Why Does This Dimmer Switch Not Work Correctly?

gslonesoldier84 · Aug 28, 2021

Three images are attached here. Two show the dimmer switch connections and one shows one of the two light fittings.

There are two identical light fittings (six total bulbs) on this dimmer switch. It has one knob only but it sorta works. It's been like this for some time but I think it's how I wired it that's the problem.

There are two identical light fittings and I bought this dimmer switch:

Screwless Antique Brass LED Dimmer Switch (2 Gang)

This 150W dimmer is a 2 gang push on/off brass LED dimmer switch with matching Screwless brass dimmer switch cover. The brass switch plate has an antique brass brushed effect.

socketstore.co.uk

But they sent one with only one knob. I didn't think anything of it as the lights do turn on with this dimmer switch. It just takes a really long time and sometimes up to like 15 times pressing the switch to get the lights to turn on.

Is it wired incorrectly? Is the dimmer switch actually the wrong one sent out?

Please help!

Thank you!

westward10 · Aug 28, 2021

If your original switch had two switches then your new dimmer needs two switches. You have managed to incorporate two switching circuits into one, you need a dimmer with two switches and not one.

freddo · Aug 28, 2021

And install it so there isn't copper hanging out of the terminals, and connect the earth wire to the front plate etc.

Avo Mk8 · Aug 28, 2021

The light bulbs you show seem to be 'Edison' filament types. If they are say 40Watts each, and you have two fittings with 3 bulbs each, that's a 240 Watt load on a 120 Watt dimmer.
Even if they are 25 watt bulbs, that is still more than the rating of the dimmer.
Dont join two lighting circuits like that, but I think the fundamental problem is the single dimmer is not rated for the load you have. Had you received the dual version, no problem!

Markyd · Aug 29, 2021

Those pics.....my eyes are bleeding

DefyG · Aug 29, 2021

gslonesoldier84 said:
but it sorta works.

It may switch on and off and possibly dim but with a load potentially double that of the rated dimmer capacity it might not sorta work for too long.
Please tidy up those terminations and earth the front plate, there is a terminal for the earth, its not just for show!

telectrix · Aug 29, 2021

and it's probably not you (OP) that's done it, but untwist those bloody conductors. twisting is for the likes of chubby checker and impressionable teenagers.

gslonesoldier84 · Aug 29, 2021

Hi

Thank you for responding!

Quickly:

My confidence to attempt electrical works has gone up immensely after I have read the answers to my question here!

Now, for the resolution, I've taken the first step of requesting the right dimmer switch be sent to me with this email sent to the people I bought it from via socketstore.co.uk:

An invoice is attached here. The Screwless Antique Brass LED Dimmer Switch (2 Gang) was not received. Instead, I received two of the single dimmer switches. The one in the image had two dimmer knobs. The ones I received only had one each. I thought there was no error (for some reason which I've forgotten now) and proceeded to install the switches.

You can find the problems that resulted from this error in this thread which I have started on electriciansforums.net:

Why Does This Dimmer Switch Not Work Correctly? | on ElectriciansForums

Find Why Does This Dimmer Switch Not Work Correctly? Advice and Help. How-to Why Does This Dimmer Switch Not Work Correctly? in the UK Electrical Forum advice boards on ElectriciansForums.net | Free Electrical Advice - Electricians Forums: Electricians' Talk Forums. Why Does This Dimmer...

www.electriciansforums.net

I understand it has been some time since the order, but the reason for this is primarily due to lack of time as I just installed what came and didn't have time to go back and correct anything. I thought it might start working correctly after the dimmer switch was programmed which it hasn't been still. But the problem is the switch itself that was sent out was the wrong one.

Please send the Screwless Antique Brass LED Dimmer Switch (2 Gang) which I paid for but never received. Also, please advise on what you would like me to do with the single switch which was sent in its place.

This is the switch I need to be sent to me in order to correct the problem with the installation:

Screwless Antique Brass LED Dimmer Switch (2 Gang)

This 150W dimmer is a 2 gang push on/off brass LED dimmer switch with matching Screwless brass dimmer switch cover. The brass switch plate has an antique brass brushed effect.

socketstore.co.uk

ipf · Aug 29, 2021

gslonesoldier84 said:
Hi
Thank you for responding!
Quickly:
My confidence to attempt electrical works has gone up immensely after I have read the answers to my question here!

Desponding, more like.

gslonesoldier84 · Aug 29, 2021

ipf said:
Desponding, more like.

No, responding!

I hadn't considered that a great deal of support is available to make sense of electrical cables and connections.

telectrix · Aug 29, 2021

it's not complicated, just witchcraft. that's why electricians attend Hogwort for 4 years to get qualified.

gslonesoldier84 · Aug 29, 2021

telectrix said:
it's not complicated, just witchcraft. that's why electricians attend Hogwort for 4 years to get qualified.

Pfft.

[ElectriciansForums.net] Why Does This Dimmer Switch Not Work Correctly?

telectrix · Aug 29, 2021

gslonesoldier84 said:
Pfft.

looks like a standard USA installation. that's why they have so many GFCIs scattered around.

gslonesoldier84 · Aug 31, 2021

The correct dimmer switch is on the way.

Response to email with technical content regarding dimmer switch:

Thank you for your email.

I am sorry to learn that the incorrect item had been sent to you and that there is also an issue with the item. We do usually ask for our customer to notify us within three days of receiving the order, if there has been a error.

However, on this occasion, I will arrange for 1 x LAB512 to be sent as a replacement. Please note these dimmers do have three different setting available and one of the settings should work with the lamps you have chosen to use. The dimmers have a maximum wattage load of 120W or a maximum of 10 lamps on each of the gangs on the dimmer.

As long as the load and number of lamps is correct, the dimmer should then work correctly. A copy of the instructions is included with the item. If they are not there, please let us know and we can send them via email.

Once the replacement has been received, the other item can be dispose of. There is no need for you to return the item back to us.

I am sorry for any inconvenience that has been caused and if there is anything else I can help with, please do let me know.

gslonesoldier84 · Sep 18, 2021

All fixed! No explosions yet. There was a fire initially when I hit the fusebox switches all back on. But after it burned itself out, there's only been the odd spark here or there.

If there's any problems, I'll update accordingly. But it works! Thank you!