Pat and Jodi quickly show how to attach a dimmer switch, which allows the user to manually control the level of light at the switch, saving energy when less light is used, which in turn lowers utility bills.
Equipment list:
Dimmer switch
Medium size flat-head screwdriver
Needle-nose pliers
Crimping tool
Circuit tester
Barrel crimps
Wire nuts
Several types of dimmer switches are available, but most operate the same way. For example, you can install a push-on dimmer or a slide dimmer.
* Periodically test your circuit tester at an operating electrical outlet.
- Turn off the power at the circuit breaker, and cover the switch with electrical tape so that no one accidentally turns it back on while you're working on the circuit.
- Remove the switch cover plate.
- Remove the screws from the existing switch and pull it out from the wall.
- Use the circuit tester to make sure the power is off.
- Disconnect the wiring.
- Straighten the wires coming from the wall.
- Twist a wire from the switch onto a wire from the wall and snug the connection with the needle-nose pliers. Use a barrel crimp to connect the green wire onto the bare copper ground wire.
* For this installation, it doesn't matter which color wires you use to make your connections.
* Some building codes require that ground wires be connected with barrel crimps. - Cap the connection tightly with a wire nut.
- Repeat the process for the other two wires.
- Push the wires back into the box, screw the switch into place, and replace the cover.
* Be sure to install sliding dimmer switches upright; otherwise they could operate in reverse.
* Previous cover plate may not fit; others are available. - Turn the power back on at the circuit breaker.
