How to wire an LED dimmer switch from old halogen dimmer

[Jack4747]

Hello,

I’m trying to wire an LED dimmer to replace the older dimmer which is running halogen bulbs. All the wires are the same colour, brown. Two wires go into the COM terminal, and one goes into L2. My new switch has COM, L1 and L2 along with a screw on the metal plate for an earth. I presume the wire which is COM on the old switch goes into COM on the new switch. The same for L2. But how do I know which of the two wires in COM currently is the earth so that I can connect it to the earth on the new plate?

Thanks

Kevi

 

[westward10]

None of those brown wires are earth. You have no earths hence it is not advisable to use a metal switch.

 

[Lucien Nunes]

As above, no metal-fronted accessories should be installed in this location (not even the old dimmer) as there does not seem to be any CPC (earth) available. A metal front could become live and present a serious risk of shock in the event of breakdown of the dimmer insulation. If you fit a plastic dimmer switch, connect exactly as before, with the two wires from the old com into the new com. One is the live feed and one is the live loop out to the next switch.

 

[Jack4747]

None of those brown wires are earth. You have no earths hence it is not advisable to use a metal switch.

Ok, thanks for the reply. So if I use a plastic switch plate instead I can just put the same two wires from com to com and l2 from old switch to l2 on new switch?

 

[Jack4747]

As above, no metal-fronted accessories should be installed in this location (not even the old dimmer) as there does not seem to be any CPC (earth) available. A metal front could become live and present a serious risk of shock in the event of breakdown of the dimmer insulation. If you fit a plastic dimmer switch, connect exactly as before, with the two wires from the old com into the new com. One is the live feed and one is the live loop out to the next switch.

Got it, thanks Lucien!