I've broken the turning knob on the dimmer switch. I've tried gluing it back on but no luck. Is it easy to replace the whole dimmer switch? Do I need to turn the electricity off at the mains box? As you can tell I'm no expert so appreciate your advice. Thanks
2006-10-06 12:21:23 · 7 answers · asked by H M 1 in Home & Garden ➔ Maintenance & Repairs
First you need to turn the electricity off at the panel. Then you need to replace the whole switch which is very inexpensive. You will be able to see where everything goes by the old one. If you have any questions though, call a local electrician because that could get dangerous. My husband is an electrician so I am no just feeding you a line of bull.... I promise.
2006-10-06 12:30:17 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Hi, Yes a blowing lamp can and often will take out a dimmer switch due to the dimmer circuitry not being able to handle the current surge associate with a blowing bulb. New dimmer time I'm afraid. You should also check the wattage rating on your new dimmer to make sure it can handle the wattage of the bulbs you are using ie. if you have 3 x 100watt lamps in your fitting a 250watt (which is the rating usual off the shelf) is no good so it will die again. Also, for fear of boring you if the bulbs are halogen the dimmer shoud be rate at twice the total wattage of your bulbs. hope this helps.
2016-03-27 06:35:17 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Its a simple proedure and the directions are on the box. also if it is just the knob that broke and not the stem on the switch maybe you can just use the knob off a new switch. Make sure you turn power off to the switch first. also use wire nuts which should be included with your dimmer switch do not just tape it. and ground the switch to the bare copper wire. read the instructions take your time and you will be fine.
2006-10-06 13:19:19 · answer #3 · answered by Jack 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you end up calling an electrician--first call you local IBEW union and get a contractor referral. You call joe schmoe electric and who knows what kind crap they'll tell you. You may want to turn off the main breaker which will reset all you electrical devices throughout the house-- another reason being that although only one circuit is feeding the dimmer the nuetral (return/white wire) could be shared with another circuit back to the panel where it is not protected by a breaker. 1/1000 of an amp is enough to kill you -- the wire feeding your dimmer is rated at around 25 amps which means is you get hung up to ground on the nuetral your cooking until the wire or your body part vaporizes or loses ground. Be careful. Electricity burns you from the inside out!!
2006-10-06 13:56:42 · answer #4 · answered by scottyurb 5 · 0⤊ 2⤋
It's easy and if you are sure which breaker of fuse controls the switch, you only have to turn that one off.
The good thing about AC voltage is that it lets go of you. DC doesn't.
2006-10-06 16:39:14 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
basically switch is 2 wires...any lowes or Home depot will have replacement, but first make sure power is off
2006-10-09 10:25:27 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Scotty sounds paranoid
2006-10-06 15:29:38 · answer #7 · answered by T C 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
thats a breeze to replace,you might want to turn off the electricity off but you dont need to just dont let any 2 wires touch each other
2006-10-06 12:27:44 · answer #8 · answered by Ricky Lee 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