Sounds like the wire that is bringing electricity to the non dimmer switch is not connected to the common screw. This results in the light being controlled only in terms of (on/off) by the non dimmer switch.
Do both 3-way switches need to be dimmers?
You will need a three-way dimmer and a three-way switch. This lets you dim from one location and turn the lights on and off from another. If only one switch controls the light, purchase a single-pole dimmer. If two switches control a single light or a group of lights, you will need a three-way dimmer.
Why does my 3-way dimmer switch not work?
It sounds like someone has put a single pole switch in a system that needs two three ways. Part of the problem is that there needs to be the right wiring between the switches. There has to be two hot wires*. There also may need to be a neutral wire, depending on the wiring configuration.
Can you have a 3-way dimmer switch on both ends?
3-Way Dimmer Switches
When using a 3-way dimmer switch, you should only have one dimmer on the circuit. The other switches (you can have more than one) must be on-off switches only. In this setup, the light level is controlled from a single location, whichever light switch you replace with the dimmer switch.
What happens when a 3-way switch is wired wrong?
Usually when a 3-way switch fails, lights can be toggled on and off at one switch, but not the other. If one of the two 3-way switches toggles the light(s) on and off, the other 3-way switch has probably failed. Follow these steps to find which switch is bad. Toggle each switch until the light come on.
How do you fix a 3-way light switch?
Then attach the wires to the terminals on the new socket. Finally replace the socket. Cover reattach the shade bracket. Screw in the bulb. And replace.
How can I tell which wire is common on a 3-way switch?
Quote from the video:
And take a tester and see which one of the black wires is a live wire. So this is our live wire this is going to be our common terminal. Now if you try both of these black wires.
How do you wire a 3-way dimmer switch?
Quote from the video:
The first is by wrapping the wire clockwise around the screw and tightening. It the second is by placing the wire under the screw terminal plate and tightening the screw.
Why does my dimmer switch have 4 wires?
Since the switch cuts the power on and off, there will be a black wire coming into the switch and a black wire leaving. The whites are normally just connected together with a wire nut and the coppers are connected together with a wire nut or grounded to a metal junction box. So the new switch has four wires.
Why is dimmer switch not working?
If your dimmer switch suddenly stops working, there could be issues with the electrical wiring. If it’s not installed correctly or the wires come loose, the switch might stop working. You might hear a buzzing or crackling sound if wiring is the issue. When you suspect a wiring issue, hire an electrician to inspect it.
How do you tell if a dimmer switch is broken?
Operate the dimmer switch while watching the reading on the DMM’s LCD. The reading should vary linearly from zero to 120 volts and from 120 to zero volts if the dimmer switch is functioning properly. A continuous “zero” volts reading indicates a burned-out dimmer switch, and you need to replace it.
How do you reset a dimmer light switch?
Press and hold button 6 for 10 seconds until LED blinks red. The LED should change to solid purple after the reset is complete. Note: A reset must be performed on each Dimmer Switch in 3- and 4-way configurations. Wait 5 seconds after the reset before putting the Dimmer Switch into pairing mode.
How do you check if a dimmer switch is working?
Attach the continuity tester’s alligator clip to one of the dimmer wire leads. Hold the continuity tester’s probe to the other dimmer wire lead. If the continuity tester’s continuity LED glows, the device is working; otherwise, you have a faulty dimmer switch.
How do you test a 3 way dimmer switch?
Quote from the video:
You should have one screw that is different color than the other screws. This is usually the common screw on the switch the screw is common with this screw.
Why do some dimmers not work with LEDS?
You see, incandescent bulbs are high-wattage (i.e. they use a lot of energy) and leading edge dimmers are designed to work with high-wattage loads. The downside is that LED bulbs are extremely low-wattage (they use up very little energy), which means leading edge dimmers can’t read or control their circuitry very well.
What happens if you overload a dimmer switch?
new jersey — Did you know that you can accidentally overload a dimmer switch? If you do, it can become hot to the touch – sometimes extremely hot – to the point where it can become a fire hazard. Here’s how to avoid this happening using only some simple math. The majority of dimmer switches are rated for 600 watts.
How many lights should be on a dimmer switch?
Varilight recommend putting no more than 10 LED lamps on one dimmer module. You can put multiple lamps on one plate, so if you have a three gang dimmer plate you can put thirty LED lamps on the plate in total (10 on each module).
Can a faulty dimmer switch cause a fire?
A circuit that continuously stays on can happen if the dimmer switches get overloaded by too much voltage. The fixtures attached to these switches might require a larger voltage than what the dimmers are designed to withstand. Dimmer switches can get extremely hot and possibly catch fire as well.
