Light Switch Wiring Help

[sprigfan]

Hello everyone,

Let me begin by saying I bought my first house this past summer, and I know very very little about electrical matters.

Here is my elementary issue:

I am wanting to replace 2 dimmer switches with 1 dimmer switch and 1 standard single pole switch in the same box. Each switch controls a separate light (no fans).

Based on the photos below, can anyone explain how to do this properly?

I think what is throwing me off is the red wire and the black wire that directly connects the 2 switches. Are the wires on the left leading to the fixtures, while the wires on the right are supplying the current?

[js12278]

Are you going to control the same lights that are currently controlled?

[Duane]

Originally Posted by sprigfan

Hello everyone,

Let me begin by saying I bought my first house this past summer, and I know very very little about electrical matters.

Here is my elementary issue:

I am wanting to replace 2 dimmer switches with 1 dimmer switch and 1 standard single pole switch in the same box. Each switch controls a separate light (no fans).

Based on the photos below, can anyone explain how to do this properly?

I think what is throwing me off is the red wire and the black wire that directly connects the 2 switches. Are the wires on the left leading to the fixtures, while the wires on the right are supplying the current?

Respectfully, you should have someone who knows what they're doing, do it for you.

Any 'how to do it yourself" advice that you'll find here, or anywhere else on the internet is DANGEROUS.

Duane

[sprigfan]

Originally Posted by js12278

Are you going to control the same lights that are currently controlled?

Yes, all I want to do is swap out the switches. Both lights are controlled only at this location.

[Jimmycrackcorn]

There is a third wire on the dimmer for 3way applications. You will have to read the directions to figure out which one. You can cap that wire off. There should be only two wires that will go to the new switch. One will be power, the other will be the switch leg. Can you post a better picture of the switch box? That us the best I can do for you.

Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.

[js12278]

Originally Posted by Jimmycrackcorn

There is a third wire on the dimmer for 3way applications. You will have to read the directions to figure out which one. You can cap that wire off. There should be only two wires that will go to the new switch. One will be power, the other will be the switch leg. Can you post a better picture of the switch box? That us the best I can do for you.

Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.

Agreed, need to see a bit more into that box

[sprigfan]

Originally Posted by js12278

Agreed, need to see a bit more into that box

How's this photo? The 3way wire is the red&white pictured above. The standard switch will go on the left, the dimmer on the right.

[Jimmycrackcorn]

It looks to me the black wire next to the red wire is the power wire. The power wire feeds both switches. The red wire goes to the light. The wire that goes out the bottom of the box goes to the other light. Hope this helps.

Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.

[db_xd]

House wiring rule is: White is cool, Black is death... Red is other.
Seriously, if you have to ask, get someone to help you at your house.

[bijou]

Originally Posted by db_xd

Seriously, if you have to ask, get someone to help you at your house.

+1

120V won't kill you, but it can ruin your day (and your house)