Installing a New Dimmer Switch

If you never had a dimmer switch in your home before, this will be a challenging project. But it will be fun as long as you know what to do. Here are steps you need to take to ensure your installing goes smoothly without problems:

 

Step 1: Always shut off the power before you work on any type of electrical appliance, switch, or receptacle. This will prevent shorts, fires, and shocks. Once all the power is off, take the cover off the regular light switch. Then unscrew the switch and lift it out of the wall.

 

Step 2: At this time take a neon tester and test to see if there is power to the wires and box before proceeding.

 

Step 3: Take the existing wires and cut them off at the tip where the insulation starts. Now, take a wire cutter and trim about ½ inch of insulation to make a new connection.

 

Step 4: If you are working with a remote dimmer, feed the wires from the remote box to the box before you put the dimmer into the wall. Bring the dimmer up to the box and wire the dimmer. Twist each wire of the dimmer and any other wires in the box to the electrical wire that is already in the box. Make sure to connect green wire to ground if there is one. After all twisting is done place a wire nut on the twisted wire and turn it until tight.

 

Step 5: If your dimmer has a black and a red wire, take the black wire and wire it to the incoming power line and the red wire to the lights.