How to Troubleshoot a Dimmer Switch
- 1). Switch off the circuit breaker on the electrical panel that supplies electricity to your home. Secure a piece of duct tape over the circuit breaker. This will decrease the risk of someone else turning it back on while you are repairing the dimmer switch.
- 2). Unscrew the screws that hold the dimmer switch plate in place with the screwdriver. Pry away the plate to reveal the dimmer switch box and locate the electrical wires. Gently pull out the switch itself to reveal the wires beneath. Don't touch the metal areas of the switch or the wires as you take it out.
- 3). Connect a circuit tester to the dimmer switch to make sure there is no electricity running through it. Attach the red probe on the circuit tester to the red wire coming from the dimmer switch. Do the same with the black probe.
- 4). Check the result on your circuit tester. Certain lights will illuminate if there is still power running through the switch. Check your circuit tester manual for further information. Don't proceed any further if the test yields a positive response.
- 5). Remove the screws on the underside of the dimmer switch using a screwdriver. Remove the connecting wires from their terminals on the switch and put the switch to one side.
- 6). Purchase a new dimmer switch identical to the one you have just removed. You can buy dimmer switches from most hardware and electrical stores. Check that the electrical capacity of the new switch is the same as the old one. You can normally find this information printed on the back of the switch.
- 7). Connect the terminal wires to the dimmer switch. Slowly wrap the wires around in a clockwise direction to secure them on the terminals. Secure the terminal screws with a screwdriver.
- 8). Push the wires back so they nestle tidily in the switch box. Screw back the breastplate of the dimmer switch with a screwdriver and the screws you removed earlier. Switch the circuit breaker back on and turn on the dimmer switch.
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