Hi all,
Having problems with fitting a new dimmer switch.The old light switch is wired up with the following wires:
L1 L2 COM
The problem is my new dimmer switch only has the fittings to take wires L1 AND L2(no common wire).
Any ideas greatfully recieved!!!
2007-07-24 10:02:17 · 8 answers · asked by Biffanio 1 in Home & Garden ➔ Do It Yourself (DIY)
Most likely is your original switch was a three way switch and your new switch is not. Get the proper switch. And be careful taking electrical advise from untrained people on yahoo. Even the ones posing to be electricians.
2007-07-25 04:49:07 · answer #1 · answered by John himself 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
"L1, L2, Com." is the mark of a 3 way switch.
There is another switch that controls the circuit in common with the one you removed.
A 3 way switch can function as a single pole switch, but it's not usually done.
If there were three wires connected to the original switch, it was wired as a three way, and your dimmer is inappropriate for that application.
They do make dimmers for that three way application, provided that the 'com` from the switch in question is the switch leg and not 'power in`.
Explaining a 3 way switch circuit is difficult without resorting to a diagram which I can't do here.
Get advice from a local savant. (Sorry).
2007-07-24 19:27:03 · answer #2 · answered by Irv S 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
You will need a meter to check the wires to see what is hot and what is not you only need one hot (110 volt)and one common or neutral if there is an extra hot wire there you will not need it but you may want to discover what is not working without it hooked up now.If you cannot find what it was cap it off and leave it in there for future use and mark it as being hot so you or the next person will know.
Also be sure your dimmer is going to be big enough to handle the wattage of bulbs it will be running add them up and check this wattage against the wattage on the dimmer and the dimmer should be 20 percent larger than needed.To be safe.
2007-07-24 10:19:09 · answer #3 · answered by dadcat00759 6 · 0⤊ 2⤋
I don't understand the old switch having a connection for "common". The only wires to connect are L1 and L2. and they can be connected the same as they were with the other switch. Dimmers may need to know which is the supply and which is the load. That is the only care you must take ( besides shutting off the power while you wire.
2007-07-24 15:21:32 · answer #4 · answered by len b 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Get 3- way dimmer not single pole
on a 3-way swt dimmer ect.
your common,will always be the single unconnected wire coming out one of the romex.
travelers always come out of the same romex.
In the event you have a dead end 3-way (1 romex w/3 wires)you will need to see at the other end which colors were used as the travelers,doesn't matter which screw for each traveler.
the bare cooper wire is the ground which goes on the green screw or wire.
2007-07-25 00:47:11 · answer #5 · answered by greg w 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
The common wire or wires should be white and if there are 2 you will need to splice them together if there is only one just put a wirenut and tape on it and dont worry about it , some dimmers may need a nutral to work but not all
2007-07-24 10:30:05 · answer #6 · answered by brndnh721 3 · 0⤊ 2⤋
I believe your old switch is what is called a "three way switch". This means that it can be turned on at another location. You just need to get the proper switch. I think you might have one that is designed to be turned on only at that one location.
2007-07-24 14:30:55 · answer #7 · answered by ffcounselor 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
wire them as before. common wires tie off together with wire nut.
2007-07-24 10:11:42 · answer #8 · answered by ROBERT C 2 · 0⤊ 3⤋