How to Make Two 3-Way Dimmer Switches Work Together
- Two dimmers may be installed to control one or more lights as long as the dimmer switches are compatible with each other, such as one being the Master, and the ...
- The key here is that you cannot install standard 3 way dimmer switches.
- Three way switch wiring diagrams can be found using the resources that follow.
How to replace or install a 3 way dimmer switch?
Turn Off Power & Remove Old Switch
- Connect the New Dimmer Switch. If the house wires are bent, use a wire stripper to cut off the twisted ends. ...
- Replace the Wall Plate. Carefully tuck the wires back into the electrical outlet box. ...
- Turn Power Back On
How to install three way dimmer switches?
Installing a 3-way switch
- First, connect the ground wire to the corresponding wire on your dimmer. ...
- Use a plastic wire cap to secure the two wires after wrapping, protecting the connection and ensuring a tight seal.
- Next, connect the red wire to the hot lead wire and cap them together. ...
Can dimmer switches be used with 3 way switches?
That’s where 3-way switches are handy—they allow users to turn on a centrally located light from different sides of a room or from the upper and lower ends of a stairway. A 3-way switch setup will even work with a dimmer switch, as long as the dimmer switch is designed for 3-way wiring. Can you put two dimmers on the same circuit?
How do I wire a 3 way fan switch?
How to Wire a Three-Way Switch to Control a Ceiling Fan
- Getting Started and Safety. You should never attempt to wire a three-way switch if you have no previous electrical experience. ...
- Connecting the Wires. Family Handyman explains that you should connect the wires you have pulled to your three-way switch with ground screws.
- Combined Control Options. ...
Where is the red wire on a dimmer switch?
In most wiring applications, the red wire is connected to the single screw on the left side of the switch.
Which way should the switch be facing?
Position the switch so that the side with the two screws is facing your right.
What happens if you replace a three way switch with a dimmer switch?
If you simply replaced one of the three-way switches with an ordinary dimmer switch, it would no longer toggle from one line to another and would only go on or off and reduce the power of the current. The top of the stairway, bottom of the stairway reversing control would no longer work.
Why do multiple dimmer controls talk to each other?
New multiple dimmer controls are more expensive, but they talk to each other to allow controlling the intensity of a single light from multiple locations.
Why do three way switches have three screws?
That is why the three-way switch has three screws on it. One is the common wire and the other two carry that common current to one line or another. In fact a three-way switch all by itself would be of little use for your light. It takes a pair of three-way switches as shown in the diagram to cause that re-routing of electricity ...
How to reduce the power of a light?
What you could also do is to put a dimmer switch on the common line leading into a pair of three-way switch. This would turn on and off the whole system, as well as have the possibility of reducing the light level. If you put one dimmer switch on each end, outside of each of the three-way switches, you would have to have both dimmers on and the end result would be a reducing of the power of the light by the sum of the two dimmers, so if all you want to do is to reduce the strength of the light, use just one dimmer.
Can you put a dimmer switch on each end?
If you put one dimmer switch on each end, outside of each of the three-way switches, you would have to have both dimmers on and the end result would be a reducing of the power of the light by the sum of the two dimmers, so if all you want to do is to reduce the strength of the light, use just one dimmer. All of that is to say that ...
Can a dimmer switch be used on a stairway?
All of that is to say that a simple dimmer switch cannot give you that top of the stairway, bottom of the stairway control, but can be used to reduce the intensity of the light, but you will have to remember to leave the dimmer on at all times for the rest of the system to work.
Can You Use A 3-Way Dimmer On A 4-Way Circuit?
You can use a 3-way dimmer on a 4-way circuit but you should match the amperage and voltage of the dimmer to the switch you want to replace. Additionally, you have to ensure that the dimmer you wish to use is compatible with the electrical circuit and the light fixture.
Can You Put A Dimmer On A 2 Way Switch?
Instead, you need to buy a push-on/off dimmer. You should also place one dimmer on a 2-way circuit. You have to pair the dimmer with a regular switch. Don’t install two different dimmers for a single light on the same circuit.
Can you work on energized circuits?
Be Careful and Be Safe - Never Work on Energized Circuits!
Can you wire a chandelier light fixture?
Yes, wiring can be installed where the power source enters at the fixture box as you mentioned. Either one or two standard 3-way dimmer switches may be used to control the chandelier light fixture.
What is a 3 way dimmer?
Most 3-Way dimmers come with pre-wired leads that are color coded and explained below. These dimmers are also known as wall dimmers and light dimmers. If you are replacing an existing 3-way switch: When replacing an existing 3-way switch take note of how the existing switch is wired BEFORE you remove the wiring, ...
How many watts does a 3 way dimmer switch use?
Most dimmers are rated for 600 watts of power consumption, so if you have several light fixtures which will be controlled by the 3-way dimmer switch you will need to count the number of fixtures, the number of lamps per fixture and the watts per lamp. Calculate the total watts which will be controlled by your 3-way dimmer switch.
What is a residential dimmer switch?
Residential dimmer switches are available for several load requirements including 600, 800 and 1000 watts. If you do not size your dimmer properly the dimmer could overheat and cause internal damage. Regular 3-way dimmer switches are designed for incandescent lamps unless otherwise stated.
Why do you need a dimmer switch?
