Need help with three-way switch and Dimmer

[Shawn McG]

Hello there.

First off, I'd like to say, this site has been invaluable since I bought my house! So, thank you all that have been posting and allowing me to learn from your experience!

Now, I have a small problem. I have been searching through all the posts and can't seem to locate any help.

I now know I have a three-way switched wiring in my house. I recently picked up Leviton single pole slide dimmer switches to install. Usually i'm pretty good at following directions....until they included the wrong directions in the box.

The Leviton dimmer has 3 wires coming out of it. A green with white lettering, a black with white lettering and a solid black wire. My house has A Black, Red and a White. I know the Black is common.

That's about as far as I have been able to get. I don't want to start guessing and just attaching them at random (unless thats what it takes?), but I'd rather just ask for help. Any would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks again,

Shawn

After editing this post, I'm beginning to think I bought the wrong dimmer switches..?

[joed]

You have the wrong dimmer. You need a 3way dimmer not a single pole dimmer. Don't assume the black is common. That may not be true.
If you require dimming from both switches you need special dimmers that will allow dimming from both ends.

[Shawn McG]

Thanks for the input. The reason I said black was the common, was because it was labled right on the switch. After going through a whole lot of posts, I finally figgured out I had the wrong dimmer as well..:)

I really like this site! I love the amount of info at our disposal.

I figure I can still use the dimmers in a regular room though, guess it's back to the hardware store for the proper ones..:P

Thanks again for the help!

Shawn