parcher Posted December 30, 2006 Share Posted December 30, 2006 I want to attach a dimmer switch to a lamp. I have the dimmer switch and the instructions are appalling. There are three terminals helpfully labelled (from left to right) squiggly line with an arrow through it (it doesn't actually say that but that is what it looks like), L2 and L1. The instructions say that the cable from the lamp goes into the squiggly line terminal and the mains (which I assume means the bit attached to a plug) goes into the L1 hole. That is all well and good but surely it doesn't mean that I bunch all the cables up and stuff them into one hole? Can anyone offer me a bit of guidance? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grahame Posted December 30, 2006 Share Posted December 30, 2006 I want to attach a dimmer switch to a lamp. I have the dimmer switch and the instructions are appalling. There are three terminals helpfully labelled (from left to right) squiggly line with an arrow through it (it doesn't actually say that but that is what it looks like), L2 and L1. The instructions say that the cable from the lamp goes into the squiggly line terminal and the mains (which I assume means the bit attached to a plug) goes into the L1 hole. That is all well and good but surely it doesn't mean that I bunch all the cables up and stuff them into one hole? Can anyone offer me a bit of guidance? Don't bunch all the cables up and stuff them into one hole whatever you do. There will be one heck of a big bang and you could end up blowing a fuse and having no electricity. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
parcher Posted December 30, 2006 Author Share Posted December 30, 2006 I rather thought that would be the case, which is why I am looking for a bit of help. It is so frustrating when they give you instructions like this. Of course on the same leaflet, there are really, really clear instructions on wiring up junction boxes, ceiling switches and 2 gang plug sockets - a lot of help that! So, back to the question, can anybody help me out? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hagueok Posted December 30, 2006 Share Posted December 30, 2006 we need to know how many wires are at the light sw, and if you light is a two way light or not. if you have just two wires one to the top of the old sw and one to the bottom, then one wire goes to the single hole , should be marked up 'c' and the other one will go to L1, even if you make a mistake and put it in L2 it will still work. couple of points to say tho. 1, is the sw box got the depth to accomadate the dimmer. 2, the dimmer will not work with low energy bulbs 3, a dimmer must never be used on a fan and light fitting. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grahame Posted December 30, 2006 Share Posted December 30, 2006 Right, the terminal with the arrow is the variable output, put the brown wire from the lamp into that terminal, that leaves you with a spare blue wire from the lamp. Do that and get back. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
parcher Posted December 30, 2006 Author Share Posted December 30, 2006 It is a lamp with a two core flex. The bulb will be a standard 40 or 60 watt bulb. I have a switch box thing with plenty of depth (I went for overkill on that side of things) The label says it is a 1 gang 2way dim 400W I now have the brown wire from the lamp into the squiggly line terminal - what next? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grahame Posted December 30, 2006 Share Posted December 30, 2006 It is a lamp with a two core flex. The bulb will be a standard 40 or 60 watt bulb. I have a switch box thing with plenty of depth (I went for overkill on that side of things) The label says it is a 1 gang 2way dim 400W I now have the brown wire from the lamp into the squiggly line terminal - what next? That's fine, I presume it is a table lamp or something similar? Now take the plug with the twin flex and connect the brown wire which according to the instructions goes into L1. That leaves you with two blue wires unconnected. I can't see the instructions for those in what you have posted, but I am assuming you put both of those into the one remaining terminal (L2) and you have done it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
parcher Posted December 30, 2006 Author Share Posted December 30, 2006 Right done that. Just to make sure I have done it right squiggly line has the brown wire from the lamp in it L2 has both blue wires in it L1 has the brown wire from the plug (which I am about to wire up) in it It is a rather stupid lamp which was given to me as a "reward" for working on an exhibition. I want it as a bedside lamp, but I cannot get a low enough wattage bulb for it as it takes an SES fitting, so I hit on the idea of a dimmer switch. Thanks for helping me out. I assume that all that now remains is to screw on the backing box? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
parcher Posted December 30, 2006 Author Share Posted December 30, 2006 Knickers! Ask me which plonker forgot that the wires need to be fed into the pattress box before screwing into the dimmer switch!!!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grahame Posted December 30, 2006 Share Posted December 30, 2006 Right done that. Just to make sure I have done it right squiggly line has the brown wire from the lamp in it L2 has both blue wires in it L1 has the brown wire from the plug (which I am about to wire up) in it It is a rather stupid lamp which was given to me as a "reward" for working on an exhibition. I want it as a bedside lamp, but I cannot get a low enough wattage bulb for it as it takes an SES fitting, so I hit on the idea of a dimmer switch. Thanks for helping me out. I assume that all that now remains is to screw on the backing box? Glad to help. What you have done is connected the dimmer in series with the lamp. Put it all back together and plug in, but I hope you understand you do this at your own risk. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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