Lighting, Light Fixtures, Ceiling and Exhaust Fans - New Dimmer Switch Install
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Geewiz
10-13-09, 09:37 AM
Hi,
I am trying to install a new dimmer switch in a bedroom.
The ceiling fixture is a light/fan combo and has 4 wires coming out of the wall box: ground, black, red, and white. The old dimmer/motor control has 3 wires: red, blue, and black. It is connected to the box as such; the dimmer siwtch is listed first. red-red, blue-black, black-white.
The new dimmer switch I purchased has 4 wires: green(ground), black, blue, and yellow. I connected it as such; the new dimmer switch listed first:
Green-Ground, Blue-Black, Black-White, Yellow-Red.
I tested the new dimmer for 5 minutes. So then I put the dimmer back into the wall box and when I tested it again it didn't work. I pulled the box back out made sure the caps where secure. Turned the breaker back on and the LED indicator on the new dimmer lit up, letting me know it was on but the switch was off, when I tapped the switch the LED indicator turned off, which let me know it was on but the light didn't turn on. I then heard a short faint sizzle sound. Turned the breaker off and smelled the switch. It had a smokey/rust smell.
My thoughts are that when I put the dimmer back in the box, which did require a bit more force then the other wall switches, it may have pushed one of the wires onto something on the board inside the switch causing it to short. My rationale is that when I turned the breaker back on and touched the switch the LED indicator turned on and off but the lights never came on.
Here is the switch I bought from Home Depot.
Leviton 600 Watt True Touch Incandescent Touch Dimmer with LED Locator Light, White - 010-TTI06-1LX at The Home Depot (http://www.homedepot.com/h_d1/N-5yc1vZ66xgs/R-100662449/h_d2/ProductDisplay?langId=-1&storeId=10051&catalogId=10053)
Any advice or thoughts on my situation is greatly appreciated.
I am trying to install a new dimmer switch in a bedroom.
The ceiling fixture is a light/fan combo and has 4 wires coming out of the wall box: ground, black, red, and white. The old dimmer/motor control has 3 wires: red, blue, and black. It is connected to the box as such; the dimmer siwtch is listed first. red-red, blue-black, black-white.
The new dimmer switch I purchased has 4 wires: green(ground), black, blue, and yellow. I connected it as such; the new dimmer switch listed first:
Green-Ground, Blue-Black, Black-White, Yellow-Red.
I tested the new dimmer for 5 minutes. So then I put the dimmer back into the wall box and when I tested it again it didn't work. I pulled the box back out made sure the caps where secure. Turned the breaker back on and the LED indicator on the new dimmer lit up, letting me know it was on but the switch was off, when I tapped the switch the LED indicator turned off, which let me know it was on but the light didn't turn on. I then heard a short faint sizzle sound. Turned the breaker off and smelled the switch. It had a smokey/rust smell.
My thoughts are that when I put the dimmer back in the box, which did require a bit more force then the other wall switches, it may have pushed one of the wires onto something on the board inside the switch causing it to short. My rationale is that when I turned the breaker back on and touched the switch the LED indicator turned on and off but the lights never came on.
Here is the switch I bought from Home Depot.
Leviton 600 Watt True Touch Incandescent Touch Dimmer with LED Locator Light, White - 010-TTI06-1LX at The Home Depot (http://www.homedepot.com/h_d1/N-5yc1vZ66xgs/R-100662449/h_d2/ProductDisplay?langId=-1&storeId=10051&catalogId=10053)
Any advice or thoughts on my situation is greatly appreciated.
ray2047
10-13-09, 11:36 AM
Do you have a single cable, black with white, red wires at the switch box? Is this a three way switch? Are you trying to control just the light? Or is this a special control that contains both a fan switch and a light switch? Color codes can very with installer on house wiring and colors can vary with manufacturer on dimers so it is important to match function not wire color.