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Index of Pages Wiring Wiring a plug Choosing fuses Choosing flex Chooing cable Preparing a cable Lighting Types of lighting Dimmer switch Wall lighting

Replacing a Light Switch to a Dimmer Switch

SWITCH OFF ELECTRICITY AT THE MAINS

First switch off the mains supply at the consumer unit and remove the fuse for the circuit you are working on. Undo the two fixing screws on the switch and pull out the switch from the mounting box. The existing light switch should have two terminals only. If it has three - one at the top and two at the bottom, then it is a two way switch.

Unscrew the terminals and remove the conductors from the original switch. Replace the conductors in the new dimmer switch in the same positions as the old switch. Ensure the terminals are tight. If the dimmer switch is metal e.g. brass or chrome, then it should have an earth terminal on the metal case. This should be connected with a short length of earth wire to the earth on the mounting box inside the switch.

Replace the new dimmer switch in the mounting box and secure it with the two screws.