Why Does This Dimmer Switch Not Work Correctly?

[gslonesoldier84]

Three images are attached here. Two show the dimmer switch connections and one shows one of the two light fittings.

There are two identical light fittings (six total bulbs) on this dimmer switch. It has one knob only but it sorta works. It's been like this for some time but I think it's how I wired it that's the problem.

There are two identical light fittings and I bought this dimmer switch:

Screwless Antique Brass LED Dimmer Switch (2 Gang)

This 150W dimmer is a 2 gang push on/off brass LED dimmer switch with matching Screwless brass dimmer switch cover. The brass switch plate has an antique brass brushed effect.

socketstore.co.uk

But they sent one with only one knob. I didn't think anything of it as the lights do turn on with this dimmer switch. It just takes a really long time and sometimes up to like 15 times pressing the switch to get the lights to turn on.

Is it wired incorrectly? Is the dimmer switch actually the wrong one sent out?

Please help!

Thank you!

 

[westward10]

If your original switch had two switches then your new dimmer needs two switches. You have managed to incorporate two switching circuits into one, you need a dimmer with two switches and not one.

 

[freddo]

And install it so there isn't copper hanging out of the terminals, and connect the earth wire to the front plate etc.

 

[Avo Mk8]

The light bulbs you show seem to be 'Edison' filament types. If they are say 40Watts each, and you have two fittings with 3 bulbs each, that's a 240 Watt load on a 120 Watt dimmer.
Even if they are 25 watt bulbs, that is still more than the rating of the dimmer.
Dont join two lighting circuits like that, but I think the fundamental problem is the single dimmer is not rated for the load you have. Had you received the dual version, no problem!

 

[Markyd]

Those pics.....my eyes are bleeding

 

[DefyG]

but it sorta works.

It may switch on and off and possibly dim but with a load potentially double that of the rated dimmer capacity it might not sorta work for too long.
Please tidy up those terminations and earth the front plate, there is a terminal for the earth, its not just for show!

 

[telectrix]

and it's probably not you (OP) that's done it, but untwist those bloody conductors. twisting is for the likes of chubby checker and impressionable teenagers.

 

[gslonesoldier84]

Hi

Thank you for responding!

Quickly:

My confidence to attempt electrical works has gone up immensely after I have read the answers to my question here!

Now, for the resolution, I've taken the first step of requesting the right dimmer switch be sent to me with this email sent to the people I bought it from via socketstore.co.uk:

An invoice is attached here. The Screwless Antique Brass LED Dimmer Switch (2 Gang) was not received. Instead, I received two of the single dimmer switches. The one in the image had two dimmer knobs. The ones I received only had one each. I thought there was no error (for some reason which I've forgotten now) and proceeded to install the switches.

You can find the problems that resulted from this error in this thread which I have started on electriciansforums.net:

Why Does This Dimmer Switch Not Work Correctly?

Three images are attached here. Two show the dimmer switch connections and one shows one of the two light fittings. There are two identical light fittings (six total bulbs) on this dimmer switch. It has one knob only but it sorta works. It's been like this for some time but I think it's how I...

www.electriciansforums.net

I understand it has been some time since the order, but the reason for this is primarily due to lack of time as I just installed what came and didn't have time to go back and correct anything. I thought it might start working correctly after the dimmer switch was programmed which it hasn't been still. But the problem is the switch itself that was sent out was the wrong one.

Please send the Screwless Antique Brass LED Dimmer Switch (2 Gang) which I paid for but never received. Also, please advise on what you would like me to do with the single switch which was sent in its place.

This is the switch I need to be sent to me in order to correct the problem with the installation:

Screwless Antique Brass LED Dimmer Switch (2 Gang)

This 150W dimmer is a 2 gang push on/off brass LED dimmer switch with matching Screwless brass dimmer switch cover. The brass switch plate has an antique brass brushed effect.

socketstore.co.uk

 

[ipf]

Hi
Thank you for responding!
Quickly:
My confidence to attempt electrical works has gone up immensely after I have read the answers to my question here!

Desponding, more like.

 

[gslonesoldier84]

Desponding, more like.

No, responding!

I hadn't considered that a great deal of support is available to make sense of electrical cables and connections.