How Do You Wire a Dimmer Switch?

A dimmer switch can easily be added to replace existing wall switches in any room in your house. This simple modification can be completed using simple tools and with little prior experience in electrical repairs. Following simple safety procedures and just a few simple steps a fixed lighting switch can be replaced by an adjustable dimmer switch that will make possible a wide range of lighting conditions and add ambiance to any room.

Things You'll Need

• 1 dimmer switch
• 1 flat head screwdriver
• 1 wire cutter/stripper tool
• 4 wire nuts

Instructions

1. Turn off the circuit breaker providing power to the wall switch to be replaced. Check for an absence of current by turning the switch on.

2. 

   Use a flat head screwdriver to remove the switch cover plate.

3. 

   Remove the screws securing the old switch to the switch wall box and pull the switch from box.

4. 

   Use a screwdriver to loosen the securing screws and remove all wires from the current switch.

5. Use wire cutters to remove the first 1-inch of the two black power wires. Then use a wire stripper to strip 1-inch of insulation from each of these wires.

6. Pair one black wire from the wall outlet to a black wire from the dimmer switch and twist the two together in a clockwise direction. Lock the joined wires together using a wire nut also turned in a clockwise direction.

7. 

   Repeat step 6 in order to join remaining black wire from the wall outlet to the remaining black wire on the dimmer switch.

8. 

   Coil wires into a simple fold and position these inside the wall junction box.
   Insert the dimmer switch in place over the box and secure it with two screws.

9. 

   Replace the switch cover and secure it with two screws.

10. Turn on the circuit breaker and test the dimmer switch.

Tips & Warnings

• Stripping the old wire will provide fresh, clean contacts for the new dimmer switch.

• Be certain power to switch circuit is off before working to replace the existing switch.