How to replace a dimmer switch with a standard switch?
Q. I am trying to change my dimmer switch to a standard switch. The dimmer switch only has 2 black wires in it. There are red and yellow wire nuts inside. I do not know how to do this. please help! Thanks How do I know which wire goes where or does that matter?
Asked by Rebecca - Tue May 18 03:01:29 2010 - - 4 Answers - 0 Comments
Best way to put a dimmer switch in a foyer for temporary purpose?
Q. I have a chandelier in my foyer that is operated by two switches (I have a 4 switch at the front door and a single switch by the kitchen). I am having a party and need to dim this chandelier for one night. I know how to replace a switch but what is the best way to get my results? Do I put a dimmer in the single and disconnect the other?
Asked by cegi - Thu Aug 26 22:06:42 2010 - - 2 Answers - 0 Comments
How can I add a dimmer switch to a portable light?
Q. I want to use an incandescent light as a portable worklight (extension cord and cage to cover bulb) but I want to add a dimmer switch of some kind to vary the amount of light given off. I want to use this for movies so it can't be built in to a wall. Are there any portable dimmer switches?
Asked by argh.pirate - Fri Aug 31 13:50:33 2007 - - 3 Answers - 0 Comments

A. I am not sure if there are any commercially made add-on dimmer switches out there, but it would be easy enough to make one. Go to Home Depot, buy a 6' piece of #14/3 rubber cord. Make sure it has a black, a white, and a green wire in it. Buy a dimmer, a small switch box (I recommend a handy box with 1/2" knockouts) and switch plate to fit the handy box, get two squeeze connectors for 1/2" knockouts, a male cord cap with three prongs, and a female cord cap with three prongs. (you could buy a 14 guage extension cord to take the place of the 14/3 cord, and cord caps, to save time, and maybe money, but be sure you get a grounded one with 3 prongs for your safety) Cut the 14/3 wire about 16" from one end, and strip the wires on one end to… [cont.]
Answered by Racefan - Fri Aug 31 14:11:55 2007

Why is my dimmer switching making my switch plate hot?
Q. I have a Lutron dimmer switch hooked up to 8 recessed lights. I know that the dimmer switch is at least 600watts. Each of the 8 recessed lights is 65watts. Is it normal for the dimmer switch to make the switch plate hot after a couple of hours of being on? Thanks for your help.
Asked by Chad S - Sun Jun 29 10:51:05 2008 - - 6 Answers - 0 Comments

A. A dimmer switch is not a variable resistor. It is usually a triac or other active circuitry where you are varying the waveshape to reduce the voltage. A variable resistor would consume much more power than you would like and would be much hotter than your dimmer switch now is. However to answer your question, yes it is normal for them to heat up, but you should not have any problem holding your hand on it. If it is hotter than that you need a higher power dimmer switch.
Answered by Wired - Sun Jun 29 12:49:33 2008

Can you put a dimmer switch on a 3-way circuit?
Q. Hubby and I were planning on putting a dimmer switch in our bedroom, bet we weren't sure if you could put one in if you've got a 3-way circuit. Does anyone know if you can?? Thanks in advance!!
Asked by MsJenn521 - Sun Feb 25 18:04:01 2007 - - 9 Answers - 0 Comments

A. You bet you can. Just go to your local Home Depot and tell them you want a three way dimmer!
Answered by Bare B - Sun Feb 25 18:07:30 2007

Can you put a dimmer switch on an extention cord? If so how?
Q. Can you put a dimmer switch on an extention cord? If so how? I wanna be able to control my light. but i dont want to cut open the cord on the light, so i thought maybe put it on the extension cord instead? is it possible? will it be hard?
Asked by drainpipe000 - Tue Sep 25 15:48:22 2007 - - 5 Answers - 1 Comments

A. This is what you need
Answered by Kris_B - Tue Sep 25 19:19:24 2007

Can I wire a dimmer switch to an outlet on the ceiling that rope lights will be plugged in to?
Q. I am putting the rope lights behind crown molding. I am installing an outlet behind the crown that the lights will be plugged in to. If I wire a dimmer switch to the outlet will it dim the rope lights? Will dimming the rope lights work?
Asked by crewcap2003 - Sun Oct 22 10:55:41 2006 - - 7 Answers - 3 Comments

A. dimmer switches will work on all lights except florescent lighting. They work on ceiling fans, about anything electrical except florescent which has to have the maximum voltage to start and maintain their usage.
Answered by Chuck C - Sun Oct 22 11:00:19 2006

