I'm in a mess with a new Dimmer switch, can anyone help please.?

Question

I have taken a photo of the old one (wired) and a photo of the replacement. I'm not sure how i wire the new one???

http://area102.piczo.com/?cr=4&rfm=y
Scroll down to the bottom of my main page and click on LETTERBOX please...Many thanks.

Answer 1

You have made it very easy to answer this question thanks to your excellent pictures. Well done.
The blue wire goes to L1
Yellow wire goes to L2
Red wire wire goes to C (common)
Don't forget to earth the back plate with the green/yellow wire.

Hi Lex
The above answer is correct, and in accordance with the old wiring. If you damaged the insulation on any of those wires (which are are live), then it would go off with a bang and blow the dimmer.
Try putting the old switch back on. Make sure you switch off at the CU beforehand. If that works ok you'll need to get another dimmer.

Answer 2

Ignore the first answer VERY wrong!!

Put the red into C and the yellow and blue into either of L1 and L2. Connect the green/yellow to the earth terminal on the brass plate.

You CAN use energy saving lamps, check out DorS from Megaman.

Answer 3

Go with your UK Electrician's answer (jayktee). Things are different on this side of the pond. Be careful taking electrical advise from untrained people. They keep the fire fighters busy.

Answer 4

Please ignore the first answer.
The answer from the UK electrician is right on. Remember to connect the earth -"ground" on this side of the Atlantic! This should always be connected first and best. Use a grover or other "loosen proof" screw. Remember, "grounds protect people, fuses protect equipment!"

US electrician

Answer 5

put both earths (yellow and green) into the earth terminal (the plain gold one) put blue into L2 and red into L1. leave Common (C) empty.

Answer 6

Remember - when they stop producing non energy effiicient light bulbs, you won't be able to use your dimmer switch.