, that allow you to place additional dimmers in the circuit. Click to see full answer.

Do I need a 3 way dimmer switch?

If only one switch controls the light, purchase a single-pole dimmer. If two switches control a single light or a group of lights, you will need a three-way dimmer. Also Know, can you leave a dimmer switch on all night? 1 Answer. There shouldn't be any dangers if you use a dimmer that's designed for LED lights.

What is a dual dimmer switch?

Dual dimmer switches can control two separate lights or a fan and light combination. A dimmer switch for a fan must conform to power load rating specified by the manufacturer. Lutron Electronics makes dual dimmer switches that fit inside a single box.

Can a dimmer switch be used for a fan?

A dimmer switch for a fan must conform to power load rating specified by the manufacturer. Lutron Electronics makes dual dimmer switches that fit inside a single box. They come with load capacities for lights, or fan and light combinations. Enjoy the convenience of operating two dimmers from the same box.

How do I install two dimmer switches?

0:282:36How to Install a 3-Way Dimmer Switch - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipWith one at the top and one at the bottom you're going to need a 3-way dimmer switch. So look forMoreWith one at the top and one at the bottom you're going to need a 3-way dimmer switch. So look for the three-way icon on the packaging. Now I'm showing you the instructions for this situation.

Can you use 2 dimmers on a 3-way circuit?

The answer is no. If you set up a 3-way switch for your light, there can't be multiple dimmers. However, there are workarounds to this. Such as placing one dimmer on the line leading into the first switch.

How do you wire multiple dimmers?

0:167:02Wiring a 3 Way Dimmer with companion - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipBefore you begin you'll need to turn your power off at the circuit breaker confirm the power is offMoreBefore you begin you'll need to turn your power off at the circuit breaker confirm the power is off by flipping the switch you're going to replace on.

Do both switches need to be 3 way dimmer?

You will need a three-way dimmer and a three-way switch. This lets you dim from one location and turn the lights on and off from another. If only one switch controls the light, purchase a single-pole dimmer. If two switches control a single light or a group of lights, you will need a three-way dimmer.

Steve

Thanks for the clarification. How about one dimmer at one end of the room and an ordinary two way switch at the other end (both 2 way), would that work?

Mike2007

I am having a loft converted and plan to have two sets of LV halogen track lights installed to be controlled by two 2 gang 2-way dimmer switches at either end of the room. Could someone please confirm if this is technically possible as I searched this forum and there appears to be an issue with putting two dimmers on a single circuit?

Space cat

1. Many light fittings you purchase at B&Q and BHS and other home stores, still come with toroidal wire-wound REAL transformers. These are NOT suitable for dimming, without the right equipment. You can tell this type of Tx as they are big and bulky, often round so they fit in a light fitting base.

DIYnot Local

If you need to find a tradesperson to get your job done, please try our local search below, or if you are doing it yourself you can find suppliers local to you.

What is it called when you put two dimmers in the same box?

Note that if you put multiple dimmers in the same box, the maximum wattage drops. This is called "derating" and is usually covered by the installation instructions. For example a single dimmer may be able to support 600W, but if you put two in the same box they each drop to 400W. (Exact values depend on manufacturer specs).

How many watts can a 600W dimmer control?

The ratings on dimmers are the maximum watts of bulbs they can control. For example a 600W dimmer can control up to ten 60W bulbs. The amount of power used by a dimmer at 100% brightness is equal to a standard toggle switch switched ON. The power consumed drops as you decrease the brightness. The dimmer consumes no power when off.#N#Note that if you put multiple dimmers in the same box, the maximum wattage drops. This is called "derating" and is usually covered by the installation instructions. For example a single dimmer may be able to support 600W, but if you put two in the same box they each drop to 400W. (Exact values depend on manufacturer specs).

What is a dual dimmer switch?

Dual dimmer switches can control two separate lights or a fan and light combination. A dimmer switch for a fan must conform to power load rating specified by the manufacturer. Lutron Electronics makes dual dimmer switches that fit inside a single box. They come with load capacities for lights, or fan and light combinations.

