How To Install A Dimmer Switch
Having a room with a bright light is good, but there are instances when you need the lights to be lower than what you’re accustomed. You need to have a dimmer switch, a handy electrical installation that allows people to adjust light levels, from being almost dark to well-lit. It works just by sliding a lever or turning a knob.
A dimmer switch is very reliable, but unfortunately, not all homes have this installed in them. If you want one in your room, you have to install it yourself. Don’t worry, this task is easy, and will only take at least 20 to 30 minutes. Just follow these steps.
Materials Needed
Voltage tester (An expensive one won’t be necessary. There are some inexpensive ones sold at hardwares.)
Screwdriver
Needlenose pliers
Wire strippers
Electrical tape
Dimmer plate
Wire nuts
Procedure
Before you begin to tinker with anything, make sure the power to the circuit you’re working with is turned off. Never forget this, since not only does it protect your dimmer switch from possible damage, but it also prevents you from getting injured.
After you turn off the breaker, put a piece of electrical tape on it, to ensure nobody will turn the electricity on, as you’re installing the switch.
Using the screwdriver, remove the faceplate by unscrewing it from the existing light switch. Then, unscrew the switch itself, and gently pull out from the box. The wiring in the old switch will become brittle and loose over time, and some wires can even be disconnected while you pull out the switch. These are reasons why the electricity should be off.
Double check and make certain that the circuit is off, using the voltage tester.
Unscrew and remove the wires away from the old switch’s terminals. There are also some switches that are placed in using the pressure connectors at the back. If you have that kind of switch, clip it off using a needlenose pliers or just wiggle it out. Throw the switch away.
Using wire strippers, cut off the bare wire just below its insulation. Afterwards, strip 3/8 inch of the insulation from the wires. If you don’t know how much insulation to strip of, check the side of the stripper. Most strippers have a guide indicating how much insulation is needed to be removed.
Most dimmer switches come with a pre-stripped and pre-wired wires at the back. Just get one wire on the dimmer switch, and one from the wall box, then position them side by side. Using the pliers, twist the wire parts exposed together, to give better connection. It also helps prevent one of the wires to slip out.
Tighten a wire nut carefully over the wires. Repeat this with the other wires. One dimmer wire must be connected to a wall wire, while the other is connected to the other wall wire.
Get some electrical tape, at least 3 inches long, then wrap it around the wire nut, where the nut meets the wire. Doing this will protect against any wire from being grounded accidentally. Repeat this with the two other wires.
Fold back the wires into the box, as gently and carefully as you can. You can bend the wires in accordion style fold, so they’ll fit more easily. Remember, dimmer switches can be bigger than regular switches, meaning you should carefully work with the wires to let them fit well. If the switch uses its box with other parts, the power to the other components should be turned off too, just to be safe.
If the dimmer switch is all set in the box, screw it easily into place.
Screw your new faceplate on the switch, but check that the switch is still set to OFF.
You can now remove the electrical tape you placed in the electrical panel, and turn the circuits on again.
Test your new dimmer switch, by slowly turning it on. Check if it’s properly working.
A dimmer switch is what you need, whether you want a fully-lit home or you want the lights to be turned down to low. It takes several simple steps and a few materials to put one of these installations in your home. Follow them properly, and you’ll be able to fiddle with the light levels in your home.