In contrast, standard switches always send the maximum available voltage to the light which burns the bulbs out faster. Using a 3 way dimmer switch helps your bulbs last longer than with a standard non-dimming switch because you can power them with less voltage. This is done by turning a knob or sliding a handle on the switch. You can adjust the brightness of a light by reducing the power supply to the bulb. By reducing the voltage a light will become dimmer.ĭimmer switches use a turning knob or a slide to control the voltage flow to a light. Adjust the flow of electricity to a light.Ī 3 way dimmer switch can adjust the voltage supply to a light fixture.You can use a 3 way dimmer with a regular 3 way switch. However, both switches do not need to be dimmers. 3 ways are commonly used in large rooms with different entrances, hallways or staircases.Ī 3 way dimmer must be installed along with another 3 way switch. How A 3 Way Dimmer Switch WorksĪ 3 way dimmer switch must be installed with another 3 way switch in order to turn a light on/off from two locations. This is a fantastic feature in Modern open floor plan homes that have multiple entry and exit points such as a dining area, kitchen, hall, stairway or living room or the opposite ends of a long hallway.Ī 3 way dimmer switch is ideal for places where you need to turn on or off lights from two locations, such as the top and bottom of a staircase.
#3 WAY SWITCH VS 2 WAY SWITCH SERIES#
It takes a pair of three-way switches working together to route electricity on or off from both locations.Ī 3 way dimmer allows you to turn a light or series of lights on and off as well as control the light output. A three-way switch by itself is not enough to control a light. To make the circuit function properly you need two locations both using a three-way switch. One is a common wire which has a current while the other two carry the common current to two lines. That’s why a three-way switch has three screws. Whenever two switches control a single light or a group of lights, you need a three-way dimmer.Ī three-way dimmer doesn’t just turn electricity on/off and dim the light, it also switches the current from one line to another. This lets you dim the light from one location and turn the lights on and off from another. You’ll need a three-way dimmer and a three-way switch to make the circuit function properly. With a three-way dimmer, you can control the same light with two switches from opposite ends of a room. With a standard single-pole dimmer, a single switch controls the light.
Dimmers come in two basic designs: standard single-pole dimmers and three-way dimmers. Yes, a dimmer can be used on a 3 way switch.
0 kommentar(er)
