Double Dimmer Switch advice

[Badladdie]

Hi all

i live in an old Victorian terrace and am changing a double dimmer switch which controls a main light and two side lights.

coming out of the wall are two red wires and a gray wire (black on the inside).



The new dimmer has two boxes, each with l1, l2 and a third port with two arrows.



There is also a small loose wire used to join the two boxes.

what is the correct way to wire this up?

all help appreciated

 

[Deleted member 9648]

As you are fitting a metal plate switch it MUST be connected to an effective earth,whilst I can see an earth onto the box you should also fit a link wire from the box to the earthing terminal on the metal plate.It is essential to test the earth to make sure it is actually an earth,if you dont have the means to do this I would suggest you get an electrician to do this for you,an unearthed switch like this is potentially dangerous.
The second thing that is apparent from your pics is that the back box is not deep enough for your dimmer,forcing it back into that box will result in pinched wires and faults.It needs to be replaced for a 35mm deep flush box.
For the above reasons I would suggest you get an electrician to replace the box and switch and test the earth to be sure the finished job is safe....whilst it may seem a simple job to you an unearthed metal plate switch forced back into a too shallow box is potentially a killer.

 

[Badladdie]

Thanks Wirepuller

First thing I'll do today is call an electrician

cheers