Dimmer switch

dustbunnydiva

You can do this easily yourself. It really doesn't matter how many switches are on one plate, each one would be done individually so you can do some or all of them as you like. You do have to watch the width of the plate on the front of the little box all the operating stuff is contained in on the new switch. There are tabs along the sides and top/bottom you can break off if you need to to make it fit (seems multiple switch plates ar more crowded than single switches) to make them fit. Your original cover plate will fit with the new dimmer (except if you buy a slide dimmer) so keep that.

You do have to be aware of whether the light you are using is only operated by one switch or not. You may, for instance, have a light in a stairway that can be controlled from either upstairs or downstairs. Those use a different dimmer, as do ones with three different switches for a single light.

The package will tell you which ones are which and if you do have a double or triple switched light, you may want dimmers for all it's switches.

You will also notice there are switches that have push on/off and some that simply rotate on/off, as well the dials differ or you can get sliders (some are smooth/gradual when dimming, some have only 3 settings you click between a high/medium/low so to speak). I've always found the push on/off very handy especially when the dimmer is in a place I might need to light while my hands are full. You have to have that type when it is a light on two or more switches because otherwise you may not be able to get the light on from another switch (as you have already dimmed it right down to nothing on the dimmer).

NB: Always, turn off the power at the breaker. Be careful the wires don't have any loose ends at the connections to the switch or anywhere else when you are done. All wires/bits of wire should be tucked in under the screw so you don't get any shorts. Cut off any extra that may be hanging out if you have to.

Just wire it exactly as it was wired on the original switch.

Everything comes with the dimmer switch (and they don't cost very much, <$10 usually for the simple ones). You will also need a knife or a wire stipper to cut away the plastic coating if you need to (you may not). I usually (because I am a worry wort) get some electrical tape and tape the connectors (they screw over the white/black/red wires) to make sure the connectors never come off, and that no bare wire is ever showing (can cause a short). It may be overkill, but I tape them really well anyway.

It takes about 15 minutes to do your first one and after that you should be able to do one in 5. They are easy once you are familiar with them.

Warning: most hallogens can not have dimmer switches operating them, it has something to do with the transformers they have and you will ruin them.

Be careful not to put dimmers where they control the power to things like TV's (some houses have switches for wall outlets so lamps can be turned off/on from the front door and if you have another appliance plugged in you can cause damage to them if they don't get full power). Also on things like ceiling fans with lights if they are wired into a single switch. You have to have the power on full when the fan motor is operating (but it can be useful to dim if only the lights are being used).

Also, if you hear humming or the dimmer gets hot, turn off your power and try to install it again.

Good luck and the folks at the store can help you pick out what will work in your house. I tell you, once you do one, you will be running around doing all the switches in your house.

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