Dimmer switch turns on lights but does not dim

[markopolouk]

Our old dimmer switch was buzzing and the led's in the chandelier were flickering so I decided to change it with a new compatible one. But after installing it and using the same wiring method as the exsiting one it would only turn the lights on or off and not dim them, flickering has gone however.

The house is quite old and there is only one light switch in the room.

I have attached photos of the old dimmer wiring and the new one. Basically the 2 reds go into L2 and the yellow goes into the common terminal. I have tried the 2 reds in L1 and L2 but neither dim. I also tried another switch just in case it was faulty but got the same result.

Max rating is 100W and we only have 5x5w LED's in the chandalier. You can't see in the photo but the blue and black wires behind are connected together.

If anyone has any ideas, thanks in advance.

 

[DefyG]

If the 5 lamps are definitely dimmable, I can only assume a faulty unit, as termination is correct.
A non-dimmable lamp may damage a dimmer module.

The back box looks a bit on shallow side for that dimmer!

 

[littlespark]

While we’re at it, the metal faceplate needs earthed, and a through crimp isn’t suitable for non-stranded cables.

Can the lamps in the chandelier be removed and replace one with a traditional filement lamp?
That will prove the dimmer works, and the fault lies with the led lamps

 

[mainline]

through crimp isn’t suitable for non-stranded cables.

Correctly selected and installed crimps are reliable and durable

 

[Jock from the north]

If the 5 lamps are definitely dimmable, I can only assume a faulty unit, as termination is correct.
A non-dimmable lamp may damage a dimmer module.

The back box looks a bit on shallow side for that dimmer!

That must be some tight squeeze ,box looks 25mm at best ,I suppose the plasters adding another 10mm maybe

 

[Jock from the north]

Correctly selected and installed crimps are reliable and durable

When we did a police station in aberdeen we had to crimp cables inside galv trunking we used heat shrink over every crimp or rather was made to by clerk of works it was stranded singles you could pull on it till cable snapped .the ideal push fits seem to be perfect for solid cores .

 

[Jock from the north]

Our old dimmer switch was buzzing and the led's in the chandelier were flickering so I decided to change it with a new compatible one. But after installing it and using the same wiring method as the exsiting one it would only turn the lights on or off and not dim them, flickering has gone however.

The house is quite old and there is only one light switch in the room.

I have attached photos of the old dimmer wiring and the new one. Basically the 2 reds go into L2 and the yellow goes into the common terminal. I have tried the 2 reds in L1 and L2 but neither dim. I also tried another switch just in case it was faulty but got the same result.

Max rating is 100W and we only have 5x5w LED's in the chandalier. You can't see in the photo but the blue and black wires behind are connected together.

If anyone has any ideas, thanks in advance.

View attachment 119356

View attachment 119357

Try moving your reds to l2 to see if it makes any difference even if it does the dimmer is faulty and should be replaced .its more likely the lamps I would think.sorry you've tried that already

 

[ppelec100]

When it comes to dimmers, varilight v pro is my go to. I never fit anything else. Modules or with the front plate depending on the finish required. I’ve never had a problem with them and they have a nice soft start, you can also set the minimum and maximum brightness. Compatible with led, halogen and incandescent lamps

a through crimp isn’t suitable for non-stranded cables.

Really? How comes? I’ve used them before once to break into a ring to fit a socket on the other side of the wall Due to limited space in the backbox I couldn’t use wagos

 

[Jock from the north]

When it comes to dimmers, varilight v pro is my go to. I never fit anything else. Modules or with the front plate depending on the finish required. I’ve never had a problem with them and they have a nice soft start, you can also set the minimum and maximum brightness. Compatible with led, halogen and incandescent lamps



Really? How comes? I’ve used them before once to break into a ring to fit a socket on the other side of the wall Due to limited space in the backbox I couldn’t use wagos

I think what little spark is getting at is when crimped onto solid cable like a 2.5 it can be easily removed just by twisting the cable .when crimped onto stranded you could tow a caravan with it .but I to have crimped solid cables .if I have to crimp 2.5 solid I double it in half and use a yellow 6 mm crimp .if you try it at as an experiment you will see how easily a solid 1mm core will pull out a red crimp just by some twists and turns

 

[Jock from the north]

When it comes to dimmers, varilight v pro is my go to. I never fit anything else. Modules or with the front plate depending on the finish required. I’ve never had a problem with them and they have a nice soft start, you can also set the minimum and maximum brightness. Compatible with led, halogen and incandescent lamps



Really? How comes? I’ve used them before once to break into a ring to fit a socket on the other side of the wall Due to limited space in the backbox I couldn’t use wagos

Orange ideal push fits are perfect for extending a ring inside a box

 

[westward10]

Can we keep this about the dimmer switch issue.

 

[Jock from the north]

Can we keep this about the dimmer switch issue.

Sorry .I have a varilight dimmer switch and it's perfect had it for 5 years controling 6 10 watt Collingwood downlights and there's no noise it's absolutely seamless and has been compatible with every led lamp I've fitted it to .maybe the op should go down that route .if the lamps dimmed before then surely has to be dimmer .lap is more of a miss than a hit

 

[Jock from the north]

If the 5 lamps are definitely dimmable, I can only assume a faulty unit, as termination is correct.
A non-dimmable lamp may damage a dimmer module.

The back box looks a bit on shallow side for that dimmer!

Just looking at old dimmer minimum load was 40 Watts so may have explained your flickering issues

 

[brianmoooore]

That must be some tight squeeze ,box looks 25mm at best ,I suppose the plasters adding another 10mm maybe

Oval knockouts, so 16mm. Just as well the plaster was laid on thick.