Replace dimmer switch with normal switch
#1
10-21-17, 08:35 AM
Replace dimmer switch with normal switch
Hi folks,
I think this is an easy one, but I wanted to make sure I was doing this correctly before proceeding.
In my kitchen ceiling is a ceiling fan with lights and there are two switches. The switch on the left is a dimmer dial to control the lights in the fan. The switch on the right is a normal light switch to turn the fan on and off. The dimmer switch has died, so I'm replacing it with a normal light switch.
For the wires coming into the box, there are four: white, black, red, and bare. That threw me off a little bit.
Please see attached drawing for the existing wiring, and then my proposed wiring for the new setup.
Does the proposed wiring setup look right?
Picture attached below, or at this link: http://www.angelfire.com/nj4/cpgoose...kitchen256.bmp
Thanks!!!
Update: PS - Instead of wire-nutting the bare wires together, can I just have the bare wire from the source go around the green screw of the right switch, and end it around the green screw on the left switch?
I think this is an easy one, but I wanted to make sure I was doing this correctly before proceeding.
In my kitchen ceiling is a ceiling fan with lights and there are two switches. The switch on the left is a dimmer dial to control the lights in the fan. The switch on the right is a normal light switch to turn the fan on and off. The dimmer switch has died, so I'm replacing it with a normal light switch.
For the wires coming into the box, there are four: white, black, red, and bare. That threw me off a little bit.
Please see attached drawing for the existing wiring, and then my proposed wiring for the new setup.
Does the proposed wiring setup look right?
Picture attached below, or at this link: http://www.angelfire.com/nj4/cpgoose...kitchen256.bmp
Thanks!!!
Update: PS - Instead of wire-nutting the bare wires together, can I just have the bare wire from the source go around the green screw of the right switch, and end it around the green screw on the left switch?
Last edited by ray2047; 10-22-17 at 07:52 AM. Reason: Enlarge diagrams.
#2
10-21-17, 11:08 AM
For starters, white wire is always neutral and should never be connected to anything other than the neutral post on the appliance or another white wire.
Black is hot and when coming out of a switch can be another black wire, but ideally should be a red or blue wire indicating it is switched and helps to identify which switch it goes to.
If wiring was done to code, there should be a second cable bringing in the power with a white, black and bare wire. Then the wiring would be as follows:
White goes to white wire
Green or bare goes to green or directly to the metal box
Incoming black goes to both switches (hot)
Outgoing black to one switch
Red to other switch.
If it was a hack job, and your existing diagram is correct, then your new diagram should work.
If your rewiring the switches you could put in a speed control switch (you can also find a speed control and light dimmer combo in a single switch. WHEN USING A SPEED CONTROL SWITCH OR REMOTE, FAN SHOULD BE LEFT ON HIGH AND THE PULL CHAIN REMOVED TO PREVENT ACCIDENTALLY CHANGING IT ONCE SET TO HIGH.
Black is hot and when coming out of a switch can be another black wire, but ideally should be a red or blue wire indicating it is switched and helps to identify which switch it goes to.
If wiring was done to code, there should be a second cable bringing in the power with a white, black and bare wire. Then the wiring would be as follows:
White goes to white wire
Green or bare goes to green or directly to the metal box
Incoming black goes to both switches (hot)
Outgoing black to one switch
Red to other switch.
If it was a hack job, and your existing diagram is correct, then your new diagram should work.
If your rewiring the switches you could put in a speed control switch (you can also find a speed control and light dimmer combo in a single switch. WHEN USING A SPEED CONTROL SWITCH OR REMOTE, FAN SHOULD BE LEFT ON HIGH AND THE PULL CHAIN REMOVED TO PREVENT ACCIDENTALLY CHANGING IT ONCE SET TO HIGH.
Last edited by AFarenci; 10-21-17 at 11:22 AM. Reason: Additional info.
#3
10-21-17, 02:48 PM
For starters, white wire is always neutral and should never be connected to anything other than the neutral post on the appliance or another white wire.
If the dimer had two wires (other than green) then the two house wires connected to those wires go to the new switch.
#4
10-22-17, 07:15 AM
Thanks guys! So since the existing setup diagram on the left is accurate, are you Ok with the proposed Diagram on the right?
