3 Way Switch/Dimmer Installation Help

zachp04 · May 16, 2020

Hey There,

I am trying to install a new wall dimmer to replace my old one. (I needed something LED compatible.) [Pictures at link below for reference to following description] On the old dimmer, there were 2 wires coming off it. One wire joined to 3 wires coming out of the wall. (2 black, 1 red). The second wire coming off the old one joined with 1 black wire. There did not appear to be a ground.

On the new dimmer, there are 4 wires. See attached photo album below for a reference. With the exception of the ground wire, I am not sure where these fit in with the old wires. Any help would be appreciated, and please ask for any additional info.

Photo Album (3 Pics):

https://imgur.com/a/Mm7oXDs

View: https://Upload the image directly to the thread.com/a/Mm7oXDs

Megawatt · May 24, 2020

zachp04 said:
Hey There,

I am trying to install a new wall dimmer to replace my old one. (I needed something LED compatible.) [Pictures at link below for reference to following description] On the old dimmer, there were 2 wires coming off it. One wire joined to 3 wires coming out of the wall. (2 black, 1 red). The second wire coming off the old one joined with 1 black wire. There did not appear to be a ground.

On the new dimmer, there are 4 wires. See attached photo album below for a reference. With the exception of the ground wire, I am not sure where these fit in with the old wires. Any help would be appreciated, and please ask for any additional info.

Photo Album (3 Pics):
View: https://Upload the image directly to the thread.com/a/Mm7oXDs

Zach we cannot see your switch wiring

zachp04 · May 24, 2020

Megawatt said:
Zach we cannot see your switch wiring

I have attached the images to this post.

[ElectriciansForums.net] 3 Way Switch/Dimmer Installation Help

Megawatt · May 24, 2020

zachp04 said:
I have attached the images to this post.
View attachment 58363 View attachment 58364 View attachment 58365

Zach what I’m looking at is the black on the switch is the live wire and the 2 reds are the wire that turns on the light the red with the label appears to be an extra switch leg so just tape it up

telectrix · May 24, 2020

or could be the dimmer requires a N, so it would be Lin, Lout (reds) and N (black) with green for ground. what does it say on that label?.

westward10 · May 24, 2020

Black should be hot/common and the reds travelers.

Megawatt · May 24, 2020

telectrix said:
or could be the dimmer requires a N, so it would be Lin, Lout (reds) and N (black) with green for ground. what does it say on that label?.

Tell in the US if it required a neutral it would have a white wire
[automerge]1590351766[/automerge]

zachp04 said:
Hey There,

I am trying to install a new wall dimmer to replace my old one. (I needed something LED compatible.) [Pictures at link below for reference to following description] On the old dimmer, there were 2 wires coming off it. One wire joined to 3 wires coming out of the wall. (2 black, 1 red). The second wire coming off the old one joined with 1 black wire. There did not appear to be a ground.

On the new dimmer, there are 4 wires. See attached photo album below for a reference. With the exception of the ground wire, I am not sure where these fit in with the old wires. Any help would be appreciated, and please ask for any additional info.

Photo Album (3 Pics):
View: https://Upload the image directly to the thread.com/a/Mm7oXDs

Zach do you have the paper work that come with the switch. If so take a picture of the wiring diagram
[automerge]1590352787[/automerge]

westward10 said:
Black should be hot/common and the reds travelers.

Westward he didn’t say that it was a 3 way switch but I use red as travelers when I do wire a 3 way but in this particular case no.
[automerge]1590353064[/automerge]

Megawatt said:
Tell in the US if it required a neutral it would have a white wire
[automerge]1590351766[/automerge]

Zach do you have the paper work that come with the switch. If so take a picture of the wiring diagram
[automerge]1590352787[/automerge]

Westward he didn’t say that it was a 3 way switch but I use red as travelers when I do wire a 3 way but in this particular case no.

According to the NEC you can only use white or gray as a neutral and gray would be for 277vac

westward10 · May 24, 2020

His existing switches are not three way but the dimmer switch has the capability of being so, it is however suitable for use at his existing arrangement providing the unused traveler is made safe.

zachp04 · May 25, 2020

westward10 said:
His existing switches are not three way but the dimmer switch has the capability of being so, it is however suitable for use at his existing arrangement providing the unused traveler is made safe.

What would be required in order for it to be "made safe"?

Megawatt · May 25, 2020

zachp04 said:
What would be required in order for it to be "made safe"?

Tape the unused wire which would be compliant

3 Way Switch/Dimmer Installation Help

zachp04

Megawatt

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zachp04

Megawatt

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telectrix

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westward10

Megawatt

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westward10

zachp04

Megawatt

-

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