Kitchen Lights - adding a dimmer

[dan231]

I have a kitchen light with is wired to the eat-in kitchen area. There are 3 separate switches (back door, hallway, and stairs) that control both lights. I have 2 questions. All 3 switch locations are 2-pole switches.
1. Is it easy/possible to separate these lights to separate switches?
2. Can I add a dimmer for the kitchen light? Do I have to add the dimmer to all 3 switches, if not, then if the other switch is just on/off, will the on put the light to the last dim setting?

We are redoing our kitchen lights and thought this was a good time to explore some different options.

 

[davesparks]

A standard 2-way dimmer could be fitted in one of the positions which currently has a standard 2 way switch, but not the position which has an intermediate switch (effectively the third switch in the circuit)

As for seperating the lights I doubt it would be simple and will probably require new cables to be installed.

 

[Taylortwocities]

The type of dimmer will depend on the type(s) of light that you have.
Some lights (eg fluorescent) cannot be dimmed.

 

[dan231]

A standard 2-way dimmer could be fitted in one of the positions which currently has a standard 2 way switch, but not the position which has an intermediate switch (effectively the third switch in the circuit)

As for seperating the lights I doubt it would be simple and will probably require new cables to be installed.

Thanks - is there a way to find out which switch is the 3rd switch in that current?

 

[James]

It will have 4 wires going into it and the others will have 3

 

[dan231]

It will have 4 wires going into it and the others will have 3

OK, found this one...It does have 4 wires. This is the switch we really wanted on the dimmer. Does that mean this is a no-go then?

 

[Avo Mk8]

I thought there was a solution, but I'm wrong

 

[dan231]

I thought there was a solution, but I'm wrong

No worries - Thanks for checking! I did add a dimmer to one of the 3-wire switches and while it's not the switch we wanted to use, it does work great.

 

[Avo Mk8]

No worries - Thanks for checking! I did add a dimmer to one of the 3-wire switches and while it's not the switch we wanted to use, it does work great.

Glad you have a fix.
Actually there is a way, but money to be spent!
An electronic module would allow you to do this, but you would need to have access to the neutral wire, and replace all three switches with retractive (push button) types, or use Z-wave control.

I wouldn't bother!!

APNT-158 - Standard 3-Way Lighting Circuit with Intermediate Switch (w

This application note looks at how a Fibaro Dimmer 2 module can be installed to control a 3-Way lighting system with an Intermediate Switch and Neutral available..

www.vesternet.com