Can one light bulb in a series of eight recessed lights cause a dimmer switch to stop working?
Q. I built a bulkhead above my kitchen counters and installed recessed lighting that runs off of an on/off switch with a dimmer control. After the first light bulb burned out, the dimmer function stopped working. Now they will only turn on and off, but not dim. Is this because of the burned out light bulb or is something wrong with the switch?
Asked by jDAGger - Sun Dec 16 09:42:54 2007 - - 3 Answers - 0 Comments

A. If the lights are wired in series none of them should work at all if one is burned out or missing. If they are actually wired in parallel the dimmer should still be working.
Answered by Charles C - Sun Dec 16 10:19:13 2007

Adding a dimmer switch to a light?
Q. In my basement, I have a light at the top and anothe light at the bottom of the stairs. I also have a wall switch by each light. The way it's wired allows you to turn each light on or off from either the top or bottom of the stairs. Should I be able to add a dimmer switch to the lights?
Asked by recruiter74 - Wed Sep 5 13:54:07 2007 - - 6 Answers - 0 Comments

A. Yes you can. Buy one or two, 3 way dimmer switches. I'm not sure why you would want to dim the stairway lights, but it will certainly work. You can replace one or both switches with the 3 way dimmers.
Answered by John himself - Wed Sep 5 23:30:19 2007

Can anyone help replacing a dimmer switch?
Q. I am replacing a dimmer switch. It has 2 black wires, a red wire and the ground wire. The replacement switch I have has 2 black wires and a green wire. How do I hook it up? Can I replace it with a simple on/off switch? Thanks in advance!
Asked by Todd and Kim H - Wed Jul 21 10:45:05 2010 - - 4 Answers - 0 Comments

A. Licensed Electrician, You have the wrong switch. You have a 3 way switch, just go pick up a single action switch and replace 1 wire at a time you can do it. No problem. Good Luck it really is easy just make sure you turn the breaker off
Answered by knuckle nutt - Wed Jul 21 10:52:18 2010

Where can I find a narrow dimmer switch?
Q. I have a narrow light switch that I would like to replace with a dimmer, however I can't find a narrow dimmer switch anywhere! Any ideas?
Asked by Simon G - Sun Jul 19 08:18:50 2009 - - 3 Answers - 0 Comments

A. try looking in home improvement stores.
Answered by smokey - Sun Jul 19 14:25:52 2009

SAAB 900 1996 How does the dash board dimmer switch affect the starter motor?
Q. It seems I have a short with the rheostat dimmer switch and can actually start the car with the dimmer switch and key in on/run position. Is this something that can be fixed by replacing the switch or does it mean tracing the wires?
Asked by Martin J - Thu Sep 25 01:12:36 2008 - - 3 Answers - 0 Comments

A. EBB that was funny,,, but it sounds like some wires are fused together & that could be a growing problem /w each start & drive, yes U need to trace those wires to find the source of fusion and replace each wire to its correct port/w the correct wire guage size & seal them/w a wire housing(like certain wires under the hood)or thick elec. tape (you can do it yoursself) & try to find th source of heat that caused the fusion,,,so you had the 1st start/stop button control...in 96? hahahaha lol
Answered by RAY JAY - Thu Sep 25 13:01:08 2008

Can I alter a dimmer light switch ?
Q. I have a Lutron Diva DV-600 dimmer switch. It has an orange glow indicater light. I want to take the swith apart and somehow dissable this orange glow light. Is this possibe and safe to do? They do not sell them with out the indicater lights. New home and new slide dimmer switch and no switch to turn off.
Asked by tbear - Fri Oct 27 10:15:58 2006 - - 4 Answers - 0 Comments

A. You could buy another dimmer switch and install it. They have other brands that are similar slide models without the glowlight in them. Usually cost between $8 - $15 dollars at the home stores. I see where it's a new home, perhaps the builder will take care of this for you. Might incur a slight labor charge. You could haggle with them and hope for the best. Good luck.
Answered by Joel A - Fri Oct 27 10:55:02 2006

How can I put pot lights on a dimmer switch?
Q. I have 6 pot lights in my living room. I want to put them on a dimmer switch. How can I do this?
Asked by Betty Humpter - Mon Aug 10 11:56:43 2009 - - 2 Answers - 0 Comments

A. Replace the switch with a dimmer. Relatively easy project. Just remember to turn the power off. I have all of my cans on dimmers. hope this helps.
Answered by woodtick314 - Mon Aug 10 12:01:04 2009

