To fit a dimmer switch in place of a standard light switch you will need the following tools and materials: For the purpose of this project we will be swapping and existing 1 gang 1 way switch for a similar 1 gang 1 way dimmer switch. Step 1 – Isolate Circuit

Smart dimmers: Use smart automation technology and wifi to enable you to control a single or set of lights using an appour dimmer switches have a soft start function that slowly brings the lights to the set level in about 1-2 seconds, prolonging the life of your bulbs There are no 4-way dimmer switches, but this kit from Leviton is functionally what you’re looking for if your goal is to operate and dim your lights from three or more locations. The reason 4-way dimmers aren’t possible with traditional switches is due to the way that light switch circuits work, and this kit gets around that problem by not using a traditional light switch circuit. Instead, it uses a primary switch, a companion switch, and a plug-in bridge unit that allows them to connect wirelessly. Gold’s a great way to inject a bit of oomph into a room, and this brass LED dimmer switch does it perfectly. The brushed brass plate is gold-like in appearance, but it’s not too shiny so there’s no worry that it’ll hog the limelight. It’s all about subtlety. Then come the dimmer knobs with their beautiful knurled edges and sleek front. The knurling serves a practical purpose too – it makes the knobs really tactile and easy to turn. And because we couldn’t decide which colour knob to add (they all look bloomin’ great), we thought we’d let you choose, that way you can make sure it’s absolutely spot on for your interior style. The voltage rating of a dimmer switch tells you where you can use it. For example, residential electrical voltage in the United States is 110 - 120VAC. That means you can use any 110 or 120V dimmer switch in your home. Fitting a dimmer switch in place of an existing standard light switch is a fairly easy and straight forward job as long as you know what you are doing.

If you have a metal face plate for your switch there should also be a green and yellow earth wire to a small terminal on this. If not then it should be connected to the metal box in the wall called a pattress box. If the pattress box is plastic then it should be screwed into the earth terminal somewhere inside. The most important requirement when installing a dimmer switch is a neutral wire, because a lot of modern dimmers require a neutral wire. Homes built prior to 1985 typically won’t have a neutral wire unless the wiring has been updated and brought up to code, so this is an important consideration.

Types of Dimmer Switch

Once correctly positioned, pop each screw through each hole and then screw it up tight, ensuring that it’s level. Step 6 – Test Switch Once the power to the circuit and switch are isolated, the next job is to use a flat blade screwdriver to unscrew the 2 screws on the front of the faceplate. Dimmer switches allow you to adjust the brightness of light bulbs. They adjust the amount of voltage that reach the bulbs. So, for example, the more voltage the bulb receives, the brighter it will be. What to Know Before You Get Started Toggle: These look like standard toggle light switches, but you can raise and lower the toggle to dim and brighten your lights instead of flipping on and off in two binary positions like you would with a traditional light switch. In other cases, the toggle itself acts as an on/off switch, and you adjust the illumination level with a very small slider that’s located right next to the toggle. These are best for applications where you won’t need to adjust the illumination level every day. The names refer to the way in which they control light levels. As mentioned above, modern dimmer switches work by rapidly cutting the supply of electricity to the light half way through it’s cycle when the current hits zero.

Wattage refers to the amount of power drawn by the light bulbs, so it has a direct impact on the type and number of bulbs that you can control with a dimmer switch. “To determine the appropriate wattage capacity for a dimmer switch, calculate the total wattage of the bulbs it will control,” says Jason Brady, owner of Above and Beyond Service Company. “For example, if you have five 60-watt bulbs, the total wattage is 300 watts.” You can then select a dimmer switch that’s capable of handling over 300 watts, because it’s important to leave a safety margin. For example, the Kasa HS220, our best smart dimmer, works with Alexa and Google Home, but not with HomeKit. If your smart home is powered by Apple’s HomeKit, you’ll find that the Kasa HS220 just won’t work correctly. In that case, consider the very similar Kasa KS220 that works with HomeKit. The Kasa app works with both Android and iPhone, and it allows you to operate the switch remotely as long as you have internet access, so you technically don’t even need anything but this switch and your phone to get started. It does work with both Alexa and Google Home though, so you can operate the switch with voice commands if you have a compatible smart speaker. Smart home integration also lets you include the switch in daily routines, like turning the lights on or adjusting the illumination level at dusk.The SureSlide from Leviton is a slide dimmer first and a light switch second, which is why it’s our favorite slide dimmer switch. Dimming is provided by a large sliding bar that’s easy to operate. It also includes a toggle switch, so you can set your desired dimming level, turn the lights off, and then return directly to your chosen illumination setting the next time you turn the lights on. It works with a variety of bulb types, including compact fluorescent, LED, and incandescent, and you can also install it in both single-pole and 3-way configurations. There are numerous different types of modern dimmer switch, but essentially they can be broken down into 2 main types: