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Replacing old Dimmer Switch and Light problems

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  • 27-03-2018 5:30pm
    #1
    Digital Society
    Registered Users Posts: 972 ✭✭✭


    Im having a problem with a house i just bought that has old black and red wiring.

    The sitting room light was a dimmer switch with 3 x 60 watt bulbs that worked.

    I've replaced it with a single switch and single light with energy saver bulb but it doesn't switch on. Do i need a special light or switch for black and red?

    Could it be wired up wrong? Nothing happens at all when its switched on.

    Thanks


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    #2
    mark085
    Registered Users Posts: 144 ✭✭mark085


    Digital Society wrote: »
    Im having a problem with a house i just bought that has old black and red wiring.

    The sitting room light was a dimmer switch with 3 x 60 watt bulbs that worked.

    I've replaced it with a single switch and single light with energy saver bulb but it doesn't switch on. Do i need a special light or switch for black and red?

    Could it be wired up wrong? Nothing happens at all when its switched on.

    Thanks

    Energy savers are usually non dimmable
    Try get standard halogen or dimmable l.e.d the latter aren't great imo


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    #3
    Digital Society
    Registered Users Posts: 972 ✭✭✭Digital Society


    mark085 wrote: »
    Energy savers are usually non dimmable
    Try get standard halogen or dimmable l.e.d the latter aren't great imo

    The dimmer switch has been replaced with a standard switch.


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    #4
    mark085
    Registered Users Posts: 144 ✭✭mark085


    Digital Society wrote: »
    The dimmer switch has been replaced with a standard switch.

    How many terminals are in the switch 2 or 3


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    #5
    Effects
    Registered Users Posts: 9,761 ✭✭✭Effects


    mark085 wrote: »
    Energy savers are usually non dimmable
    Try get standard halogen or dimmable l.e.d the latter aren't great imo

    Where are you posting from, 2010? Leds are great these days. They can be an issue with dimmers, but apart from that I'd have them over halogens any day.


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    #6
    mark085
    Registered Users Posts: 144 ✭✭mark085


    mark085 wrote: »
    How many terminals are in the switch 2 or 3

    The live cable coming from the breaker goes in terminal marked "c"

    Sometimes 2 live cables if the feed is looped


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    #7
    Effects
    Registered Users Posts: 9,761 ✭✭✭Effects


    Digital Society wrote: »
    The dimmer switch has been replaced with a standard switch.

    You have possibly wired it up wrong. Black is neutral, red is live. You should only be switching the live cables, not the neutrals.


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    #8
    Digital Society
    Registered Users Posts: 972 ✭✭✭Digital Society


    I dont see what else could be wrong to be honest. Ill swap them around and see.

    I was more concerned with was there a special switch or light for black and red or are they the same?


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    #9
    mark085
    Registered Users Posts: 144 ✭✭mark085


    Effects wrote: »
    Where are you posting from, 2010? Leds are great these days. They can be an issue with dimmers, but apart from that I'd have them over halogens any day.

    LEDs tend not to dim all the way down
    And know its 2018 pal good one though


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    #10
    mark085
    Registered Users Posts: 144 ✭✭mark085


    Effects wrote: »
    Where are you posting from, 2010? Leds are great these days. They can be an issue with dimmers, but apart from that I'd have them over halogens any day.

    LEDs tend not to dim all the way down
    And know its 2018 pal good one though


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    #11
    brightspark
    Registered Users Posts: 2,637 ✭✭✭brightspark


    Have you tried another lamp (could be a faulty one)

    Can you post pics of the switch wiring?

    Red/Black cables haven't been standard for a long time, you should seriously consider a rewire.


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    #12
    Digital Society
    Registered Users Posts: 972 ✭✭✭Digital Society


    brightspark wrote: »
    Have you tried another lamp (could be a faulty one)

    Can you post pics of the switch wiring?

    Red/Black cables haven't been standard for a long time, you should seriously consider a rewire.

    Remember im an amateur ha

    Had the cables in L1 and L2. Put on in the other connection and it worked.

    Im also considering buying a Mercedes but theres one problem.... Money.


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