Dimmer switches can be installed on a three-way switch. This allows two controls to turn the light on and off, with a third switch left for the dimming function. Three-way switches can be used with single-pole applications when installing a dimmer switch.
How do you wire a three way dimmer switch?
- When wiring a 3-way switch, first screw the terminal screws of the new switch until they are difficult to turn.
- Connect the ground wire to the green screw.
- Connect the wire marked common to the black or dark colored screw.
- Connect the two remaining traveler wires to the two brass or light colored screws.
How to replace or install a 3 way dimmer switch?
Turn Off Power & Remove Old Switch
- Connect the New Dimmer Switch. If the house wires are bent, use a wire stripper to cut off the twisted ends. ...
- Replace the Wall Plate. Carefully tuck the wires back into the electrical outlet box. ...
- Turn Power Back On
Can dimmer switches be used with 3 way switches?
That’s where 3-way switches are handy—they allow users to turn on a centrally located light from different sides of a room or from the upper and lower ends of a stairway. A 3-way switch setup will even work with a dimmer switch, as long as the dimmer switch is designed for 3-way wiring. Can you put two dimmers on the same circuit?
How to install a 3 way light switch?
Either way, complete these five steps for 3-way light switch wiring:
- Turn off the correct circuit at your electrical panel.
- Add an electrical box for the second 3-way switch in the basement. ...
- Feed a length of 14-3 type NM cable (or 12-3, if you're connecting to 12-gauge wire) between the two boxes. ...
- Connect the wires to the new 3-way switches with ground screws using one of the two wiring diagrams (Fig. ...
What happens if you replace a three way switch with a dimmer switch?
If you simply replaced one of the three-way switches with an ordinary dimmer switch, it would no longer toggle from one line to another and would only go on or off and reduce the power of the current. The top of the stairway, bottom of the stairway reversing control would no longer work.
Why do multiple dimmer controls talk to each other?
New multiple dimmer controls are more expensive, but they talk to each other to allow controlling the intensity of a single light from multiple locations.
Why do three way switches have three screws?
That is why the three-way switch has three screws on it. One is the common wire and the other two carry that common current to one line or another. In fact a three-way switch all by itself would be of little use for your light. It takes a pair of three-way switches as shown in the diagram to cause that re-routing of electricity ...
How to reduce the power of a light?
What you could also do is to put a dimmer switch on the common line leading into a pair of three-way switch. This would turn on and off the whole system, as well as have the possibility of reducing the light level. If you put one dimmer switch on each end, outside of each of the three-way switches, you would have to have both dimmers on and the end result would be a reducing of the power of the light by the sum of the two dimmers, so if all you want to do is to reduce the strength of the light, use just one dimmer.
Can you put a dimmer switch on each end?
If you put one dimmer switch on each end, outside of each of the three-way switches, you would have to have both dimmers on and the end result would be a reducing of the power of the light by the sum of the two dimmers, so if all you want to do is to reduce the strength of the light, use just one dimmer. All of that is to say that ...
Can a dimmer switch be used on a stairway?
All of that is to say that a simple dimmer switch cannot give you that top of the stairway, bottom of the stairway control, but can be used to reduce the intensity of the light, but you will have to remember to leave the dimmer on at all times for the rest of the system to work.
How many wires are in a dimmer switch?
There will be three wires: one black, one white, and a separate ground wire that may be bare copper or is sometimes wrapped in green. Identify the different colored wires, and attach the wires to the dimmer in the same way they had been attached to the switch.
How many switches does a single pole dimmer have?
With a standard single-pole dimmer, a single switch controls the light. With a three-way dimmer, you can control a light with two switches. 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.
How much does it cost to install a dimmer switch?
The total labor costs for the installation of a dimmer switch range from approximately $58 to $135 per job.
How many connections does a two way switch have?
A two-way switch (2 connections to the switch , not including ground)turns lights on or off from 1 location only. A three-way switch (3 connections to the switch, not including ground) can turn lights on or off from 2 locations.
What is the common wire?
The "common" is the "neutral" or "ground" wire, depending on the type of circuit. In normal US residential wiring, you'll have a black "hot" wire, a white "neutral" or "common" wire, and a green or bare "ground" wire.
What is a single pole dimmer?