Changing RPM on a power tool using a dimmer switch?
Q. I own a portable power planer but ideally need to adjust the cutter rotation speed. As far as I know all portable planners are fixed with just one speed setting but I have been told that it's possible to change the speed by using a dimmer switch. Essentially cutting the power cable and wiring in the dimmer switch. This probably sounds quite dangerous which is why I would probably get an electrian to do the job if it can be done.
Asked by Antony G - Mon Jun 9 10:54:22 2008 - - 6 Answers - 0 Comments

A. Bad idea, especially if the planer motor is expecting 120 VAC. You runt he risk of overheating/buring out the motor. You can look for a Variable Frequence Drive (a specialized electronic itme that alters the frequency of the power) However the VFD maynot be suitable for your particular motor. Look on the data plate for the motor and contact the manufacturer. May I ask why you want to slow down the planer speed? Regards, Eric
Answered by kravdraa - Mon Jun 9 11:22:19 2008

Is there a way of using a 3 way dimmer switch as a 2 way?
Q. I can't return it. When I flip the on/off toggle switch up the light goes on, which is correct, but when I slide the dimmer up, the light gets dimmer...should be the reverse. Any way of wiring the terminals so the on/off and the dimmer work in the same direction?
Asked by sholom w - Mon Feb 18 07:47:44 2008 - - 2 Answers - 0 Comments

A. On a three way there is no up or down. The position of the other 3 way determines that. That drives some people crazy. In your case, swap the non-common wire to the other terminal. That will swap the functions. There is no problem using it as a 2 way.
Answered by John himself - Mon Feb 18 16:48:37 2008

Can i install a dimmer switch to control my computers' case fan with variable speed?
Q. I just upgraded to a Vantec tornado case fan and its loud as hell. I need it for gaming, but not when im just cruising the internet. Can i use a household dimmer style resistance switch to control the speed. I am running 500W with two lines at 18A each. Any suggestions will help. thx
Asked by iketronic - Fri Jan 9 15:25:56 2009 - - 2 Answers - 0 Comments

A. what jim said you can do..but why work so hard? they have fans that have switches to control your fan speed, i recently bought one with 3 speeds. if you want a quiet one dont buy the cheap ones also, make sure you spend a lilttle bit of money for it! here's the fan with the switch speed control hope u find one you like...just search like case fan speed control !
Answered by 1337 - Sat Jan 10 11:17:04 2009

Eco friendly lighting causing a buzzing noise from the dimmer switch in the wall?
Q. I have 50watt flood lights in my bathroom and when one of them went out I decided to try out eco friendly lighting - only after I replaced them I heard a buzzing coming from the dimmer switch when the lights were dimmed. It goes away when they're all the way up. What's the problem?
Asked by J.Slope - Sun May 31 19:51:40 2009 - - 5 Answers - 0 Comments

A. CFL's don't play well with dimmers, UNLESS they are labeled as dimmable. the noise you hear is the circuity in the dimmer trying to do it's job but is unable to due to the ballast inside the CFL's. (Compact Fluorescent Lighting)
Answered by EagleWatcher - Sun May 31 20:14:44 2009

Is it safe to use a fluorescent light bulb in a socket with a broken dimmer switch?
Q. The dimmer switch no longer does anything - turning the dial to either extremity has no effect on the current (traditional) light globe - would it be safe to pop in an energy saving fluorescent light bulb? Realize that you aren't supposed to use fluorescent bulbs with dimmer switches but in this case...?
Asked by Jabberwocky - Mon Jun 11 02:13:49 2007 - - 4 Answers - 0 Comments

A. dimmer switches are a pain..They do not last long..I would replace the switch with a regular switch and use a small wattage bulb if you want subdued lighting
Answered by Jerry G - Mon Jun 11 02:28:23 2007

can a use a regular dimmer switch to control the speed of a ceiling fan?
Q. can a use a regular dimmer switch to control the speed of a ceiling fan? the fan i have is on a 3 way circuit?
Asked by cam7935 - Thu Aug 21 19:34:39 2008 - - 7 Answers - 0 Comments

A. Just read a book the addressed this question exactly. A regular dimmer switch used to control the speed of a ceiling fan will ruin the motor. Consult the book Wiring a House For Pros by Pros by Rex Cauldwell.
Answered by wildburns8 - Thu Aug 21 22:16:06 2008

From Yahoo Answer Search: 'dimmer switch'
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 Dimmer switch compatibility
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Dimmer switch compatibility

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Sun, 04 Jul 2010 05:22:02 GM

I'm unable to get any low beams (only high beams) and I'm fairly certain I need to replace my . dimmer switch. . Problem is, this is about $300 new, no matter where I get it. My car does not have cruise control. I went to a junkyard and all ...

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