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How do you wire a 3-way dimmer switch that has two red wires and one black and one green when the box has two red and two black?
Wiki User
∙ 8y ago
you can only have one dimmer, the other switch needs to be not a dimmer. the green wire is ground, it connects to a bare copper wire found in the box, or to the box itself, if the box is metal. the black wire is"common" it either connects to the wire found in the box that has power in it or to the black wire that goes to the light. the 2 red wires are"travelers" they connect to the wires found in the box that go from switch to switch. if you don't know how to check which wire does what( continuity), it is possible to keep changinging the connections until the switch works. you will want to do this with a conventional switch, and install the dimmer afer you identify what wires are travelers and wich are common. you will destroy a dimmer switch by searching for the right connection. once you have identified the common wires, it will be on the black screw of a 3way switch; you can put that wire on the black wire of the dimmer. one red goes on one traveler, the other on another traveler. there might be a white wire in the box, if it is connected to other white wires and not to the switch, leave it alone. if a single white wire is connected to old switch, it may be a traveler.you will connect a red dimmer wire to this. opening the other switch location will show you if the white wire is used as a traveler.the black wire has to be either power coming in, or the wire going to the light. the reds are just connecting the 2 switches.
Wiki User
∙ 18y ago
Wiki User
∙ 14y agoDoesn't sound like a three-way switch, could be a double-pole or four-way. <><><>
As always, if you are in doubt about what to do, the best advice anyone should give you is to call a licensed electrician to advise what work is needed.
Before you do any work yourself,
on electrical circuits, equipment or appliances,
always use a test meter to ensure the circuit is, in fact, de-energized.
IF YOU ARE NOT ALREADY SURE YOU CAN DO THIS JOB
SAFELY AND COMPETENTLY
REFER THIS WORK TO QUALIFIED PROFESSIONALS.
Wiki User
∙ 8y agoIt sounds like your switch box is wired for a four way switch. Not a three way. Can't be positive without looking at it. Are there two other switches that control the same light? If so the dimmer would have to go in one of those boxes.
Wiki User
∙ 11y agoRemove the old single pole switch. Connect the green dimmer wire to the ground wire. Now connect the black dimmer wire to the black wire that is the hot wire (wire carrying the electrical current into the box). Connect the red dimmer wire to the other black wire.
Wiki User
∙ 11y agoNot enough information, but generally: you can't.
The existing switch location will require another conductor, at the very least.
In other words, the existing switch will need a different cable and the wires will need to be connected properly to the new 3-way switch.
Wiki User
∙ 10y agoIt sounds like you have the wrong dimmer. With the colour of the wires you have it describes a three way dimming unit. These types have to be used in a three way switching setup. The type of dimmer for just a single switching circuit will have a black, white and red wire coming out of the unit. The black is the "hot" connection, the white is the neutral connection and the red wire goes to the lighting load.
Wiki User
∙ 11y agoThe two black wires go to the other 3-way switch. The red wire goes either to the load or to the power, and the red from the other 3-way switch goes to whatever's left.
Wiki User
∙ 12y agoThe black and white (neutral) wires connect to an unswitched voltage supply. The red wire and the same white (neutral) wires connect to the load.
Wiki User
∙ 11y agoVery carefully.
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Why does a dimmer switch have 2 red wires?
That could mean that it is for a 3 way application. Should have 2 red 1 black 1 green.
Is it possible to wire a dimmer switch off another dimmer switch for a completeley different light?
No, the dimmer switch needs its own individual circuit power supply to feed the fixtures connected to it. The black of the second dimmer switch can not be connected to the red wire of the first dimmer switch. Now if you are talking about using a common "hot" to feed two dimmer switches then this can be done. The neutrals will be common also. So what you should have is two black wires connected together with the incoming "hot". Two neutrals connected together with the incoming white. The red from each dimmer is then connected to its own individual fixture load.
How do you replace a dimmer light switch with a regular light switch coming off of a wall plug ive got 2 black wires 2 white wires 2 grounds and one red wire going to the light?
This is a relatively simple wiring job. Remember that all a switch is, is a means of interrupting the power coming from source (electrical panel) and travelling to load (light fixture). Without the switch, the light would stay on constantly. The black wire is a power wire and so is the red. The white wire is a neutral wire, and the green wire is the ground. You may have to do some trial and error to get it right as I can't see the actual wiring diagram you have. After shutting power off to that circuit, disconnect the dimmer switch and remove. Connect the two white wires together with a wire connector. Connect the two green wires. The red wire was probably part of the dimmer switch and should now be gone, but if it isn't then just cap it off. Now connect the black wire from the fixture to one of the terminals on the switch, and connect the black wire from the electrical panel to the remaining terminal on the switch. That's it.
Were do you connect the dimmer wire?
There should be two wires coming from the dimmer switch unless it is a 3-way dimmer. The wires should be labled line and load on a normal 2-way switch. The line load is connected to the incoming power wire. the load wire is then connected to the wire that goes to the fixture. If you area replacing an old two way switch, then it will hook up exactly the same as the original switch, except for the fact that you will have to connect the pigtail wires of the switch to the other wires that used to be under screw terminals. I hope this answered your question. Thanks, Ben M. There should be two wires coming from the dimmer switch unless it is a 3-way dimmer. The wires should be labled line and load on a normal 2-way switch. The line load is connected to the incoming power wire. the load wire is then connected to the wire that goes to the fixture. If you area replacing an old two way switch, then it will hook up exactly the same as the original switch, except for the fact that you will have to connect the pigtail wires of the switch to the other wires that used to be under screw terminals. I hope this answered your question. Thanks, Ben M.
