Replacing an intermediate switcher with a dimmer?

[airvine115]

Hi,
I'm living in the UK and over the weekend I've been replacing downlights in my sunroom with LED's. When I went to replace the switch with a dimmer I noticed the switch is an intermediate, although I'm not able to locate the other switches. After searching the house I can only find the one swich for those lights?





My dimmer switch has this configuration:



And the wires are like this:



I've tried a couple of different combinations but can't get it to work?

Am I missing something obvious?

Thanks in advance

 

[westward10]

Where were those blacks originally connected.

 

[airvine115]

They were joined together with a terminal strip

 

[westward10]

Doubtful then the intermediate switch is acting as an intermediate if that is the only switch for the circuit. The blacks need connecting together at a separate connector, not the switch. Connect one red to L1, the other to the centre terminal. The earths also need connecting to the earth terminal of the switch.

 

[airvine115]

Doubtful then the intermediate switch is acting as an intermediate if that is the only switch for the circuit. The blacks need connecting together at a separate connector, not the switch. Connect one red to L1, the other to the centre terminal. The earths also need connecting to the earth terminal of the switch.

Yes, I can't find another switch for those lights. So one red in L1, the other in COM, the blacks in a terminal strip and the earths in the switch instead of the box - I'll give it a go, cheers

 

[westward10]

Let us know if it functions.

 

[airvine115]

Yes, I can't find another switch for those lights. So one red in L1, the other in COM, the blacks in a terminal strip and the earths in the switch instead of the box - I'll give it a go, cheers

Hi there, just did the above configuration and the switch isn't functioning. Does the picture below look like what you were suggesting?

 

[westward10]

Did you at anytime connect the blacks to the dimmer switch.

 

[airvine115]

Did you at anytime connect the blacks to the dimmer switch.

...yep

 

[westward10]

Possible the dimmer is now u/s. Do you have an ordinary light switch to check the connections are correct to rule that out.

 

[airvine115]

Possible the dimmer is now u/s. Do you have an ordinary light switch to check the connections are correct to rule that out.

Yes, the original intermediate switch still works. Very possible the dimmer switch is done as I did try a lot of different wiring configurations.

 

[westward10]

Yes I suspect that to be the case you have shorted live and neutral across it.
Reconnect the blacks so all that copper isn't showing, cut the old twisted ends off.

 

[airvine115]

Yes I suspect that to be the case you have shorted live and neutral across it.
Reconnect the blacks so all that copper isn't showing, cut the old twisted ends off.

Ah ok, I'll pick up a new one tomorrow and see how that works. Thanks for your help

 

[westward10]

Let us know.

 

[Timbo]

And while you're at it, get a couple of grommets for those holes in the back of the box.