The proper lighting can be just the comfort you need at the end of a long day or when you are settling into your new home. Handyman in Galway explains how to install the perfect device for this task. Dimmer switches are the technology you need.
Dimmer switches explain what they do.
You can adjust the brightness of your lighting body with a dimmer switch, just like with any other standard light switch. Different types of dimmer switches require various installations.
There are several types of dimmers.
Some many different dimmers and categories can be mixed and customized to meet the needs of each individual.
- Dimmers with only one pole–for one room.
- Several rooms can be dimmed simultaneously with three-way dimmers.
- Dimmers with multi-location control that can dim lights in up to four rooms.
- Dimmers come in many shapes and sizes depending on the bulbs they use:
- Fluorescent dimmer bulbs;
- Halogen bulbs;
- Incandescent bulbs;
- Magnetic low-frequency bulbs;
- Electronic low-frequency bulbs;
- LED bulbs.
Please consult an electrician for additional questions if your dimmer does not work well with your light bulb. Dimmers can be controlled in several ways, depending on the control style:
Rotating dimmers, where you turn a knot to adjust the brightness of the bulb.
If you choose to use toggle dimmers, however, you should note that the brightness level in these models is fixed and you can only choose from a few preset levels.
In a straight line, slide dimmers are the same as rotary dimmers.
Dimmers with a touchpad on which you can adjust the brightness by tapping with a finger.
What You Need to Know About Installing Dimmer Switches
Once you’ve chosen the switch that suits your needs best, you need to install it. You should always hire a certified electrician to do all electrical work. Generally speaking, a dimmer replaces a light switch:
The electricity supply must be turned off. When working on an electrical project, don’t start working in an area with an active electrical current.
Replace the old switch with a new one. Pull the switch gently away from the wall plate by unscrewing the wall plate. A white bundle of wires should be visible. Check the voltage with a voltage tester to ensure power is not reaching the circuit (even if the electricity has been turned off, better safe than sorry). Locate a wire labeled “common” and note it. Make sure all cables are disconnected.
The new dimmer switch should be connected. The ground wires from your single-pole dimmers must be connected to bare copper or green wires inside the wall box. The ends of the wires are twisted together, and the wire connector nuts are capped. The wire ends should be secured with wire nuts. The black dimmer wire should only be connected to the wire tagged “common” with electrical tape removed. Connect the rest.
Wall-plates need to be replaced. Replacing the electrical box slowly with the wires will help do the job. To install the dimmer, tighten the screws. You can remove the knob from a dimmer by gently pulling it outward before attaching the wall plate if the knob is removable. The mounting screws holding the wall plate to the switch should be tightened if the dimmer has a separate wall plate.
Test the dimmer by turning on the electricity.
What to do If You Have a Dimmer Switch That Doesn’t Work
You can also go back to using the standard on/off switch if you get tired of having to think about another thing, like the brightness in your room. The following are the steps:
- Ensure the power is off. Electricity must be turned off whenever you work on electrical equipment.
- The switch panel must be removed by removing the screws. Screwdrivers are commonly available.
- Make sure the wires are voltage-tested. While you should turn off the electricity, you should also check for residual electricity. Unexpected shocks are possible with it.
- From the box, remove the dimmer switch. You can remove the wire splice connectors by pulling the dimmer switch out of the wall with an ordinary screwdriver.
- The standard switch should be attached. Wrap the ground cable around the green screw on the traditional switch. A black wire should be wrapped around a brass screw at the side of the standard controller. Another black wire should be attached to the other brass screw of the traditional switch.
- Into the switch box, push the new switch. Securing the whole bundle inside the wall and screwing the panel back on should be done with care.
- Connect the new switch to the power and test it.
An annual inspection of your electricity supply is a must if you own a home. If you forget some of these things, the Fantastic Handyman checklist will help you remember.