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Replacing a dimmer switch

  • 03-12-2019 08:56PM
    #1
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 18


    Hi everyone,

    The light in three bedrooms has failed over a period of time. They all had dimmer switches. Changing the bulb doesn’t work so it must be something else, I don’t know what.
    I want to try to replace a switch in one room first to see if that’s the problem.
    I tried replacing with an another dimmer and that didn’t work.
    I am now trying to replace it with a normal switch, which hasn’t worked so far but maybe I’m doing something wrong.

    The photo shows the arrangement with the switch removed. There are three brown cables and an earthing. It seems messy but It has worked for ten years, I don’t know what to do now.

    Any pointers appreciated.

    Thanks.


Comments

  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,942 ✭✭✭meercat


    SlowSprint wrote: »
    Hi everyone,

    The light in a three bedrooms has failed. They all had dimmer switches. Changing the bulb doesn’t work so it must be something else, I don’t know what.
    I want to try to replace a switch first to see if that’s the problem.
    I tried replacing with an another dimmer and that didn’t work.
    I am now trying to replace it with a normal switch.

    The photo shows the arrangement with the switch removed. It has worked for ten years but I don’t know what to do now. Any pointers appreciated.

    Thanks.

    It’s hard to tell from here but
    The wire that’s bent over into L1
    The other 2 wires into com
    I’m assuming it’s not a 2way switch


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,566 ✭✭✭Risteard81


    SlowSprint wrote: »
    I don’t know what to do now.

    Call an Electrician?


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 18 SlowSprint


    Meercat,

    thanks for your reply - are your instructions for a replacement dimmer or normal switch?
    The photos isnt great, its actually upside down.
    You are correct that its not a 2 way switch. What is L1 and Com?

    Thanks,
    Fergus.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 5,374 ✭✭✭aido79


    SlowSprint wrote: »

    What is L1 and Com?

    Read what it says on the terminals on the switch. One will be marked com and one will be marked L1. Ignore the one marked L2.

    Remember to check connections are done up properly before fixing it back to the wall.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 875 ✭✭✭TheBully


    Have you recently installed LED bulbs?


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 18 SlowSprint


    TheBully wrote: »
    Have you recently installed LED bulbs?

    Hi B,

    Thanks for your question.
    No I haven’t used LED bulbs in the room.
    It just seems to have stopped working.

    Any ideas why?

    Thanks,
    SS


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