answersLogoWhite

0


Best Answer

You need a three way switch to control lights from two locations. The name is misleading. Three way switch refers to the connection points on the switch. You can use a three way switch as a single switch as long as you place hot wire on the brass screw and the use any of the other screws for the return hot.

User Avatar

Wiki User

14y ago
This answer is:
User Avatar

Add your answer:

Earn +20 pts
Q: Is there a way to wire a 3 way household dimmer switch as a 2 way dimmer switch?
Write your answer...
Submit
Still have questions?
magnify glass
imp
Continue Learning about Electrical Engineering

How do you install a dimmer switch for multi fixtures where the original switch has 2 black wires and one red with no green?

This simple if you have two switches controlling a set of light you will need to buy a three way switch. A three way switch will have a place for three connection. Depending on what brand of switch you purchase the directions will be sightly different but most dimmer come with detailed directions and diagrams. When you by a dimmer you need to read what kind of load it is meant to control. They are built to control incandescent light, magnet low voltage lights or electronic lights.


I am removing a dimmer switch to put in a regular switch but there are two incoming hot wires what do i do?

The regular switch just connects in the circuit the same way as the dimmer switch came out. If the dimmer switch had its own wires the only difference will be is you will have to supply your own wires from the new switch to the existing connection. IF YOU ARE NOT ALREADY SURE YOU CAN DO THIS JOBSAFELY AND COMPETENTLYREFER THIS WORK TO QUALIFIED PROFESSIONALS. If you do this work yourself, always turn off the power at the breaker box/fuse panel BEFORE you attempt to do any work AND always use a meter or voltage indicatorto insure the circuit is, in fact, de-energized.


How do you wire a 3 way dimmer switch that has two black wires and one green?

You need to first determine where wires go. If you Google 3 Way Switch you can get a diagram. Each switch has 3 contacts.. Think about a kids teeter totter. Each end represents a switch contact and the center is a common point. You connect the ends to either end on the 2nd switch. The common contact on one switch goes to supply power hot side and on the other switch the common point goes to the load. Then the neutral of supply connects to the load neutral and the supply ground connects to the ground of the load.


Is it possible to run power from a three way switch to install an outlet?

Yes you just have to "steal" power from the switch. Do this by running a pigtail wire from the hot of the switch to the hot wire of the plug. Make sure you do this before the switch or you will end up with your outlet being switched as well.


How do you install an intermediate switch with 2 two-way switch?

Click the link and watch a video I have posted showing exactly how to wire this configuration.

Related questions

Were do you connect the dimmer wire?

There should be two wires coming from the dimmer switch unless it is a 3-way dimmer. The wires should be labled line and load on a normal 2-way switch. The line load is connected to the incoming power wire. the load wire is then connected to the wire that goes to the fixture. If you area replacing an old two way switch, then it will hook up exactly the same as the original switch, except for the fact that you will have to connect the pigtail wires of the switch to the other wires that used to be under screw terminals. I hope this answered your question. Thanks, Ben M. There should be two wires coming from the dimmer switch unless it is a 3-way dimmer. The wires should be labled line and load on a normal 2-way switch. The line load is connected to the incoming power wire. the load wire is then connected to the wire that goes to the fixture. If you area replacing an old two way switch, then it will hook up exactly the same as the original switch, except for the fact that you will have to connect the pigtail wires of the switch to the other wires that used to be under screw terminals. I hope this answered your question. Thanks, Ben M.


How do you wire a 3-way dimmer and switch it in 3 locations?

One 3-way dimmer switch, one regular 3-way switch and one 4-way switch. The 4-way is wired between the two pairs of travelers from the other two switches. The common on the dimmer is tied to either the light or to the branch hot and the common on the other 3-way is tied to whichever is left (hot or the light).


What is a one way dimmer switch?

It is the terminology given to differentiate the dimmer switch from a three way dimmer switch. It is a replacement for an ordinary lighting load switch when you want to dim the lighting load for aesthetic value.


How do you wire a 3-way dimmer switch that has two red wires and one black and one green when the box has two red and two black?

you can only have one dimmer, the other switch needs to be not a dimmer. the green wire is ground, it connects to a bare copper wire found in the box, or to the box itself, if the box is metal. the black wire is"common" it either connects to the wire found in the box that has power in it or to the black wire that goes to the light. the 2 red wires are"travelers" they connect to the wires found in the box that go from switch to switch. if you don't know how to check which wire does what( continuity), it is possible to keep changinging the connections until the switch works. you will want to do this with a conventional switch, and install the dimmer afer you identify what wires are travelers and wich are common. you will destroy a dimmer switch by searching for the right connection. once you have identified the common wires, it will be on the black screw of a 3way switch; you can put that wire on the black wire of the dimmer. one red goes on one traveler, the other on another traveler. there might be a white wire in the box, if it is connected to other white wires and not to the switch, leave it alone. if a single white wire is connected to old switch, it may be a traveler.you will connect a red dimmer wire to this. opening the other switch location will show you if the white wire is used as a traveler.the black wire has to be either power coming in, or the wire going to the light. the reds are just connecting the 2 switches.


Can energy save bulb be used with any dimmer?

Compact florescent do not dim. They are all or nothing. You can use them where you have a dimmer switch. They will come on from about half way to full on. Dimmer switches don't like them and the switch will burn out faster.


Where is the fuse for a dashboard light in a 1989 Nissan 240 SX?

most of the time the dimmer switch on the 240sx goes out if you take off the switch and wire the 2 wires all the way the the driverside the gauge lights should work


Does a 1982 Chevy S-10 have a dimmer switch?

Yes, the dash light dimmer switch is located next to the headlght switch. You rotate it one way and the lights dim out, rotate it the other way and they get brighter, keep rotating it that direction and the interior light comes on.


Where do you set the switch for the 1991 Plymouth voyager's interior lights so the dimmer works to shut them out?

On many cars, there is a dimmer switch which controls the instrument panel lights. If this switch is turned all the way, it may cause the overhead light to come on. The overhead light will then stay on even after doors have all been closed. Find the dimmer switch, close the doors, wait 30 seconds, and then turn the dimmer switch.


PLug in three wqy touch dimmer switch troubleshoot turns on by itself?

If the dimmer is "plugged-in" how can it be a 3-way? Please give more details


How do you fix a dimmer switch on a Chevy Metro 2000 LSI?

The only way to fix the dimmer switch is to replace it I have tried cleaning it lubercating it. nothing will fix it for good .so i had to replace it. It is a factory item.


What do you do with the 3rd wire on a 3-way dimmer when installing to only one pole?

Cap it and ignore it.


Where is the Dimmer Switch located on a 1991 Park Ave.?

The dimmer switch is located under the dash to the left of the steering column. Unfortunately I don't know of any way to get to it without dismantling the dash and the steering column. Even with those items removed, it was a real chore to get at it. When we replaced my dimmer switch, we got everything back together and found that the rod that connects the dimmer switch to the lever on the steering column was bending too much to activate the new dimmer switch. This job took all day and was a waste of time and money as we have a new dimmer switch but it is useless without fixing the connecting rod problem.