The easiest and safest way is to use a multimeter to test for current. Gently pull the switch away from the wall.
Dimmer Switches Electrical 101
Dimmer switch two black wires. You have an incoming hot wire black going to one screw it does not matter if you use the brass or silver screw on the side of the 2 way switch and a black wire from the other screw on the 2 way switch going to the load light ceiling fan etc. These wires are connected to one black and one white wire coming out of the wall box. However if you need to rewire a light switch or a plug socket you may occasionally come across two black wires. There are no other wires in the wall box so im guessing this is a switch loop. Its essential that you determine which black wire is hot before proceeding. If you see a bundle of white.
The wall wiring is 1 black 1 white 1 copper ground not i read more. Turn off the power at the circuit breaker box. How to replace a standard switch with a dimmer switch for dummies duration. Use a screwdriver to remove your existing wall plate and the screws mounting the switch to the wall box. Put a wrap of black tape around the white conductor to label it as a hot wire. The new dimmer switch has 2 black wires coming from one side one green wire coming from other side.
Black means hot white signifies neutral and green indicates ground. The simple answer for a typical two way dimmer switch is black on the dimmer goes to the black wire in the wall the other black on the dimmer goes to the white wire in the wall and the green wire on the dimmer goes to the bare copper wire in the wall. A two way dimmer switch has three wires coming out of the back. Confirm power is off by flipping the current switch on and off or test. Notice the black wire is the only wire that we are controlling through the 2 way switch. How to wire a dimmer with 2 black leads in a single pole application.
In most cases the two switch wires will be some color other than green or white usually black. But one of the wires may be white if your house is wired with plastic sheathed cable. The existing dimmer switch controls a single ceiling lamp and has two black wires comimg out of it.
Gallery of Dimmer Switch Two Black Wires
