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If one switch controls a fan and a light but the dimmer part for the light does not work and the switch gets warm after a while what could be the problem?
Wiki User
∙ 8y ago
I'm going to assume that the switch that's getting warm is the dimmer. Even when a dimmer is working correctly it gets warm and that's just the electronic parts of it. The face of a dimmer is actually a heat sink to help remove excess heat.
If you swap out the dimmer you will likely find your problem is resolved. Remember to de-energize the circuit by turning off the breaker before working on it.
If in any doubt, consult a qualified electrician.
Andy
Be aware that a dimmer for lights does NOT work for fans (though it may sometimes appear to work, you can end up with noise, problems such as the light attached to the fan not working, the dimmer getting overheated, etc). So even though it might seem to work at first, you'll have problems, and it's against code to put the wrong kind of dimmer there. You can purchase a dimmer which is rated for ceiling fans at Home Depot or Lowes, but they are more expensive than light switch dimmers.
Of course, if there is a single on/off switch at the wall which controls the fan and its light, then you might be better off buying a remote control unit to install in the fan - it will allow you to dim the fan and light separately (and safely). Or purchase a new fan with a remote... ceiling fans are cheap enough now that if yours is old enough, it might be a nice time for an update.
Wiki User
∙ 8y ago
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decreasing the voltage and increasing the ohms
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A short circuit in the wiring or in the switch.
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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.
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