Installing Dimmer Switches can help reduce your electrical consumption as shown in the chart below.
How many wires are in a dimmer?
The old dimmer only has 1 line and 1 load on it and there are only 2 wires in the wall red and blue.
What is the green ground wire on a switch?
The Green Ground Lead attaches to the switch box ground wire, the Red and White "travelers" are attached to the pair of Red Leads and the Black Lead is connected to the Power or Switch Leg connected at the fixture (s).
When replacing an existing 3 way switch, what to do?
If you are replacing an existing 3-way switch: When replacing an existing 3-way switch take note of how the existing switch is wired BEFORE you remove the wiring, then refer to your notes to help you wire the new 3-way dimmer switch.
How many dimmers can you use on a 3 way switch?
When using a 3-way dimmer switch, you should only have one dimmer on the circuit. The other switches (you can have more than one) must be on-off switches only. In this setup, the light level is controlled from a single location, whichever light switch you replace with the dimmer switch.
What is a multi-location dimmer switch?
Unlike 3-way dimmer switches, which cannot support multiple dimmers on the circuit, multi-location dimmer switches allow for dimming controls in more than one location. These can be paired with a compatible dimmer switch, non-dimming 3-way switches, or smart-home systems and remotes. Any device on the circuit can control the dimming, such as a Pico remote paired with a Smart Bridge or your smart phone, depending on your setup. Like 3-way switches, these have on/off and dimming controls at the switch. They are also available in the same types of switches: incandescent, fluorescent, LED, low voltage, and multiple load.
What is a multiple load dimmer?
Multiple Load: Rated for use with more than one type of technology. For example, this type of dimmer switch may support CFL, halogen, incandescent, and LED or a combination of those.
What devices can control dimming?
Any device on the circuit can control the dimming, such as a Pico remote paired with a Smart Bridge or your smart phone, depending on your setup. Like 3-way switches, these have on/off and dimming controls at the switch. They are also available in the same types of switches: incandescent, fluorescent, LED, low voltage, and multiple load.
Can you use a dimmer on LED lights?
Different technology is needed to dim LED light bulbs than fluorescent or incandescent and halogen lights. If you already have your lights on a circuit with a dimmer, new LED lights may not be compatible with an older dimmer.
Can you use a single pole dimmer switch on multiple lights?
If your lights are controlled from more than one switch, a single pole dimmer switch just won’t do. Whether you need a 3-way dimmer switch or one compatible with multiple locations depends on how much control you want over light levels and from how many locations. If you’re replacing two 3-way light switches at the top and bottom ...
Do you need a 3 way dimmer switch?
When using a 3-way dimmer switch, you should only have one dimmer on the circuit. The other switches (you can have more than one) ...
What is a dimmer switch?
Some dimmer switches are set on a 3-way switch. This means that the lights can be turned on and off from the dimmer switch as well as another light switch . These types of switches are common in hallways and staircases. They are often found in large rooms as well.
How many watts does a dimmer switch need?
The maximum wattage for those fixtures is 300. That means that your new dimmer switch will have to be able to handle a load of 300 watts.
What wire is the hot wire on a dimmer switch?
Next, the Hot wire (black) from the panel needs to be connected to the black wire on the dimmer switch, and the red wire from the 3-wire cable is connected to the red wire on the dimmer switch while the remaining black wire is connected to the last wire on the switch.
What is the black wire on a second light switch?
Finally, at the second switch, the black wire from the light fixture is connected to the common terminal while the remaining black and red wires from the first switch are connected to each of the remaining terminals on the second switch.
What is the ground wire on a switch?
The ground wire is what prevents stray current from electrocuting your family and possessions. The ground wire is often white, green, or bare.
What wires should be connected to the white wires in a second switch?
The Neutral (white) wires from the power source cable and the outgoing feed (a 3-wires cable) should be connected together as in the second junction box containing the second switch where the white from the light fixture should be connected to the white from the first switch.
What to do if you don't check both lights?
Before you put up your tools and tidy the work area , you need to make sure that the lights work from both light switches. If you fail to check both switches, you may find that one of the switches doesn’t work. If that is the case, you will have to pull your tools out and remove the switch to determine the problem.
Dimmer and 3-Way Switch Setup
- First thing’s first you have to make sure that you’re using 3-way dimmers. If you use an ordinary dimmer switch, the other 3-way switch would lose its functionality. Now that that’s out of the way, let’s get to the main topic. If you’re using a normal 3-way dimmer, you can have only one dimmer. The switch at the other end must be a 3-way switch. You would be able to turn the light on/off fr…
Workaround to The Dimming Issue
- Say you want to be able to dim the light from either location. What do you do then? Well, there are a few workarounds.
FAQs
- Question: Can I use fan speed regulators as dimmers? Answer: No. While rotary dimmers and fan speed regulators look the same, they are completely different. Substituting one for the other can result in circuit failure at best. And fires at worst. Question: Will all dimmers work with all lights? Answer: No. Based on the type of light you’re using, the type of dimmer will vary. There are gener…
Conclusion
- Can you have 2 dimmers on a 3-way switch? The short answer is no. The long answer is that there are ways to achieve the desired functionality. The process might be a bit complicated. But, you’ll be able to gain the ability to dim the lights from either location. Or you can shell out some extra cash. And get the multi-location dimmer switches. That’...