Electrical – How to replace this dimmer switch to a conventional switch

electricalswitch

I want to replace the dimmer switch in my kitchen with a conventional light switch. However I could use a little guidance.

I understand the two black wires are the hot wires, and the green is ground. I understand how to wire those into the regular switch, but in all the videos I have watch online no one ever seems to have the red (I believe it is the neutral wire). How do I go about wiring this?

The new light switch I have only has 3 screws.

light switch wiring

Best Answer

That is a 3-way dimmer, so you'll have to replace it with a 3-way switch. The new 3-way switch will have 4 terminals (screws), 1 black (Common), 2 brass (Travelers), 1 green (Ground).

When working with 3-way switches, the Common terminal will always be the odd color (odd man out). For example, on your current switch the Red wire is the Common. On a regular 3-way, the black (odd color) screw is the Common.

Labeled wires

To prevent confusion, it's often a good idea to work with one wire at a time. Rather than disconnecting all the wires from the old switch, then trying to remember what went where.

  • Start By turning off the power at the breaker, and verifying it's off with a non-contact voltage tester.
  • Disconnect the bare copper wire from the old switch, and connect it to the green terminal on the new switch.
  • Disconnect the black wire (the one connected to the red wire on the old switch), then connect it to the black (Common) terminal on the new switch.
  • Disconnect the black and red travelers, and connect one to each brass terminal on the new switch.
  • Turn the breaker on, and verify proper operation.
  • Turn the breaker back off, and mount the switch in the box.
  • Turn the breaker back on, and again verify proper operation.
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