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Installing a dimmer switch can save you money on your electrical bill by controlling the amount of power you need to light a particular room. Here are some tips on installing a dimmer switch yourself:
Make sure to turn off the circuit breaker designated to the switch you will be working on. Also turn off the breakers that are designated to components that might be part of the switch (read the labels on the circuit box carefully). Put a piece of electrical tape over the breaker you turned off to ensure no one switches it back on while you are working. Keep yourself from getting shocked!
Remove the faceplate from the old switch and unscrew it from the electrical box. Carefully pull out the old switch from the electrical box. Old wires may disconnect while removing the old switch. Use a voltage tester to ensure there is no power going to the wires. Unscrew the wires from the terminal or use needle-nose pliers to remove them if the wires are attached to the switch by pressure connectors.
Use a wire stripper to cut the wires right below the end of the insulation. Strip the wires 3/8” down from the end. The side of the strippers should have a guide that indicates how much to strip for each type of wire.
Your new dimmer switch should contain pre-stripped wires attached to the back. Take one of the wires from the dimmer switch and line it up with one of the wires from the electrical box. Take your needle-nose pliers and twist the exposed ends together. Repeat this process with the other two wires. Secure a wire nut over each of the connected wires. Wrap each connected wire with 3” of electrical tape around the connection to prevent the wires from being grounded.
Fold the wires in an accordion fashion into the electrical box. Be careful to conserve room because the dimmer switch will most likely be a tight fit. Attach the faceplate over the switch and make sure the switch is turned to “off”. Turn the breaker back on and test the switch to make sure you installed it correctly.
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