With a standard single-pole dimmer, a single switchcontrols the light. With a three-way dimmer, you cancontrol a light with two switches. You will need a three-way dimmerand a three-way switch. This lets you dim from one location and turn the lights on and off from another.
Can a light fixture be dimmed?
LED fixtures, for instance, may work with standard dimmers, but some may need a specialized dimmer. Likewise, not all compact fluorescent (CFL) light fixtures can be dimmed.
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 a multi-location dimmer switch?
Unlike 3-way dimmer switches, which cannot support multiple dimmers on the circuit, multi-location dimmer switches allow for dimming controls in more than one location. These can be paired with a compatible dimmer switch, non-dimming 3-way switches, or smart-home systems and remotes. Any device on the circuit can control the dimming, such as a Pico remote paired with a Smart Bridge or your smart phone, depending on your setup. Like 3-way switches, these have on/off and dimming controls at the switch. They are also available in the same types of switches: incandescent, fluorescent, LED, low voltage, and multiple load.
What is a multiple load dimmer?
Multiple Load: Rated for use with more than one type of technology. For example, this type of dimmer switch may support CFL, halogen, incandescent, and LED or a combination of those.
What devices can control dimming?
Any device on the circuit can control the dimming, such as a Pico remote paired with a Smart Bridge or your smart phone, depending on your setup. Like 3-way switches, these have on/off and dimming controls at the switch. They are also available in the same types of switches: incandescent, fluorescent, LED, low voltage, and multiple load.
Can you use a dimmer on LED lights?
Different technology is needed to dim LED light bulbs than fluorescent or incandescent and halogen lights. If you already have your lights on a circuit with a dimmer, new LED lights may not be compatible with an older dimmer.
Can you use a single pole dimmer switch on multiple lights?
If your lights are controlled from more than one switch, a single pole dimmer switch just won’t do. Whether you need a 3-way dimmer switch or one compatible with multiple locations depends on how much control you want over light levels and from how many locations. If you’re replacing two 3-way light switches at the top and bottom ...
Do you need a 3 way dimmer 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) ...
Can You Use A 3-Way Dimmer On A 4-Way Circuit?
You can use a 3-way dimmer on a 4-way circuit but you should match the amperage and voltage of the dimmer to the switch you want to replace. Additionally, you have to ensure that the dimmer you wish to use is compatible with the electrical circuit and the light fixture.
Can You Put A Dimmer On A 2 Way Switch?
Instead, you need to buy a push-on/off dimmer. You should also place one dimmer on a 2-way circuit. You have to pair the dimmer with a regular switch. Don’t install two different dimmers for a single light on the same circuit.
What is a 3 way dimmer?
Most 3-Way dimmers come with pre-wired leads that are color coded and explained below. These dimmers are also known as wall dimmers and light dimmers. If you are replacing an existing 3-way switch: When replacing an existing 3-way switch take note of how the existing switch is wired BEFORE you remove the wiring, ...
How many watts does a 3 way dimmer switch use?
Most dimmers are rated for 600 watts of power consumption, so if you have several light fixtures which will be controlled by the 3-way dimmer switch you will need to count the number of fixtures, the number of lamps per fixture and the watts per lamp. Calculate the total watts which will be controlled by your 3-way dimmer switch.
What is a residential dimmer switch?
Residential dimmer switches are available for several load requirements including 600, 800 and 1000 watts. If you do not size your dimmer properly the dimmer could overheat and cause internal damage. Regular 3-way dimmer switches are designed for incandescent lamps unless otherwise stated.
Why do you need a dimmer switch?
Installing Dimmer Switches can help reduce your electrical consumption as shown in the chart below.
How many wires are in a dimmer?
The old dimmer only has 1 line and 1 load on it and there are only 2 wires in the wall red and blue.
What is the green ground wire on a switch?
The Green Ground Lead attaches to the switch box ground wire, the Red and White "travelers" are attached to the pair of Red Leads and the Black Lead is connected to the Power or Switch Leg connected at the fixture (s).
When replacing an existing 3 way switch, what to do?
If you are replacing an existing 3-way switch: When replacing an existing 3-way switch take note of how the existing switch is wired BEFORE you remove the wiring, then refer to your notes to help you wire the new 3-way dimmer switch.
