Chloe Zhang
Installing a dimmer switch plastic actuator involves placing a plastic piece between the steel rod and the cruise/wiper lever. To access this area, you will need to remove the wheel and the upper bearing housing. Applying wheel bearing grease can help keep the plastic piece in place during reassembly.
How to install a dimmer switch plastic actuator
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Type of light | Dimmers are rated for specific types of lights. If you plan to use an LED bulb, you need an LED dimmer. Incandescent and halogen bulbs work with most dimmers. |
| Number of switches | Dimmers come in two basic wiring configurations: standard single-pole dimmers and three-way dimmers. |
| Number of bulbs | Check how many lights you will be connecting to the dimmer switch and add up their wattage. |
| Safety | Always cut the power to the dimmable switch at your circuit breaker box or fuse box before installation. |
| Grounding | New dimmers have either a green grounding wire or a green ground screw that you’ll have to connect to a grounding source if one is available. |
| Wiring | Use needle-nose pliers to bend the wires around the terminal screws on the dimmer switch, then tighten the screws with a screwdriver. |
| Tools | Flat-head screwdriver, Phillips-head screwdriver, wire strippers, wire cutter, neon voltage tester, pliers |
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$19.48
What You'll Learn
Removing the plastic decorative plate
To remove the plastic decorative plate, also known as the faceplate, you will need to locate the screws holding it in place. In some cases, the screws may be hidden behind a front cover plate. If there are no visible screws, gently insert a flat-head screwdriver between the plates and use it to pry off the front cover plate. Be careful not to exert too much force, as these plates can be delicate and prone to breakage.
Once the front cover plate is removed, you will expose the screws holding the back cover plate in place. Use a screwdriver to loosen and remove these screws. With the screws removed, gently pull the back cover plate away from the wall, taking care not to damage the underlying wiring or components.
If the faceplate has no visible screws and does not easily snap off, there may be a small indentation or tab inside the plate. Using a flat-head screwdriver, gently push the tab inward, and then pull the front plate off. This will expose the screws for the back plate, which can then be removed in the standard manner.
In some cases, the faceplate may simply snap into place without the need for screws. In these instances, gentle prying with a screwdriver or similar tool may be sufficient to release the plate. However, exercise caution to avoid damaging the plate or surrounding wall.
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Disconnecting the wires
Before starting any work on disconnecting the wires, it is important to ensure your safety. Always cut the power to the dimmable switch at your circuit breaker box or fuse box before installation. Confirm the power is off by flipping the current switch on and off or test the circuit with a known working voltage tester.
Now, you can begin disconnecting the wires. First, remove the plastic decorative plate covering the light switch using a flat-head screwdriver. When you lift the plate off, you will see two screws holding the switch itself against the electrical box. Remove these with a Phillips-head screwdriver.
The wires attaching to the switch are thick and do not move easily. Gently stretch them by pulling the switch away from the wall, giving yourself some room to work. In most cases, the wires are connected to the switch in one of two ways: they are either held down by screws on the sides of the switch or twisted to the ends of wires coming out of the switch and secured with wire caps (little plastic cones that hold and protect the wires).
If the wires are held down by screws, loosen the screws on the side of the switch and then pull the wires out. If your switch is being replaced by a three-way dimmer, one wire will be connected to a screw that is coloured differently or labelled "common". Label this wire with a piece of electrical tape so that you can identify it when wiring the new dimmer.
If the wires are twisted to the ends of wires coming out of the switch, you will need to unscrew the wire nuts around the switch wires and house wires. If the house wires are bent, use a wire stripper to cut off the twisted ends. Remove 3/4 inch of casing from the end of the house wires if needed.
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Replacing the switch
Before you begin, ensure you have the right tools for the job. You will need a flat-head screwdriver, a Phillips-head screwdriver, wire strippers, and needle-nose pliers. You may also need wire cutters, electrical tape, and a voltage tester.
First, cut the power to the switch at your circuit breaker box or fuse box. Confirm the power is off by flipping the switch on and off. Remove the existing wall plate and the screws mounting the switch to the wall box with your Phillips-head screwdriver. Gently pull the switch away from the wall, taking care not to damage the wires.
If you are replacing a three-way switch, one wire will be connected to a screw that is coloured differently or labelled "common". Tag this wire with a piece of electrical tape so you can identify it later. Disconnect all wires from the old switch. If you are replacing an existing dimmer, you will need to unscrew the wire nuts around the switch wires and house wires.
If your home has a neutral wire, you will need to purchase a dimmer switch that is compatible with neutral wiring. If your dimmer switch requires a neutral connection, connect the neutral wire on the switch to the neutral wire from the wall.
Use wire strippers to remove 3/4 inch of casing from the end of the house wires, if needed. Connect the ground wire from your dimmer to a green or bare copper wire in the wall box. Twist the ends together clockwise and cap them with a wire connector nut.
Connect each dimmer wire to a house wire by gripping the wire ends with a pair of pliers and twisting them together. Bend the wires around the terminal screws on the dimmer switch and tighten the screws with a screwdriver to secure each wire. Push the wires neatly back into the box, ensuring there is enough space for the dimmer switch.
Slide the dimmer switch into the junction box and secure it with screws at the top and bottom. Put the faceplate over the dimmer switch and tighten the screws. Finally, turn the power back on at the fuse box or breaker panel and test your new dimmer switch.
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Testing the connection
Testing the Grounding:
Before installing a dimmer switch, it is essential to test the grounding to ensure a safe connection. If your house has plastic-sheathed cable wiring, you will typically find a bare copper ground wire. Use a neon voltage tester to verify that this wire is connected to a ground. If the test confirms grounding, proceed to connect the ground wire to your dimmer switch.
Verifying Power Disconnection:
Before beginning any work, ensure that the power to the dimmer switch circuit is completely cut off. You can do this by turning off the power at the circuit breaker box. To double-check, try flipping the current switch on and off or use a voltage tester to ensure that power is not reaching the circuit. This step is crucial for your safety.
Connecting the Dimmer Switch:
Once you have confirmed that the power is off, proceed with connecting the dimmer switch. Remove the existing wall plate and screws mounting the switch to the wall box using a screwdriver. Gently pull the switch away from the wall to access the wires. If your dimmer switch has stranded wires attached, hold them together with the stranded wire protruding slightly beyond the solid wire. Use a plastic wire connector and twist it clockwise to connect the wires securely.
Securing the Dimmer Switch:
After connecting the wires, neatly push them back into the box. Slide the dimmer switch into the junction box and secure it with screws at the top and bottom. Place the faceplate over the dimmer switch and tighten the screws. Now, you can head back to the fuse box or breaker panel to turn on the electricity.
Testing the New Connection:
With the electrical connection restored, it's time to test your new dimmer switch. Turn on the switch and adjust the dimmer control to ensure that the dimmer switch functions properly. If the dimmer switch responds as expected, your installation was successful. If not, double-check your connections and ensure you followed the manufacturer's instructions correctly.
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Reassembling the plastic actuator
To reassemble the plastic actuator, you will need to first remove the wheel and the upper bearing housing. Then, apply some wheel bearing grease to the plastic piece. This will help keep it in place during reassembly. Finally, put the plastic piece back between the steel rod and the cruise/wiper lever.
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