Home Automation - Dimmer switches
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09-06-00, 01:38 PM
In my kitchen i have 2 light switches that control one light. I want to replace switches with slide type dimmer switch. I also want to install a ceiling fan operated with a different switch. Can I make use of the 2 exsisting switches, convert to 2 single switches operating to different things. I just confused myself so i hope I haven't done it to everyone too.
09-06-00, 04:40 PM
hello EricVV,
what u have is what we call 3 way switches. the answer to your ? is yes and no. it is possabel to convert to singel pole switches thus control, 2 diferent fixtures but it intails rewireing. it is possabel to install a dimmer in 1 of the existing switches but it needs to be a 3 way dimmer, but the other switch will also control the light. i recomend u install the 3 way dimmer, and install a new switch for controlling the fan.
what u have is what we call 3 way switches. the answer to your ? is yes and no. it is possabel to convert to singel pole switches thus control, 2 diferent fixtures but it intails rewireing. it is possabel to install a dimmer in 1 of the existing switches but it needs to be a 3 way dimmer, but the other switch will also control the light. i recomend u install the 3 way dimmer, and install a new switch for controlling the fan.
09-11-00, 12:41 PM
You can rewire your 3-way switches in to
two single switches in most cases.
two single switches in most cases.
09-13-00, 12:51 PM
<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Gary Tait:
You can rewire your 3-way switches in to
two single switches in most cases.<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>
How would I accomplsh this?
You can rewire your 3-way switches in to
two single switches in most cases.<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>
How would I accomplsh this?
09-14-00, 03:41 PM
hello eric,
first off u need to determin that u have power in 1 of the switch boxes with a nutural.
once u determin u have a hot and nutural in 1 of the switch boxes connect the white wire of the 3 wire cabel that is going to other switch to the nutural, black of the same 3 wire cabel to the hot, and cap off the red. this now gives u power in the other box.
u will need to install singel pole switches in these boxes, and run a 3 wire cabel to the fan.
first off u need to determin that u have power in 1 of the switch boxes with a nutural.
once u determin u have a hot and nutural in 1 of the switch boxes connect the white wire of the 3 wire cabel that is going to other switch to the nutural, black of the same 3 wire cabel to the hot, and cap off the red. this now gives u power in the other box.
u will need to install singel pole switches in these boxes, and run a 3 wire cabel to the fan.
09-25-00, 10:31 AM
<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by sprky:
hello eric,
first off u need to determin that u have power in 1 of the switch boxes with a nutural.
once u determin u have a hot and nutural in 1 of the switch boxes connect the white wire of the 3 wire cabel that is going to other switch to the nutural, black of the same 3 wire cabel to the hot, and cap off the red. this now gives u power in the other box.
u will need to install singel pole switches in these boxes, and run a 3 wire cabel to the fan. <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>
OK lets forget the fan. I decided i was going to rewire it into another circuit that has only 2 outlets to it. I don't know why they would wire a house that operate only two outlets but I have double checked and that's all that's on that circuit.
Now what would I do to just put in a dimmer switch for the light?
hello eric,
first off u need to determin that u have power in 1 of the switch boxes with a nutural.
once u determin u have a hot and nutural in 1 of the switch boxes connect the white wire of the 3 wire cabel that is going to other switch to the nutural, black of the same 3 wire cabel to the hot, and cap off the red. this now gives u power in the other box.
u will need to install singel pole switches in these boxes, and run a 3 wire cabel to the fan. <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>
OK lets forget the fan. I decided i was going to rewire it into another circuit that has only 2 outlets to it. I don't know why they would wire a house that operate only two outlets but I have double checked and that's all that's on that circuit.
Now what would I do to just put in a dimmer switch for the light?
09-25-00, 10:37 AM
That is easy. As sprky said in his first reply, you just need to get a 3-way dimmer. That will replace either one of the two switches you have now, but still allow the other switch to turn the light on/off. The dimmer will work also.