Support NeoGAF

[demon]

I'm installing a light fixture slider switch in my closet and don't know much about electricity. I'm kind of confused about the wires. Pictures:



On the previous switch, the red wire was connected on the left, hte blue on the right. Also on the old switch, the wires from the wall hooked onto two screws on the side of the switch, whereas on the new one there are three wires (bare at the ends) that come out of the switch (as shown in the diagram).

So, what the hell exactly do I need to do?

 

[xsarien]

First, you kill the power to that switch so you don't kill yourself in a manner worthy of Fark.com.

 

[demon]

The writing in the instructions was really tiny, but I think it said to make sure the power to the switch is on and to spray the switch with a water mist before operating. I got that covered, but now these wires....

 

[demon]

Ok, main thing I want to know....with the wires in the walls, which one is the ground? Is it the blue one or the red one? I think it's the blue one, but I'm not sure.




....


fine, let me die.

 

[demon]

Wow, not one person knows how to do this? I thought you guys were smarter.

 

[DarienA]

The missus installs the light switches around here... she's done quite a few, let me ask her....

 

[demon]

Thank you Darien and Mrs. Darien.

 

[iapetus]

You haven't even told us what country you're in. How do you expect us to help without exact GPS data?

What are the wire colors used in wiring

House wiring colors used in USA

Green body color Grounding Conductor

White body color Grounded Conductor (Neutral)

ANY other Body Color Figure that it's HOT

Wiring colors used in equipment cables

GREEN with YELLOW stripes Ground
BLUE Neutral
BROWN Live

Typical colors used in house wiring in Europe

Information of this is from regulations in use in Finland.

GREEN with YELLOW stripes Ground
BLUE Neutral
BROWN or BLACK Live

I mean, it must be evident even to someone with limited electrical skills that you're ONE WIRE SHORT, regardless of what the colours mean. Common sense dictates that it's the ground, which I'd personally find kind of disturbing, but there you go.

 

[demon]

I'm in the US.

And I don't know what you mean about being one wire short. There are two wires coming out of the wall (as shown in the picture and as was connected to the previous switch), and three wires (one green and two black) on the new switch.

 

[DarienA]

She said she thinks she can post some info to help you... but right now she's putting our daughter to sleep... gonna be a bit, sorry.

 

[demon]

Ok, that's cool. Thanks a bunch.

By the way, do I need a special bulb for a dimmer switch? I didn't think I do, but what do I know?

 

[DarienA]

Ok, that's cool. Thanks a bunch.

By the way, do I need a special bulb for a dimmer switch? I didn't think I do, but what do I know?

That's one thing I actually know, no you do not need a special bulb.

 

[demon]

Yeah that's what I thought.

I've been following instructions that pretty much are along the lines of this:

http://forum.doityourself.com/archive/index.php/t-9362.html

And it's not working. :-/

 

[DarienA]

I'm not really an electrician, but I did study electrical engineering in school and I have installed MANY (to say the least) light switches, dimmers, electrical circuits, etc. FIRST MAKE SURE YOU HAVE TURNED OFF YOUR CIRCUIT POWER (It's a good idea to check to make sure that the power is really off at the switch once you turn off power). What you have to do is connect the hot wire of the new switch with the hot wire coming out of the wall. According to your diagram your hot wire is black...connect it to the red wire from the wall (since your red was connected on the left side of the old switch, that means it is the hot wire...neutral wire always connects to the right (in your case, the blue wire). Next connect the neutral wire of the new switch (white) with the neutral out of the wall (blue). Since you didn't mention anything about any bare copper wire coming out the wall (ground) perhaps you don't have one. If you do, connect your third wire from the new switch (green) to the copper wire out of the wall. If you don't have ground from the wall, just cover the green wire with a wire cap. Wire caps should have come with your new switch. Use them the cover where the wires meet on all three connections. I suggest you turn on power with new switch connected but not yet screwed to the wall...no sense in affixing it to the wall if the connections are not correct. Good luck and remember...we're poor...no use in sueing...lololol

 

[demon]

It works! God bless you! You're smarter than at least 15 people who've written dimmer installation instructions on the internet.

Thanks again.

 

[DarienA]

She said she's glad she was able to help.

 

[Hitokage]

Doh, didn't see this thread until now.

All I'll add then is that replacing a motion sensing light fixture under a second story gutter is NOT FUN. The adrenaline I got doing that substituted for the coffee I would have otherwise needed that day.

 

[demon]

Ahh well, thanks anyway hito. And yeah that sounds like fun.