Dimmer Switch Too Many Wires!!

[amalisa]

I bought a one-gang two-way dimmer switch that I want to install in my living room. My ex did the wiring here yonks ago. He is not a qualified electrician - need I say more? I opened up the old switch and found not 2 wires, one red, one black but 3 of each colour!!! 1 red, one black connected at the top of the switch both of which go to the ceiling fixture and two of each colour connected in the holes at the bottom of the switch. Is this solvable or only by someone who really knows what they're doing?

 

[amalisa]

I don't think this is a two-way switch because it only operates the one light and there is no other switch that does.

Thanks!!!!

 

[breezer]

it sounds like it is a two way switch. make a note of which wires are where and change the switch so that the switch has its wires in the same position as the existing switch.

it is not unommon to find 6 wires in a switch box for 2 way switching