3-way Dimmer Switch


  #1  
Old 04-08-09, 05:20 PM
D
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3-way Dimmer Switch

Hello, this is my first post and thought I'd give this a try. So, here's my question...

I want to add a dimmer to my ceiling fan that has 3 on/off switches on the wall to control the light. The existing on/off switch has three wires - 1 black, 1 red, and 1 white. I was told to buy a 3-way switch and I did.

Looking at this new 3-way dimmer switch I see a few differences. It has 4 wires instead of 3 - It has an extra red wire, 1 green wire that my existing setup doesn't have and no white wire when the old does.

I have no experience at this whatsover. All I need to understand is what wires to connect. Keep in mind, the number of wires are different and the colors don't match.

Thanks,
DonnieP
 
  #2  
Old 04-08-09, 06:16 PM
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Welcome to the forum.

The green wire would be attached to the ground wires in the switch box.

If you look at the existing switch do you see a screw that is a different color? Normally this will be a dark screw. This is the COMMON and would be attached to whichever wire is the COMMON on the dimmer.
 
  #3  
Old 04-08-09, 07:46 PM
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The COMMON on the dimmer will be the wire that is a different color than the other two wires, ignoring the grounding wire.
 
 

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