UK Help with wiring dimmer switch

[Jamesdavidg]

Hi. I am not an electrician. After some advice. I am changing a light switch in my house from a single on/off switch to a dimmer switch. When removing the old switch, there are 3 of each wire. 3 blue, 3 brown and 3 earth. The dimmer switch has 3 connections. L1, L2 and an arrow with a wavy line. Please could you let me know how I connect this as I've tried already and every time I turn the switch off, the fuse box trips. Thanks for your help.

 

[westward10]

Trial and error will solve it.

 

[Jamesdavidg]

You have created a line to neutral short across the dimmer and it will be sheer luck if it still functions. The blues must be kept separate in their own connector, not to the switch. The line in and out go to L1 (two of the browns) and the other brown, line to light goes to the squiggly terminal. Question is which brown is which now. I would use the old switch to sort the browns you only have three options for them to be correct. When correct all other lights from that circuit will function with the switch off, nothing should trip but some lights may not function if connected incorrectly. Then transfer wires to new switch.

Thanks so much for your help. I have tried the above and tried the different brown wires but no luck. The swith doesn't work and none of the lights in the upstairs of my house work either. Have I broken something? Fuse box is fine and has not tripped.

 

[westward10]

Use the old switch to sort the browns. It is highly likely the new switch is blown. Can you show a picture of your consumer unit.

 

[Jamesdavidg]

Use the old switch to sort the browns. It is highly likely the new switch is blown. Can you show a picture of your consumer unit.

Ok, so I have the old switch working again now and also the other lights upstairs. See attached photos.

 

[littlespark]

If everything is working fine now, then the two browns together are your lives.
The single brown is your switchwire up to the light. Tag this one with a bit of red tape or something.

Try the dimmer again, with the two lives inL1 and the single brown in the wavy line terminal.... Again, L2 isnt used in this instance.

If it doesnt work, then either, you HAVE fried the dimmer, or the load isnt suitable for a dimmer switch, (ie, is the bulb a CFL or LED.... )

 

[westward10]

That seems fine although the two browns should be in the Com terminal but that isn't important. As above with regard to retrying the dimmer.

 

[westward10]

Have you sorted it.

 

[buzzlightyear]

Have you sorted it.

I think he still in the dark.lol.

 

[Jamesdavidg]

I think he still in the dark.lol.

Thanks you all for your kind help. I eventually sorted it this morning. I had blown the dimmer switch, managed to get the old swtich back on and working by trial and error. Got a new dimmer switch today, wired it correctly after your advice and I am now sorted. Thank you again so much for all jumping in to help me so quickly. I have learnt my lesson abt wiring. Cheers all, have a great weekend.

 

[buzzlightyear]

Thanks you all for your kind help. I eventually sorted it this morning. I had blown the dimmer switch, managed to get the old swtich back on and working by trial and error. Got a new dimmer switch today, wired it correctly after your advice and I am now sorted. Thank you again so much for all jumping in to help me so quickly. I have learnt my lesson abt wiring. Cheers all, have a great weekend.

its nice for you to admit where you have cocked up , idlest you have learnt a lesson .

 

[telectrix]

Thanks you all for your kind help. I eventually sorted it this morning. I had blown the dimmer switch, managed to get the old swtich back on and working by trial and error. Got a new dimmer switch today, wired it correctly after your advice and I am now sorted. Thank you again so much for all jumping in to help me so quickly. I have learnt my lesson abt wiring. Cheers all, have a great weekend.

good you sorted it. but next time, mark the wires ( 1,2,3, or different colour tape) and take a photo before disconnecting.