Dimmer Switch Question

MwCar

Real dumb one for you but havne't run into it yet so heres the question,

Replacing standard toggle switch with dimmmer to control 1 hallway light.

Opened up switch box and it's a switch loop but only 1 black,white and ground, obviuosly all connected to the switch.

It it ok to hook my dimmer up this?
If so do I need to derate or leave as is with out snapping anything off the dimmer

acrwc10

Yes you are fine, Just turn off the power first. The white wire should be the line and the black the load in this type of install. The white wire should have been re-identified to anything other then white or green.

Bkessler

I would say only about 2% of whites in this situation or re identified, and it's would only be in recently built homes if it was.....

MwCar

I opened up the light fixture and obviosly thers more wires in there,,it's a older home so it could be feeding more lights and or even recepticles,,so the feed is in the light fixture and just the switch leg dumps into the switch box,,so I'm good to go with the dimmer? Leave tabs in place on dimmer?Just wire it as it's wired now but to dimmer?

precisionbuild

That's where the feed had to come from in your scenario (the light). Yes just wire it up like it was. That is a very standard configuration. And it doesn't matter what else it could be feeding off from the light. Don't mess with any of the wiring at the light though.

precisionbuild

Also, I forgot to add--->

Don't take this wrong, but this switch is about all I would attempt at electrical if I was you. I am not trying to offend you, but anything more could be dangerous.

And wrap a black piece of tape around the white to identify it as your line.

Bkessler

I wouldn't bother with the black tape....just makes it messier.

Magnettica

I usually use red or blue tape for identifying long runs, like in a panel. But for a switch loop in a switch box a sharpie will do.

precisionbuild

I was hoping by telling him to, that he would THINK about the difference as he was doing it and then in the end maybe learn something.

Alot of these guys have just seen scenarios and then think they can wire something up. They have no idea of HOW electric "works".

Knowing that black goes to a "gold" colored screw and white goes to a "silver" colored screw is not being able to wire.

I agree with you, but I was just trying to make him actually think about "line" and "load" as he doing it. Not that tape or a sharpie makes the system work better.

I don't think I explained this well, but too many people think they can do things, and electricity is dangerous.

Hidyusbeast

That is so true , and unfortunately even some people who work for electrical contractors don't know too much more than that. Imo you need at least a basic understanding of how electricity works ,along with a decent knowledge of all applicable codes to make your installation safe and legal.

mrmike

It is should be standard for all electricians to mark white wires being used for hot with black tape or a black marker. Being "messy" is a cop out- Being Safe is good practice ! I couldn't imagine it not being followed in a plant with thousands of wires. It was "code" among all the electricians at the plant I worked at, and should be everywhere!

Celtic

Re-identifying a grounded conductor as an ungrounded conductor does not help a qualified electrician.

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walkerj

Thank you Celtic

mrmike

Where did this come from??? "grounded or ungrounded"???? This has nothing to do with it. We are indentifing a white wire being used as Hot wire for all of us "qualified & non-qualified electricians" Safety First for All !! It also makes it easier troubleshooting when wringing out wires..........for all of us. You know!

Electric_Light

Maybe. It depends on the load. Some motion detectors and dimmers require the presence of neutral for consistent power to the device itself.

A standard toggle switch will control everything. A "common" dimmer will only control a regular filament bulb, CFLs/fluorescent fixtures specifically designed to be used with the common dimmer. Anything else requires a purpose-built dimmer.

Bkessler

It makes no difference, if you can't figure it out you should not be in there....it's not like a grounded conductor can't ruin your day. IMO if it takes you longer than 1.5 seconds to figure out what is going on in a switch box your not an electrician yet, your a helper or a handyhackman or a home owner.

mrmike

You are the one that should not be in there if you don't want to follow a simple "rule of thumb" that helps us all. I think you should Listen Twice & talk less & think about it before you think you know it all! By your statements you have a long ways to go to being a good Electrician-------Labeling yourself as such doesn't mean a thing- I was studying electricity before you were even born & don't ever think you know it all! You would never make it in an Industrial plant with that attitude-you would get someone killed..........Little things make a Big Difference !

Bkessler

Just cause your old does not make you good either, I say take your "rule of thumb", and go stick it. I went years and years using the white wire as an ungrounded conductor in switch plugs, two wire three ways, and switch loops to fixtures, I think being forced to re identify them is pandering to idiots, no offence.

DPDT

So basically you just called us all idiots for following code? Sorry dude. Hope you never end up in a motor control center. You could blow stuff up fast if the guy ahead of you didn't re-ID. Uhm....no offense.

Celtic

Now why on earth would you be using a white wire as an ungrounded conductor in an MCC

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