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If the new dimmer switch has a metal faceplate then you will also need to connect the earth to the earth terminal on the faceplate. Tap: This type of dimmer uses a tap control to switch the lights on and off, and then another method to adjust the illumination. For example, the Kasa HS220, our best smart dimmer, works with Alexa and Google Home, but not with HomeKit. If your smart home is powered by Apple’s HomeKit, you’ll find that the Kasa HS220 just won’t work correctly. In that case, consider the very similar Kasa KS220 that works with HomeKit. Most incandescent and halogen bulbs are compatible with dimmers, but generally CFL’s (or compact fluorescent lights) or those that are controlled by a transformer generally don’t, unless they are made specifically for use with dimmer switches. This is primarily a single pole switch, which means it’s easiest to use in a configuration where it doesn’t share control of the lights with any other switches. It is possible to use in 3-way installations with a mechanical switch, but that takes a little extra work. It requires different wiring from a traditional dimmer switch, so you’ll have to discard your preexisting knowledge and pay close attention to the instructions if you’re familiar with how 3-way wiring is supposed to work. The hidden benefit is that this switch is actually designed for multi-location dimming in up to 10 locations if you use Maestro Companion dimmer switches instead of traditional dimmer or mechanical switches.
Once done, put the 2 screws to one side and pull the faceplate away and turn it to reveal the internals on the rear of the face.
Tools and Materials for Fitting a Dimmer Switch
Traditionally, dimmer switches used a variable resistor that essentially restricts the flow of electricity by converting it to heat. This not only caused the resistor to get hot but also, this was a massive waste of electricity. In this DIY guide we look at how to fit a dimmer switch in place of a standard light switch. Regulations for Fitting Dimmer Switches Today, modern dimmer switches are much more efficient and instead of using a resistor, essentially turns the light on and off very rapidly every second. As both UK and US electricity is AC (alternating current) it turns from positive to negative every cycle. Once the power to the circuit and switch are isolated, the next job is to use a flat blade screwdriver to unscrew the 2 screws on the front of the faceplate. our dimmer switches have a soft start function that slowly brings the lights to the set level in about 1-2 seconds, prolonging the life of your bulbs
The names refer to the way in which they control light levels. As mentioned above, modern dimmer switches work by rapidly cutting the supply of electricity to the light half way through it’s cycle when the current hits zero. Modern dimmer switches use this cycle to determine when to turn the light off. At the point that the switch from positive to negative happens there will be zero voltage and this is when the switch cuts the power. Once correctly positioned, pop each screw through each hole and then screw it up tight, ensuring that it’s level. Step 6 – Test SwitchAdding a dimmer switch to a lighting setup, or replacing an old one with a newer model, can transform the look and feel of a room. “Dimmers are most useful in areas where you want to create ambiances, such as social areas, bedrooms, hallways, and bathrooms,” says Freddy Sampayo, chief technology officer of Schaller Tech. “It's also useful to think about spaces where you'd be annoyed to turn on the light when waking up groggily in the middle of the night.” Smart dimmers: Use smart automation technology and wifi to enable you to control a single or set of lights using an app This article was written by Jeremy Laukkonen, a freelance writer for The Spruce. Laukkonen has more than a decade of experience writing about and reviewing consumer technology. He prefers smart light switches and bulbs, because who has time these days to operate the lights manually? His writing has also appeared in Digital Trends, Lifewire, and Entertainment Weekly.
Fitting a dimmer switch in place of an existing standard light switch is a fairly easy and straight forward job as long as you know what you are doing. If you have a metal face plate for your switch there should also be a green and yellow earth wire to a small terminal on this. If not then it should be connected to the metal box in the wall called a pattress box. If the pattress box is plastic then it should be screwed into the earth terminal somewhere inside. Gold’s a great way to inject a bit of oomph into a room, and this brass LED dimmer switch does it perfectly. The brushed brass plate is gold-like in appearance, but it’s not too shiny so there’s no worry that it’ll hog the limelight. It’s all about subtlety. Then come the dimmer knobs with their beautiful knurled edges and sleek front. The knurling serves a practical purpose too – it makes the knobs really tactile and easy to turn. And because we couldn’t decide which colour knob to add (they all look bloomin’ great), we thought we’d let you choose, that way you can make sure it’s absolutely spot on for your interior style.Traditional dimmers are only designed to work with incandescent lights, although some also work with halogen, while LED dimmers are designed specifically for LED bulbs. “Traditional dimmers, which typically use knobs, usually absorb the energy not sent to the light,” says Sampayo. “For instance, if you dim your light to 30 percent, the remaining 70 percent is wasted by the regular dimmer in the form of heat. Your energy consumption remains at 100 percent.” That works with incandescent lights that exhibit reduced brightness when provided with less energy, but LED bulbs placed in that same situation won’t light at all, or may exhibit unwanted behaviors. There are numerous different types of modern dimmer switch, but essentially they can be broken down into 2 main types: Smart home integration can provide you with a lot of options that aren’t available from a traditional dimmer switch. “Smart switches have gained popularity in the era of home automation,” says Brady. “They can be controlled remotely and integrated into smart home systems.” If that sounds interesting, then you may want to consider a smart dimmer. Brady cautions that it's important to pay special attention to compatibility, as smart dimmers are typically designed to work with smart home systems. Additionally, Sampayo points out that determining how many LED lights you can put on a single dimmer switch is a little complicated. “LEDs have a high current spike when switched on, and this varies among manufacturers. So, the rule is: Don't count the watts directly!” Instead, Sampayo recommends multiplying the total wattage of the LED bulbs by 7, adding a safety margin of 20 percent, and then selecting a switch that meets or exceeds those requirements. The most important requirement when installing a dimmer switch is a neutral wire, because a lot of modern dimmers require a neutral wire. Homes built prior to 1985 typically won’t have a neutral wire unless the wiring has been updated and brought up to code, so this is an important consideration.
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