Light switch has 4 wire colors red and white and green and black which is the hot wire?
You have a 3 way switch. Your black wire is the hot wire. Your green wire is the ground wire. Your red and white wires go to the light and other switch. You should have gotten a wiring diagram with your switch.
Why does a dimmer switch have 2 red wires?
That could mean that it is for a 3 way application. Should have 2 red 1 black 1 green.
Dimmer switch that has one black wire connected to the left side and two black wires connected to the right side of the switch How do you connect these wires if you want to just install a regular flip?
Check the screws next to the wires and see what color they are if they are green, black, and red then do what i say next, if not you're screwd. just connect the red/black/green wires in the holes in the flip switch and be careful not to touch the wires just the protective covering and inert them they should auto lock in there...if not just screw them in.
Is it possible to wire a dimmer switch off another dimmer switch for a completeley different light?
No, the dimmer switch needs its own individual circuit power supply to feed the fixtures connected to it. The black of the second dimmer switch can not be connected to the red wire of the first dimmer switch. Now if you are talking about using a common "hot" to feed two dimmer switches then this can be done. The neutrals will be common also. So what you should have is two black wires connected together with the incoming "hot". Two neutrals connected together with the incoming white. The red from each dimmer is then connected to its own individual fixture load.
How do you wire a dimmer switch that has two black wires and one green wire to two black wires I have a old house and that is all that goes to all my light switches?
There is a good chance that the green wire is your grounding wire. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KNo78fMZfRI&feature=PlayList&p=05D94AD4BF05DD32&index=5&playnext=4&playnext_from=PL Attach black to black with connectors and ground (green) to ground (usually a white wire in the box).
How do you replace a dimmer light switch with a regular light switch coming off of a wall plug ive got 2 black wires 2 white wires 2 grounds and one red wire going to the light?
This is a relatively simple wiring job. Remember that all a switch is, is a means of interrupting the power coming from source (electrical panel) and travelling to load (light fixture). Without the switch, the light would stay on constantly. The black wire is a power wire and so is the red. The white wire is a neutral wire, and the green wire is the ground. You may have to do some trial and error to get it right as I can't see the actual wiring diagram you have. After shutting power off to that circuit, disconnect the dimmer switch and remove. Connect the two white wires together with a wire connector. Connect the two green wires. The red wire was probably part of the dimmer switch and should now be gone, but if it isn't then just cap it off. Now connect the black wire from the fixture to one of the terminals on the switch, and connect the black wire from the electrical panel to the remaining terminal on the switch. That's it.
How do you install a dimmer switch for multi fixtures where the original switch has 2 black wires and one red with no green?
This simple if you have two switches controlling a set of light you will need to buy a three way switch. A three way switch will have a place for three connection. Depending on what brand of switch you purchase the directions will be sightly different but most dimmer come with detailed directions and diagrams. When you by a dimmer you need to read what kind of load it is meant to control. They are built to control incandescent light, magnet low voltage lights or electronic lights.
How do you install a dimmer to a light installed with W wire B wire and ground W running into the switch box if the switch box has power from B wire W wire and ground?
If you have one wire into your switch box for your light. this is called a switch leg, the dimmer should be wired across the black and white wire wires.
Why don't the headlights work on your 1995 ford ranger?
AnswerIf the lights work on the flash to pass but do not work otherwise either the switch is bad or the dimmer switch is bad. I just am working on a 1995 Ranger and found the dimmer switch to be bad. I checked the headlight switch and that was good so I found the dimmer switch to be the problem. I jumped the wires after unplugging the dimmer switch and lights come on. Replace the headlight dimmer switch and good to go! Hope this helps.
Where is the fuel shut off switch located on a 1987 f-150 with the 300 six cyl motor?
under dash above dimmer switch small black with 2 wires and white reset button
Were do you connect the dimmer wire?
There should be two wires coming from the dimmer switch unless it is a 3-way dimmer. The wires should be labled line and load on a normal 2-way switch. The line load is connected to the incoming power wire. the load wire is then connected to the wire that goes to the fixture. If you area replacing an old two way switch, then it will hook up exactly the same as the original switch, except for the fact that you will have to connect the pigtail wires of the switch to the other wires that used to be under screw terminals. I hope this answered your question. Thanks, Ben M. There should be two wires coming from the dimmer switch unless it is a 3-way dimmer. The wires should be labled line and load on a normal 2-way switch. The line load is connected to the incoming power wire. the load wire is then connected to the wire that goes to the fixture. If you area replacing an old two way switch, then it will hook up exactly the same as the original switch, except for the fact that you will have to connect the pigtail wires of the switch to the other wires that used to be under screw terminals. I hope this answered your question. Thanks, Ben M.
Can you bypass the dimmer switch in a 94 Honda accord and not use it at all?
I was playing with mine and if you bridge the red and black wires, your instrument panel will light up. DON'T bridge the red/black wire and the black wire - it will blow a fuse.
Light switch has 4 wire colors red and white and green and black which is the hot wire?
You have a 3 way switch. Your black wire is the hot wire. Your green wire is the ground wire. Your red and white wires go to the light and other switch. You should have gotten a wiring diagram with your switch.
