BeJane.com, March 17th, 2006
Ask Jane: How to Install a Dimmer Switch
Dear Jane,
Help! I am hosting the family holiday dinner this year and I want my place to look and feel great. My place is in pretty good shape, but are there any quick upgrades I can tackle before they arrive? Thanks!
- Linda N.
Dear Linda,
Thanks for your question! Besides great food, one of the keys to a successful meal is ambiance. If you think your dining room is lacking mood, a light dimmer is an easy-to-install device that creates a relaxing atmosphere for your guests. Dimmers are inexpensive—usually $12 to $20—and can be installed in under an hour.
Before getting started, figure out if you have a single pole or multiple pole light switch. This will determine which dimmer switch you purchase as well as the installation process. For this project, we assume a single pole switch.
SAFETY TIP: Dimmers cannot be used on fluorescent lighting!
Step 1
The first step of any electrical project is turning the power off at the circuit breaker. Confirm that it’s off using an electrical tester at the wall switch.
Step 2
Remove the face plate. Remove the screws from the top and bottom of the old toggle switch. Now pull the entire existing switch unit out of the junction box (the junction box is the plastic or metal box installed inside the wall that holds the switch in place. Unscrew the plastic wire caps and untwist the wires. Remove the old switch and discard.
Step 3
Next we'll connect the wires from the new switch to the house wiring. Review the instructions that came with your new switch again. Often, it's as simple as matching like-colored wires (e.g. black to black and white to white) together. Unfortunately, in some homes, there is no universal code for the color of the wiring. Hot wires are usually black but can also be red and neutral wires are usually white but can be blue.
Connect the tips of the wires by twisting them together and screwing on a plastic wire cap (most dimmer switches will include these in the package). Make sure that the bare wires are completely encased in the wire nut and don't slide out easily.
Step 4
The neutral wires should be connected next (in our case it was a blue wire from the switch to a yellow, neutral wire from the house). Cap with a wire nut as well. Use electrical tape to wrap around the base of the connection if you notice that there is any copper wire still exposed.
Step 5
With all the wiring connected (caps tight, no bare wires exposed), you need to push the switch into place. Often, excess wiring will require you to gently bend and bunch the wires to fold up inside the box. Do this gingerly to avoid pulling any wires loose. Push the switch into position.
Step 6
Reinsert the mounting screws to attach the dimmer switch to the junction box. Before putting the face plate back on, go back to your circuit breaker and turn your power back on and test your work. If it doesn’t work, check your wiring. Make sure you’ve matched like with like.
Now, you're ready for a little ambiance. Relax and enjoy dinner with your friends and family, or show off your dimmer installation skills to your best friend and show her how to do it!
Hugs 'n hammers,
Jane
For detailed project information and more great project ideas, visit www.BeJane.com.