How to connect a light to a brass dimmer?

Outgoing power can connect to either brass terminal if the dimmers will control two lights. Let the white neutral run from the incoming raceway to the outgoing one. Twist the neutral wires together and cap the connection with a wire nut if necessary.

How to stop a breaker box from reactivating?

Cut off the power supply running through the circuit that feeds the box. Turn off the breaker switch and lock or label the breaker box to avoid accidental reactivation of power.

How many dimmers can you use on a 3 way switch?

When using a 3-way dimmer switch, you should only have one dimmer on the circuit. The other switches (you can have more than one) must be on-off switches only. In this setup, the light level is controlled from a single location, whichever light switch you replace with the dimmer switch.

What is the black wire on a light switch?

If the light turns on, the second black wire you connected to the switch is the switch feed and the unconnected black wire is the feed to the other loads. If the light doesn't turn on, then it's the other way around: the connected wire feeds the other loads and the disconnected wire is the light feed.

Can you dim a light from two different switches?

Installing the Two-Way Dimmer Switch Traditionally, you cannot dim a light from two different switches, as it will cause a conflict in the circuitry. Any electrician will tell you that this will not work for a regular double switch three-way circuit.

Can you put a dimmer on a 2 way switch?

Can you put a dimmer on a two way switch? If you have a 2-way circuit (where the same lights are controlled by two switches) you must choose a push-on/push-off dimmer and replace one of the switches with that dimmer. You can only use one push-on/push-off dimmer in a 2-way circuit.

How many watts does a dimmer switch need?

Dimmer switch are usually rated for 250watts , so you can replace every light switch in your house with a dimmer switch , as long as each dimmer switch does not see a load more than 250watts

Can you replace a light switch with a dimmer?

Yes you can replace light switch with a dimmer and have one in each room just make sure it is correct dimmer switch for light in that room. 2019-06-23T16:35:01+01:00. Answered 23rd Jun 2019.

Can you put 2 dimmers on a 2 way switch?

You can't put 2 dimmers on a 2 way light circuit unless you get expensive electronic types by a company like Zano. However 1 dimmer can be installed for every 1 or 2 way switch. 2019-06-23T08:00:02+01:00. Answered 23rd Jun 2019. Like 0.

Can you have two dimmers on one circuit?

You can have as many dimmers as you like on one circuit. There are also products that alow 2 way dimming (2 dimmers - one light) but often customers are happy to be able to set the light level at one switch or the other.#N#Dimming lights is often not so straight forward as it used to be, and sometimes the wattage of the light is just too low for a dimmer to work effectively if LED lamps are uswed. The dimmer must match the load and lamp type.

Dimmer and 3-Way Switch Setup

  • First thing’s first you have to make sure that you’re using 3-way dimmers. If you use an ordinary dimmer switch, the other 3-way switch would lose its functionality. Now that that’s out of the way, let’s get to the main topic. If you’re using a normal 3-way dimmer, you can have only one dimmer. The switch at the other end must be a 3-way switch. You would be able to turn the light on/off fr…
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Workaround to The Dimming Issue

  • Say you want to be able to dim the light from either location. What do you do then? Well, there are a few workarounds.
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FAQs

  • Question: Can I use fan speed regulators as dimmers? Answer: No. While rotary dimmers and fan speed regulators look the same, they are completely different. Substituting one for the other can result in circuit failure at best. And fires at worst. Question: Will all dimmers work with all lights? Answer: No. Based on the type of light you’re using, the type of dimmer will vary. There are gener…
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Conclusion

  • Can you have 2 dimmers on a 3-way switch? The short answer is no. The long answer is that there are ways to achieve the desired functionality. The process might be a bit complicated. But, you’ll be able to gain the ability to dim the lights from either location. Or you can shell out some extra cash. And get the multi-location dimmer switches. That’...
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