Very Basic Electrical Question

[fireant911]

Just a quick question concerning replacing electrical dimmer switches... Is is possible to just replace the switch on this older style -


to this newer style -


Oddly, upstairs has the old and downstairs has the newer type - it would look better if all were matching.

[stevej37]

Should work...I see no reason why not.
I replaced mine with these.
Just slide the button on the right to where you want the brightness at.
edit: I am no way qualified to answer your question!

[scotricker]

yes, totally easy correct. replace switch and cover plate, it will match right up

[craigster59]

A dimmer switch is just a rheostat, push for "on/off" and dial for voltage decrease/increase. It's a direct switch out. Although some of the newer bulbs are not dimmable, they're either off or on, make sure you get the dimmable ones.

[chrismorse]

if you have LED bulbs, they must be "dimmable", (says so on the package, but not on the bulb.
Similarly, if you are using a LED bulb, that is dimmable, the dimmer switch must also be rated for LEDs.

I think the decora style switch is ergonomically superior and the small slide dimmer more practical than having to use an antique rotary dimmer.

Dimmers are great because they allow big light for task lighting or lower general illumination light. I just put in a few ceiling light fixtures with two 100 watt, dimmable bulbs. works great.
chris

[hcoles]

Also, I think there are different types (technologies) of dimmers. You might consider getting the type that will work for dimmable LEDs and also work for conventional bulbs.

[hcoles]

E.g. I dug this up with a quick Google shot.
The type of dimmer switch and it's minimum/maximum load range will indicate the compatibility with LED light bulbs. Trailing edge dimmers work best with LED light bulbs and leading-edge dimmers work best with traditional incandescent and halogen light bulbs.

[blucille]

I think you guys are reading too far into it.

If the lights work with the round dimmer they will work with the decora dimmer.

Yup LED’s create come challenges. But that’s not today’s discussion.

[john70t]

I like the full lit switches at the front door and stairs for quick finding and safety.

They are difficult to get at big box stores without going into all the $30-50 internet connected mumbo-jumbo.
The only ones there had tiny white LEDs which were barely visible. Maybe that has changed.
I'm surprised they could be called 'lit'.

Ace had orange lit rockers but no other colors, no toggles, and not with a dimmer.
The electrician sourced an orange toggle to match the other but it was clear and a bit brighter.

[look 171]

It will work just fine.

[Crowbob]

Don’t do it!

I put one in a bedroom but when I turned on the faucet in the bathroom, the garbage disposal in the downstairs kitchen came on!

[wdfifteen]

^^
I hate it when that happens.

New electronic dimmers aren't simple rheostats, which your round one probably is. Not usually a problem unless you are trying to use it on a ceiling fan.

[fireant911]

Many thanks for the replies!!! I have several switches to replace (both regular and dimmable). Now I need to count the single pole versus double pole types and buy the materials. This will make a good winter project as this Southern boy has just moved from Alabama to the Upper Peninsula in Michigan (this translates to I will probably not be leaving the house when there is 30" of snow outside!).

[fintstone]

Folks are right. A simple swap if they are working now...but, as some have indicated, if you are going to the effort to do the swap, you might consider going to LEDs or ones you can also control from your phone for some.

[Crowbob]

‘Bama to the UP?

Have you lived in the UP before?

If not, you had better time your project because winter in the UP only lasts 9 months per year. The other three is just damn poor sleddin’! But you can grill on the 4th. Usually.

[john70t]

Better invest in some plant bulbs for full spectrum and Vitamin D. Yer in for an adjustment.

Ford has a UP Special Edition suv.

[fintstone]

Originally Posted by Crowbob

‘Bama to the UP?

Have you lived in the UP before?

If not, you had better time your project because winter in the UP only lasts 9 months per year. The other three is just damn poor sleddin’! But you can grill on the 4th. Usually.

When I lived in northern North Dakota, the best time of each year was when we were leaving for vacation and could see the sunflowers in the rear view mirror...the worst was the trip home. You knew you were close when you pulled into a rest area in Minnesota and had to turn on the wipers to see through the cloud of mosquitos that had descended on your car waiting for you to get out. Yep, when the mosquitos were so thick that they looked fur on your arm, you knew the two weeks of summer in ND had arrived.

[Crowbob]

The UP state bird is the mosquito.

[fintstone]

I think I would prefer rattlesnakes...or lions and tigers to really bad mosquitoes. We drove cross country and late one night we stopped just west of the Mississippi in West Memphis to use a bathroom. Never again. It took 500 miles to get the mosquitoes (hundreds of them) all out of the car. The next day, I looked like I had been in a poison ivy patch. It took two weeks for the itching rash to go away.

[Crowbob]