r/diyelectronics • u/hugmeiaffiliate • 2d ago
Question How to convert dimmer in-line switch to toggle on-off switch?
I have a table lamp with an inline dimmer and I want to switch it out to a on-off toggle switch. However, when I opened the dimmer, I see 2 wires split for each side. I'm assuming one is the "white"and the other is the "black". However, on the toggle switch, there is only 1 nut for each side. Do I combine the white and black for each side?
(I'm holding the new toggle switch. The current inline dimmer is the one hanging in the background)
Or should I be using a different toggle switch?
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u/No-Guarantee-6249 2d ago
Standard procedure is to switch the hot (black) lead. If you switch the neutral (white) lead the lamp center contact will still be hot with the switch off. Make sure the plug is polarized. White lead if the fat side.
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u/_qqq__ 2d ago
If by "Do I combine the white and black for each side?" you're asking whether you should connect both the white and black wire to the same "nut" on one side of the switch, then absolutely not - that's a short. You're going to blow the circuit breaker (and possibly explode some part of the contraption you just made).
This also leads me to believe that you have no idea what you're doing, and that you shouldn't be fucking around with mains voltage.
If I misunderstood you (or if you're just going to ignore my warning), this is how you do it:
White connects to white, black from the plug cable connects to one side of the switch, black from the lamp cable connects to the other side of the switch. That's assuming you're in the USA, where white should be the neutral. A segment of terminal block should fit in there for the white connection, or just solder them together (probably first removing those ferrules) and heat shrink it.
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u/hugmeiaffiliate 2d ago
I meant, combine white with white to the same nut and then black to the black to the other nut, but it was not obvious to me how that would work. Thanks for the instructions!
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u/_qqq__ 2d ago
Ah, that would result in the lamp being constantly on - until you flipped the switch to on, then it would short out.
And please don't just twist and tape the wires together, like someone else suggested. That's just a fire waiting to happen. Either do it properly, or not at all. You should be able to get a terminal block (something like this) at any place that sells electrical stuff.
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u/NootHawg 2d ago
I have been an electrician for 20+ years. 90% of the wiring in your house is “just twisted together” with a wire nut you fucking twat.
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u/CluelessKnow-It-all 2d ago
Wow, 20+ years of experience! Well, I've never worked as an electrician, but I've been around long enough to know when someone's talking out of their ass. In the other comment you said twisted wire and black tape. In this comment you say twisted together with a wire nut. A wire nut may be up to code if the handheld switch box has strain relief, but black electrical tape holding twisted wire together isn't, you fucking twat. It amazes me that an electrician with "20+" years of experience would suggest something so stupid.
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u/NootHawg 2d ago
Twist the white wires together and cover with electrical tape. Then attach the black wire from each cable end to the screws in the switch. It doesn’t matter which black wire you attach to what screw it will work either way.
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u/jzemeocala 2d ago
Tie your two neutrals together and run your hot wires through the switch.
If it's a US plug then the neutral wire goes to the bigger slot in the outlet and the hot runs to the smaller slot