Things You'll Need:
- Straight screwdriver
- dimmer switch
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Step 1
The first thing to consider is the wattage of the lights you are dimming.
When you turn on the switch you plan on changing to a dimmer, count the bulbs that light and add up the wattages of the bulbs.(for example if you turn on the switch that lights 6 recess lights that are all 65 watts each the total would be 390 watts)
Dimmers come in differant wattages, generally you will need either a 600watt dimmer or if the total watts add up to more than 600 you will need to purchase a 1000watt dimmer.(its important that the total wattage of the lights your dimming isn't greater than the wattage of the dimmer you install!)
Also you need to buy special dimmers for lights with ballasts such as low voltage lighting or flourescent lights, motors such as cieling fans use speed control devices. -
Step 2
Make sure to turn off the breaker to the switch your changing to a dimmer. The best way to be sure its the right breaker(most panels are labled wrong or faded)is to turn on the switch so that the lights you want dimmed are on, turn off the breakers one at a time(turn them back on if the light is still on) till the lights you want dimmed go off, now the power to the switch is off and you can work on it without fear of being shocked.
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Step 3
Remove the cover plate and the switch from the wallbox and remove the wires from the existing switch. If there are more the two wires hooked to the switch(not including the ground wire that is either green or bare copper)then it is what is called a 3way switch and there is another switch somewhere else that controls the same light and a 3way dimmer is required.3way dimmers are more complicated to install so i wont go into them for now.
Lets assume that your switch only has two wires connected to it(not including the ground)Connect the ground wire from the wallbox to the green wire of the dimmer then it doesnt matter which of the two black wallbox wires you connect to the two dimmer wires it will work either way. Push the wires into the back of the box so there is room for the dimmer and install the dimmer into the box and replace the cover(if there is more than one switch in the wallbox your installing the dimmer into, consider the type of dimmer you buy and make sure that the same cover will still work or buy one that has the correct openings.(for instance a rotary dimmer uses the same hole as a toggle switch and a decora dimmer uses the same opening as a rocker switch)
