A dimmer cant control too many lights or it will surpass its maximum wattage. When installing dimmers for 3 way switches remember to buy a special 3 way dimmer switch it will say at the store and on the package.
Three Way Troubleshooting Tim Booher
Troubleshooting a 3 way dimmer switch. My problem is lutron says to cap off the red wire with the white stripe. When buying a dimmer switch check the maximum load its rated for. A good rule is to not exceed more than 80 of the rate maximum for the dimmer switch. This is for if your switch is wired with a neutral wire and with an auxiliary. Aux switch turns lights off when you press up or down. Coming out of the switch itself is 2 red wires a black wire and a ground wire.
How to troubleshoot a dimmer switch by kimberley mcgee updated april 16. Use a multimeter by touching the wire and the other lead from the multimeter to the white in the us or to ground. You should calculate the maximum fixture wattage before you buy your dimmer switch. Common problem 1 buying the wrong size switch. The most common problems with dimmer switches and led light bulbs. No stripes of any color on them.
Troubleshooting 3 way or multi switch setup neutral aux switch dimmer black series gen 2 lzw31. At the switch where you found power in step 2 put the other 2 wires you removed from the switch together and wire nut them. You may have to take the bulb out to read it however. Remove the two 3 way switches so you can access the switch terminalsthe wire connections do not have to be removed. If a dimmer is equipped for 500 watts and is given the task of turning on seven lights at 100 watts each it will work overtime and reach. The maximum wattage should be clearly marked on the fixture.
For example if it has a limit of 600 watts you wouldnt want to install the dimmer on a switch that controls 8 100 watt recessed lights. However on my switch the 2 red wires are solid. Problems overview problem 1. The dimmer switches also must work with led lights. Once you have located the maximum fixture wattage for each individual lamp you will need to add them up. The manual also calls out that in option 2 the switch has to be on the line side and the dimmer can only be installed load side.
This dimmer also requires neutral wires to be connected. That number will help you determine the perfect size. Programming instructions via parameters prerequisites. Now go the other switch location. The screw on the switch is usually a darker color too. Set the electrical tester to the continuity or ohms setting.
The following devices must all be compatible with each other in order for this type of setup to work properly. Damage control overlamping a dimmer switch is the most common reason a dimmer switch fails. I believe this problem is a matter of compatibility with the led lights and with the light switches. More about wiring switches and dimmer switches. Test a 3 way switchturn off power to the switches at the circuit breaker and using a tester make sure power is off. On a standard three way switch this is usually attached to the screw on the side of the switch that only has one screw.
The two 3 way switches should be the same brand. One 3 way switch one smart dimmer. Since this is only single pole and not 3 way i dont need one of the red wires so i should cap it off. Also only one switch. Aux switch inovelli switch is acting a fool. Single pole one dimmer only.
Dimmer switch tips and troubleshooting. Touch the probes to the 3 wires removed from the switch until you get a reading on the tester indicating continuity. There will be one of these on each switch obviously so there are really only two wires to test. There should be continuity between the common terminal and only one of the traveler terminals. Using a continuity tester check continuity between the common black terminal and each of the traveler terminals brass colored of each 3 way switch. Otherwise it doesnt work.
The led light bulbs must be dimmable and work with your switches. If you need to control lights from more than one switch a single pole or three way needs to be installed. If you avoid the five problems below you will wire your 3 way dimmer switch like a pro. Aux switch does not work.
Gallery of Troubleshooting A 3 Way Dimmer Switch
