Replacing a Dimmer Switch

Whether you are preparing for a romantic dinner for two or working on an important deadline in the middle of the night, you will find that a working dimmer switch is crucial in properly controlling the lighting in your home. A dimmer switch can be attached to any internal lighting in your home in order to vary the brightness or dimness of lighting. A dimmer switch works by increasing or decreasing the amount of power being supplied to the light in order to brighten or dim it. Some dimmer switches are knobs and others have sliding mechanisms.

In order to do this home repair, you will need a few items. Search your home, local hardware store, or ask your friendly neighbor for a circuit tester, wire nuts and a set of flathead screwdrivers. Using the circuit breaker or fuse box—generally located in the garage or on the side paneling of the house—turn off the power. Test the lights in the room by flipping various switches from the off to on position in order to ensure that the power is off. (When you work with electricity, it is important to take a variety of safety precautions like this one.)

Locate the dimmer switch that needs to be fixed or replaced and remove the cover. The cover is a piece of plastic or metal that attaches to the wall to protect the light switch and provide an aesthetically pleasing facade. Reach in and gently pull the switch out of the wall. Suspend the switch a few inches away from the wall so that the wires are exposed. If you need to replace the switch, remove it from the wires and take it with you to the hardware store to match properly with a new item. When replacing the dimmer switch, use the same sized wires that originally attached the switch. Using wire nuts and electrical tape, properly replace the new dimmer switch. Before replacing the cover of the switch, you may wish to use a dry, old toothbrush to gently dust away dirt or debris.

As previously mentioned, be careful when working with any type of electricity. Your local hardware store may carry voltage testers that can help determine whether or not you have properly turned off the electricity with the breaker. Remember to only use one hand to turn off the fuse box, so that in case an accident occurs, you reduce your risk of injury to the other hand. Always remember that safety comes first. If you feel nervous about replacing your dimmer switch, speak to a local electrician who can properly fix your dimmer switch and possibly teach you how as well.