how to connect a light dimmer switch

A dimmer switch can often be seen as a luxury, or even wastefulness.  Though the truth of the matter is a dimmer switch can actually save you money, as well as help set the mood, and always give you the perfect lighting level.

While dimmer switches generally cost a little more than normal light switches, you should soon recoup the cost in energy savings.  You may also need to watch out for low cost dimmer switches, which can often be fragile and brittle!

This guide will show you how to install a dimmer switch in your home. Installing a dimmer switch is simple, quick, and easy.  Remember to ensure that the electricity is turned off at the circuit breakers before you connect a dimmer switch, as otherwise you will be working with a live current!

So here we go on how to install a light dimmer switch!

1) Shut off the power! This is very important, remember to do this!

2) You will need to remove the current light switch faceplate.  All you have to do is unscrew the screws which you can see on the exterior.  Save these screws, especially if you did not get any with your new dimmer switch.

3) Remove the light fixtures, you need to do this by removing the two mounting screws holding the light fixture in to the metal wall box.

4) Gently pull away the light switch assembly from the wall, and look for the two electrical wires which are connected to the switch.

5) Remember which of the wires is connected to which terminal, in most cases the wires inside will be black and white.

6) Disconnect the wires from the old light switch and remove it from the wiring post.

7) Attach the wires to the posts on your light dimmer switch, in the same way they were connected to the old light switch.  Make sure that the wires are screwed tightly to the connecting posts of the dimmer switch.

Insert the light dimmer switch in to the wall mount, you can use the two mounting screws which you originally took from the old light switch.

9) Remove the dimmer knob from its face plate by pulling straight back, you will need to set this aside for later.

10) Take the faceplate and place it over the metal post for the dimmer knob, secure it with the two screws.

11) Take the dimmer knob and push it firmly on to the metal post, generally there will be a slot or grooved pattern to align the control knob on to.

12) Switch on your circuit breakers and test the dimmer switch, check that it all works correctly, and you are done!

And there you have it, your very own dimmer switch, giving you the perfect mood lighting, cheaper electricity bills, and a certain style tat you will grow to love!

I hope this guide on how to connect a light dimmer switch helped, and with a few more additions you could have dimmer switches throughout your entire house!

UK Plug

Sometimes wires get damaged, or you end up buying an appliance from overseas. When this happens you may decide to simply fit a new plug rather than buy a new appliance.

When you need to wire a UK plug you only need to follow a few very simple steps.  If you need to wire a UK plug on to any appliance it is an easy job, and you can usually do it in 5 minutes flat!

1) Strip the wires, you will need to remove just over one inch of the white outer covering, and about half a centimetre of the inner wires.

2) Loosen the screw and take the plug apart and then loosen (Not undo) the three screws inside.

3) Feed the cable through the cable grip, tighten this slightly.  Insert the three smaller wires as per the diagram above. The wires are as follows

• Brown – Live – Middle Right Connection
• Green and Yellow – Earth – Top Connection
• Blue – Neutral – Bottom Left Connection

4) Tighten the three small wires securely

5) Tighten the cable grip and tug the wire to ensure it will not slip out during use.

6) Replace the outer cover, and you are done!

This is the simple easy way to wire a UK plug!