Hope i'm doing this right.....
i'm trying to wire up a dimmer switch (not too difficult I guess) but my problem is this..... Both the wires on the existing light switch are red so how can I tell which one is 'live'?? The connections on the current switch are marked L1 and Com (i think), but this doesn't help me???
I'm sure it's a simple answer - but i'm not electrically minded.
Your assistance is greatly appreciated.
Many thanks.
Simple answer- Put one red in Com, put the other red in L1. Turn on light!
SJW A.C.S. Ltd.
If it's only a one way switch, as this is, then it doesn't matter.
It would matter if it were a 2way switch and there were three or more wires.
.andy
To email, substitute .nospam with .gl
No it wouldn't.
SJW A.C.S. Ltd.
Oh yes it would!
(if you ended up with the common going to L1 for example, you would loose the "changeover" effect required, because in one switch position the common would be not connected to anything)
What? Was that meant to clear something up somehow?
SJW A.C.S. Ltd.
Sorry, I don't need two of you at it! I think you could be getting confused with something else, or making it up. ;-)
SJW A.C.S. Ltd.
Of course it would.
If the wires became mixed up the switch would not work correctly. Also, there are at least two ways to wire a 2 way light circuit.
.andy
To email, substitute .nospam with .gl
I'm not confused...
Ignoring the picture of the U.S. switch with wire nuts, for a 2 way lighting connection in the UK, the placement of wires certainly matters.
.andy
To email, substitute .nospam with .gl
I know the placement of wires matters in 2 way switches, if I were to take off my shoes and socks I would be barefoot. What relevance has any of this got to a 1 way dimmer with 2 red wires and 2 terminals on a 1 way switch? Although if both the feed and switch wire in the twin from the fitting are red then none of them go in common, they go in L1 and L2, any way round, doesn't matter.
SJW A.C.S. Ltd.
It would also matter if something else was different, but it wasn't\isn't, so doesn't matter
Yes, if it was a two way, but it's not, so it bears no relevance to this thread.
There's more than one way to skin a rabbit, your point is?
SJW A.C.S. Ltd.
I love the way these threads spiral out of control. :-)) Who the hell mentioned two way switching in the first place ? :-))
Yes it does relate to this thread - you replied to this message by Andy Hall:
"> If it's only a one way switch, as this is, then it doesn't matter.
The poster was correct in saying in this situation, for a 1 way switch, it didn't matter each wire went where. He also pointed out (just so the poster didn't assume it was also the case for more ways) that had it been a 2 way switch then it would have mattered where the wires went.
Your reply to that (in other branch of thread - not that included at the top of this message) was:
Which is an incorrect statement - especially as you then said later:
"I know the placement of wires matters in 2 way switches".
The only thing I can see is that you were being troll-like in making a vague confusing reply of "No it wouldn't" meaning it didn't matter because it wasn't a 2 way switch (which was also what the poster said) - but knowing that it would be mis-understood to mean that the wiring didn't matter on 2 way switches. This replying then went on giving obtuse replies - not clearing it up early by saying "It doesn't matter in this situation because its a 1 way switch".
That, to me, is troll-like behaviour.
David
None at all, I was simply providing a small piece of additional information, so that the OP, who was uncertain about which way wires go in a 1 way switch, would be prompted to investigate further should he work on a 2 way switch in the future. If somebody changes one switch, then they may be planning to change another.
I didn't provide complete information on how to wire a 2 way switch because that was not necessary.
.andy
To email, substitute .nospam with .gl
I was simply providing a small piece of additional information, so that the OP, who was uncertain about which way wires go in a 1 way switch, would be prompted to investigate further should he work on a 2 way switch in the future. If somebody changes one switch, then they may be planning to change another.
I didn't provide complete information on how to wire a 2 way switch because that was not necessary. .andy
To email, substitute .nospam with .gl
I already made the point as to why I provided a small amount of additional information for future reference. That is perfectly reasonable.
You are the one who is making the whole thing into something far larger than intended.
.andy
To email, substitute .nospam with .gl
Is there any chance you could expand on this please?
Flooz is now very confused..... (wonder if it's a woman thing......)
Have something to add? Share your thoughts — no account required.
Ask the community — no account required