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hustlerpete · Joined: 02 Mar 2008 Posts: 1 Location: Connecticut

I have a old home in Connecticut. The current dimmer has 2 black and 1 red wire. There is a on/off switch across the room for the light. I have a new 3 way dimmer.

it has 1 black, 1 green, and 2 red ( one red says its used for use in a 3 way installation only)

Can this dimmer be used? and how would I hook it up.

Thank you very much.

Pete.

b · Posted: Sat Mar 15, 2008 10:12 am Post subject:

In a 3 way installation there are 2 wires that go between the switches only and 1 from each switch that go to the hot in the panel or the hot on the light, it is that configuration that makes it work from the 2 locations. The black on your new dimmer should get the wire that either goes to the light or the one that goes to the hot wire. Each red will go to one of the travelers between the switches. Green is ground. Is your old dimmer a 3 way also? If so it may be in reverse color wise as there are 2 black and 1 red.
B