Disconnecting wall lights from dimmer switch
Ask questions and find answers to many subjects relating to electrics and electrical work

5 posts   •   Page 1 of 1
Pappaden
Labourer
Labourer
Posts: 3
Joined: Thu Jul 29, 2021 9:24 pm

Disconnecting wall lights from dimmer switch

by Pappaden » Fri Jul 30, 2021 4:52 pm

I want to remove 3 wall lights which are obsolete.
They are connected to a dimmer switch which also controls the ceiling light.
The cables to the wall lights are - black, red, and bare which I assumme is earth.
The dimmer switch contains 2 sets of cables and is marked L1 L2 and C
The first cable is wired - red to C blue to L1 and Yellow to L2( earth to metal patrice)L
The second cable is wired - black to L1 red to L2 and earth to patrice.
I thought that the second set of cables were those for the wall lights and just disconnecting them would be ok.
Not the case.
Can anyone suggest how I should proceed.
I just want to disconnect the wall lights and still operate the ceiling light.

Mr White
Project Manager
Project Manager
Posts: 1303
Joined: Tue Jun 20, 2017 10:54 pm

Re: Disconnecting wall lights from dimmer switch

by Mr White » Fri Jul 30, 2021 9:36 pm

From your description, you must have another switch to turn the lights on and off. That is why you have a 3 core and earth and twin and earth, the 3 core connects to the other switch.

There are several ways your wall lights could have been wired, but my guess would be via junction boxes in the ceiling which means you will have to take the upstairs floor up to investigate further. (Trace the wall light cables back to the source and disconnect them.)

The alternative is to remove your wall lights, sink a single back box into the wall, put the cable (For each light) into the back box, isolate the cores with wago connectors, and to finish, fit a patress cover over each box. That way should you ever want wall lights the cables are still accessible and working.

Pappaden
Labourer
Labourer
Posts: 3
Joined: Thu Jul 29, 2021 9:24 pm

Re: Disconnecting wall lights from dimmer switch

by Pappaden » Fri Jul 30, 2021 10:16 pm

Thanks
That is what I thouught I might need to do.
Junctipnbox must be in the loft.

Pappaden
Labourer
Labourer
Posts: 3
Joined: Thu Jul 29, 2021 9:24 pm

Re: Disconnecting wall lights from dimmer switch

by Pappaden » Fri Jul 30, 2021 10:52 pm

Having disconnected at the junction box, the ceiling light flickers when on.
How do I overcome this?

Mr White
Project Manager
Project Manager
Posts: 1303
Joined: Tue Jun 20, 2017 10:54 pm

Re: Disconnecting wall lights from dimmer switch

by Mr White » Sat Jul 31, 2021 11:05 pm

In disconnecting the wall lights, you have loosened the other connections. Check that all the connections are tight and that you have NOT clamped any insulation.

5 posts   •   Page 1 of 1
It is currently Sat Apr 13, 2024 3:27 am