dimmer switch connection

[davel831]

hi all
i am replacing a back room light for the liitle one with a dimmer switch, after taking off the old switch i noticed i have 3 red wires, 3 black and 3 earth?

On the dimmer switch it has

L1

L2

And a wierd ~ with a arrow through it

And a earth switch?

And ideas thanks before hand

 

[breezer]

yes same as the old one was.

except ~ is common

 

[davel831]

sorry you have lost me

 

[breezer]

you said

And ideas thanks before hand

so i said

 

[davel831]

sorry meant to say this was in already when we moved here the dimmer is not working just comes on like a normal light no dimmer and the 3 red wires where connected to

L1

L2

and ~ ( with a arrow throught it)

 

[breezer]

you said

And ideas thanks before hand

so i said

yes same as the old one was.

except ~ is common

perhaps i should have said is rather than was

 

[jj4091]

Suspect you need a new dimmer, or are you saying you have fitted the new dimmer but it just acts as a switch?

 

[davel831]

the dimmer was already fitted and the are 3 red wires in the back and now it is not acting like a dimmer just a normal switch?

there are 2 reds into L1 and another into ~ (with a arrow through it)

 

[Steve]

what wattage is the dimmer?

what wattage of lamps is it actually controlling?

The wiring sounds normal, provided there are no other switches controlling the SAME LIGHT.

 

[breezer]

dimmer is probably kaput