Dimmer Installation

rjl24

I have a two gang box with originally had a 3 way switch and a single pole switch. In the process of attempting to replace the single pole swith with a dimmer, we are now totally lost!

The box contains 5 main groups of wires (I have attached a rudimentry diagram)

group 1: one red wire, one white wire, one black wire , and a copper ground wire.

group 2: one black wire (hot),one white wire, and a copper ground wire

group 3: one black wire, one white wire, and a copper ground wire

group 4: one black wire, one white wire, and a copper ground wire

group 5: one black wire, one white wire, and two copper ground wires

Because of the single hot black wire, I am assuming the single pole switch drew power from the 3 way switch.

Has anyone wired anything similar?

thanks!

Attached Thumbnails

 

chris75

Why dont you just install the dimmer in place of the single pole and not take apart every splice in the box?

joed

How much it have you taken apart and how much is still the way it was before you started?

chris75

YOU need to find out where the wires go and remake the splices accordingly, This isnt something you can just ask someone off the street...

220/221

There are a couple of ways this might go. It all hinges on your group 1 wires.


If you took them apart, wire nut group 2 thru 5 whites back together.

Turn the power on and CAREFULLY touch the hot black wire to the other black wires one at a time to determing whick ones go to your 2 diferent sets of lights (operated by the original single pole and 3 way). I WILL make a slight arc spark when you touch them and the lights will go on.

Instead of working it hot, you should turn off the breaker, attach the blacks with a wire nut (one at a time) and tun it on. You will have to run back and forth about ten times but it will be safer....more safe...whatever.



Identify these black wires as your 2 switch legs.

There are many ways that the 3 way might be wired so if you get this far and determine that both switch legs are in this box I will guide you the rest of the way. The switch leg MAY be in the other 3 way box.


Be careful.