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Install A
Dimmer Switch |
Removing The Old Switch: Turn off
the power at your main power box. Take off the plastic cover
switch. Next test to see if the electricity was completely
shut off by touching the wires and terminals (screws located
at the side of the switch) with a voltage indicator. If the
indicator’s light goes on, you still have power and must go
back to the power box and turn off the correct circuit
breaker or fuse.
Remove the screws that attach the switch to the outlet box.
Pull out the switch a little, but remember the switch is not
completely free because it is still attached to the wires.
Gently pull the switch out of the box so you have some room
to work with the wires. Use a screwdriver to loosen the
terminals (screws) on the switch and unwind the wires from
around the screws. If the wires were inserted into the holes
in the back of the switch, place a small screwdriver into
the slot located next to each hole to release the wires.
Remove the old switch.
Installing The Switch: Connect the wires that were
attached to the single pole switch with the wires from the
dimmer switch. You will need about ½” of bare wire to
connect them, so you may have to use a wire stripper to
strip the insulation from the wires on the original switch.
Connect the green or copper ground wires from the outlet box
to the dimmer switch by placing them side by side in your
hand and slightly twisting the tops of the wires together.
Place an electrical cap (or wire nut) on top, covering both
wires, and screw the cap clockwise until it is tight. Take
one of the black wires from the dimmer switch and connect it
to the black wire from the outlet box, twisting them as you
did for the green wires. Place an electrical cap on top,
covering both wires, and screw the cap clockwise until it is
tight. Repeat the same steps for the white wires. Be careful
to check that all the caps are tight and no bare wires are
exposed. Make sure the ground wire is not touching the other
wires. Gently push the wires and dimmer switch back into
place and screw it into the outlet box. Turn on the power at
the main power box. Use a voltage indicator to check to see
if the switch is receiving electricity. Screw on the outlet
cover.
If the new switch does not work, turn off the main power and
repeat all steps. If it still doesn’t work, call an
electrician.
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