Home RenoVision DIY - How To Install a Dimmer | DIY

Short Summary

Main recommendation: Homeowners can install a dimmer switch themselves, provided they follow every step and use the proper tools, including a wire stripper with a gauge, square-end pliers, and a voltage tester. The video walks through removing the old switch, confirming the power is off, preparing and connecting the wires, and mounting the new dimmer and cover plate.

Key Points

• Building codes in most areas let homeowners replace their own electrical fixtures, including dimmers, light fixtures, and GFI plugs.
• Turning on the light, then shutting off the breaker to see if it goes off is a common check, but a burned-out bulb could make you think power is off when it isn't, so a voltage tester is needed to confirm.
• A basic dimmer has two black wires and a ground; if it's a regular switch there are black and white wires with power on the bottom screw and out the top, and the switch works by breaking and restoring the black wire's continuity.
• Old 6-32 mounting screws and the ground wire connection should be handled carefully, since damaged screws strip easily.
• Choosing an oversize cover plate can hide imperfections around an old or damaged switch opening.

Details Worth Noting

• Concrete instructions:
  1. Turn off the breaker for the circuit, then turn the light on and confirm it stays off, and use a voltage tester on the fixture or switch wires to verify there is no power.
  2. Remove the cover plate and the switch screws, then pull the switch out of the box and note the wiring.
  3. For the ground, form a loop at the end of the green wire using the jagged teeth on the grounding screw, slip it under the screw, pinch it closed, and tighten with a number 1 Robertson bit or a flathead screwdriver.
  4. Straighten the twisted black wires using square-end pliers, applying pressure in a few spots, and trim only as needed since the wires are short.
  5. Strip the wire with the strip gauge set to 14 gauge (the standard for home wiring), by inserting the wire into the gauge, pinching, twisting, and sliding the insulation off.
  6. Push each wire into the switch's back-wire holes, ensuring the insulation touches the switch body, and tighten the terminal screws.
  7. Fold the wires into a gentle S-curve when tucking them back into the box so they can compress without bending awkwardly.
  8. Start the new 6-32 screws backward briefly to confirm they catch the thread before tightening, and discard the old screws.
  9. Install the matching cover plate, listening for the click, then restore power and test the dimmer.
• The dimmer in the video shows "top" for the off position, and it slowly raises power to full brightness.
• Use new mounting screws rather than reusing the old ones, since they can be weakened or damaged.
• The presenter notes that home wiring is almost always 14 gauge, but this should be verified for your own circuit.
• Wiring conventions vary: some switches are reversible for the black wires, while standard switches have line in and load out terminals.

Bottom Line

A dimmer swap is a manageable DIY job when the power is verified off with a tester and each wire connection is made carefully, but the instructions are specific to this video's setup and should be checked against your own switch and local codes.