Dimmers are a must-have in every home. The reason we love our dimmers so much is that they add so much versatility to your space and allow you full control over your lighting scheme.
What are dimmer switches?
Dimmer switches work by adjusting the brightness of your bulbs, so they combine functionality, energy efficiency, and aesthetic appeal.
Dimmers are typically rotary, meaning that you twist a rotary lever to switch the brightness up or down. Our own brass dimmer switches belong in this category. With these dimmers, the light is turned on either by twisting the switch over a certain threshold or by pressing it.
However, they can also come in the form of a slider that you slide from one side to the other to adjust the brightness.
Let's see the different types of dimmers and how they can be used to elevate your home's lighting.
Types of dimmer switches
Dimmer light switches can be divided into three main categories depending on how they work:
Leading-edge dimmers: These dimmers are commonly used with incandescent and halogen bulbs and work by cutting off part of the AC voltage waveform, reducing the amount of power that reaches the bulb.
Trailing-edge dimmers: These are often used with LED and CFL bulbs. They provide smoother, more precise dimming control and are less likely to cause flickering in the bulbs.
Digital dimmers: Digital dimmers can be programmed and controlled via remote or smartphone apps. They offer scheduling and integration with smart home systems.
Our dimmers are compatible with all dimmable LED, incandescent, or CFL bulbs.
How to choose the right dimmer switch
To choose the right dimmer switch for your home, you first need to consider the following:
- What type of bulb will the switch be used with?
- Most standard dimmers work well with incandescent and halogen bulbs.
- If your bulb is LED, look for LED-compatible dimmers.
- What is the required wattage?
- The required wattage is the sum of the wattage of each bulb that the dimmer will control.
- For example, if you have four 60-watt bulbs, you'll need a dimmer rated for at least 240 watts.
- What is your location preference?
- Single-pole dimmers can dim the lights from one location only. Our dimmers are currently single-pole only but soon we will expand to three-way dimmers.
- Three-way dimmer switches are used when you want to control the lights from two different locations.
- Multi-location dimmers allow control from more than two locations and are often used in large rooms or hallways.
- Plug-in dimmers, or lamp dimmers, are designed for table lamps and floor lamps - they work simply by plugging them into the outlet.
- What is your existing wiring?
- Check if your wiring is compatible with the new dimmer switch, especially if it's an older home with outdated wiring.
- Some modern dimmers require a neutral wire. Verify if your electrical box has one. Our dimmers do not require a neutral!
Then, you need to select the control style, e.g., slider, rotary, rocker, and so on, and you know which dimmer to buy!
How to install your new dimmer switch
Hereβs a step-by-step guide to help you install your new dimmer switches. Please always advise an electrician if you are uncertain of the work you're performing.
Turn off power
- Locate your homeβs circuit breaker panel and turn off the power for the light switch youβll be replacing. This is very important if you want to avoid electrical shock.
- Use the voltage tester to ensure the power is off at the switch. Touch the tester to the wires in the switch box to confirm they are not live.
Remove the existing switch
- Use a screwdriver to remove the screws and take off the cover plate.
- Unscrew the mounting screws that hold the switch in place.
- Carefully pull the switch out of the wall box. Note the arrangement of the wires connected to the switch. Typically, you will see a black (hot) wire, white (neutral) wire, and a green or bare copper (ground) wire.
Prepare the wires
- If you feel like you need it, use tape to label the wires for reference.
- Use a wire stripper to remove about half an inch of insulation from the ends of the wires.
Connect the new dimmer switch
- Attach the green or bare copper wire from the dimmer to the ground wire in the wall box. Use a wire nut to secure them together.
- Attach the black wire from the dimmer to the black (hot) wire from the wall box. Secure with a wire nut.
- If your dimmer switch has a second black or red wire (load), connect it to the wire going to the light fixture.
- Some dimmer switches require a neutral wire. If your switch has a white neutral wire, connect it to the neutral wire in the wall box. Our dimmers do not require a neutral. You simply connect the neutral straight to the fixture.
Mount the dimmer switch
- Carefully push the connected wires back into the electrical box. Be gentle to avoid dislodging any connections.
- Secure the dimmer switch to the electrical box using the mounting screws provided.
Install the cover plate
- Place the cover plate over the dimmer switch and secure it with the screws.
Test the dimmer
- Go back to the circuit breaker panel and turn the power back on to the circuit.
- Turn the dimmer switch on and off to ensure it controls the light properly. Adjust the level to check for smooth dimming.
Extra tips
- Always read the manufacturerβs instructions that come with your dimmer switch for specific installation details.
- Ensure your dimmer switch is compatible with the type of bulbs you are using (LED, incandescent, halogen, etc.). Our switches are compatible with all dimmable bulbs.
- Twist wire nuts securely over the wire connections to ensure a solid electrical connection.
If you encounter any issues with your homeβs wiring, such as outdated or damaged wires, it is best to call in an electrician to complete the installation.
And there you have it! Enjoy your brand new unique and sturdy brass dimmer switches!