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Dimmer Installation Question

10/26/2003 7:59:20 PM
michael

10/26/2003 7:59:20 PM
http://www.residential-landscape-lighting-design.com/store/PPF/parameters/1610_383/more_info.aspI just installed a dimmer switch to replace an old one. When I removed the old switch it had 3 wires: black, red and yellow. The new switch has 3 wires... a black, red and green. I switched off the circuit and installed the new switch connecting each red and black wire on the new switch to their corresponding colors in the wall. The big question I have is if the yellow wire on the old switch was a ground or some other wire. I actually connected the green wire on the new switch to the wire in the wall that was formerly connected to the yellow wire on the old switch. I turned the power back on and the new dimmer works just fine. I just want to make sure that this installation is correct. Thanks!

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re: Dimmer Installation Question

Posted: 10/28/2003 5:02:39 PM

EXPERT

10/28/2003 5:02:39 PM
Based on your comments, the old switch was probably a fan speed control with a wire for the light kit.  The black wire was the hot coming from the panel, the red wire was for the fan motor and the yellow wire was for the light kit.  This control enabled you to control the speed of the fan motor, but it only allowed the light kit to be turned on or off, no dimming.
 
The new control you purchased is just a fan speed control only, with nothing for the light kit.  The black wire is the hot coming from the panel, the red wire is for the fan motor and the green wire is the ground wire.  I would recommend that he disconnect the green wire from the yellow wire and connect the green wire to a ground somewhere and cap off the yellow wire in the wall.
 
If you want to control the light kit, like before, I would recommend that you purchase a Lutron SFSQ-LF or SFS-5E fan speed control.  These controls would wire just like the control that you replaced.
 
Hope this helps.  Any questions, please call.


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