Replacing dimmer switch

[Mojooo]

We have a dimmer switch that I want to replace. For about 4 years the actual round knob has been broken. The point bit that held it on is still there so it can be turned on/ff.

There is also a very slight buzzing sound coming from inside!

So I am going to buy one of these

http://www.screwfix.com/prods/82559/Electrical-Sup...

and then one of these:

http://www.screwfix.com/prods/47327/Electrical-Sup...

Anyone know what the 2W 40-250W signifies? As there is also one on there that is 60-400w

We just have a normal 60w lightbulb running from it

With the wiring I presume its just a straight swap of whatever is in there?

[SS2.]

1G 2W 40-250w = 1 gang, 2 way switching, 40w-250w rating.

It should be straightforward enough to replace, but the usual caveats concerning dabbling with electricity will apply.

And its quite normal for some dimmers to emit a slight buzz.

[Mojooo]

Just got aorund to this - question though

I am using a plastic patress box and faceplate

The old patress box had a screw for the earth wire to connect to

Fra as I know i dont need an earth wire

should i just leave it hanging in the box in its sleeving / cut it off / leave some of it exposed by cover it up with insulating tape?

[Raverbaby]

If you can put it in a bit of connector block. If not a bit of tape will be fine.
Dont cut it off, if you ever replace switch with a chrome/metal one this will need to be earthed.
I realise this is probably unlikely as you are using a surface box.
Did you manage to fit the dimmer into the 16mm box?

[Mojooo]

No...

I have had to buy a 29mm box.

The new dimmer unit is much bigger than old one which made it impossible to stick it back in with the wires at the back.

As I had to take off the old box it took off about 10+ years of wait etc with it so now I have fill in, sand and paint the wall before I put the new box on!

(to add, i didnt buy the 16mm box as the one already on the wall seemed to be a 16mm - i think you would have to get the wires extremley tidy to get it right)

Edited by Mojooo on Friday 12th February 22:00

[Raverbaby]

Is the box sunk in to the wall or was it surface? You could always sink it flush if your having to do a little plastering anyways.
If not and its just a small bit of plaster thats came away you could always use a white surround plate.
These sit out about an inch round the outside of the switch, its really meant to stop the wall being marked by kids/dirty hands.
Just depends how noticeable it would be.

Edited by Raverbaby on Friday 12th February 22:20

[Mojooo]

shoudlnt be too hard to touch up, just some polyfilla stuff and paint.

all of the ones in our house are ones that stick out with patress boxes. although i can see previous there seem to have been circular old school ones, probably from the 70's as i can see the deeper circular hole behind where the switch was.

[UpTheIron]

Nothing smacks of a cheap installation like surface mount. Get it sunk into the wall!

[Mojooo]

cant be bothered tbh

would i need one of these

http://www.screwfix.com/prods/30573/Electrical-Sup...

presumably i would someone have to cut out a 16 square shape into the wall? there is currently a recess there but its far from 16mm!

[King Herald]

Mojooo said:

shoudlnt be too hard to touch up, just some polyfilla stuff and paint.

all of the ones in our house are ones that stick out with patress boxes. although i can see previous there seem to have been circular old school ones, probably from the 70's as i can see the deeper circular hole behind where the switch was.

Did it myself a few years ago, nice box, surface mounted, thicker than the old one, as I was upgrading to a dimmer switch. Everything went well, no glitches, light worked well.



Then I went to close the door, and snapped the knob off the front of the dimmer.....

[Piersman2]

King Herald said:

Then I went to close the door, and snapped the knob off the front of the dimmer.....

I recently had an extension built and mounted the light switch for the ensuite on the wall outside.

Then I measured where the OH's wardrobes would be fitting into the bedroom.

Then I removed the external lightswitch and used a pull cord switch inside the ensuite instead.

Wide wardrobes!

[hairyben]

Should've bought a dimmerswitch with a deeper plate, or a slimmer module;)

Nay worry, I carry about 30 or so dimmer modules and evan I don't have the right one sometimes.

[Solitude]

UpTheIron said:

Nothing smacks of a cheap installation like surface mount. Get it sunk into the wall!

well said. looks Sh*te.

[Mojooo]

dont really care TBH, that light switch has been like that as long as I have lived in this house - which is probably 95% of my life - I would rather keep it in a box!