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Cphill58 View Profile |
Build a dimmer switch
My example includes a grounded receptacle for additional plugs. Materials needed: Extension cord with ground Double gang or single gang box ( plastic) with knock outs Matching plaster ring Dimmer switch Receptacle grounded 15 amp 120v with side terminals Romex connectors Wire connectors Cover plate 1 Ft of 14 gauge romex 2 wire (black ,white, green) Green is not counted as a wire …always assumed ground and a given. Tools: Wire strippers, Sharp utility knife, a voltmeter or any light on a cord to test for power. And about 1 hour of your time
Step 1: Turn of power to the switch at the electrical panel. If you feel you need to …for our purpose it is not necessary. Step 2: Mount backer wood to enclosure, to facilitate mounting of electrical box. ¾” x 10 x 6…use 1 ¼ screws… Step 3: Prepare single or double gang box. Trim off any tabs or doohickies that would get in your way ….sometimes the box I buy has extras I don’t need. Knock out romex connector holes as needed (2)…assemble romex connector, lock ring inside and install in ½ knock out hand tight at this time. Pre planning your wiring at this point is a plus. See pictures for example.
Step 4: Prepare used or new extension cord as follows. Determine how long you need for distance to nearest plug…measure from male end to distance needed add minimum 12” cut the cord. Strip wires of plastic sheath back 6 inches. Then each wire strip ¾” to reveal bare copper for connection. The total length of the female side can be at your discretion, I say about 18 inches. Prep the same as for male side.
Step 5: Insert male extension cord bare wires into romex connector and pull into gang box until cord sheath is ¼ / thru romex connector into the box side. ( electrical code …more is ok but ¼” min.) clamp with screws provided on romex connector leave enough wire to allow ease of wiring. Step 6: Install female ended side bare wires first… procedure same as male side
Step 7: Prepare receptacle, cut open the extra foot of # 14 romex and separate a white black and green wire. Strip one end only at this time ¾” bare copper on each color.
Land black wire on dark gold colored screw terminal, make a loop with your wire cutters or needle nose, and secure tightly. Also make sure the other gold terminal that you don’t use is tightened down too. No need for it to be making contact with anything. Attach white wire to silver colored terminal. On other side of receptacle. Attach green to ground at lower left. * Note * All receptacles have a black colored wire for power and they should always land on the darker colored terminals…the white / neutral wire always goes to the lighter colored terminal. Always tighten down loose terminals not needed.
Step 8: Lets get the dimmer in place and wired up. A dimmer is a switch power in , power out (black) with a ground. Connect one black lead from the dimmer to the black power from the male extension cord coming in it doesn’t matter which one from the dimmer you use…. Connect the other dimmer black to the receptacle black and black female extension cord end going out… Now is the time to trim the other black end from the receptacle and make a good connection with wire connectors. You can cut it down to about 4-6” and trim back to copper ½” Lay receptacle close to work and imagine how you will neatly route the wires and stuff them in the box.
Don’t worry if you have to twist anything 90 - 180 degrees no problem. Step 9: connect all the green wires (3) at this time with a connector…again trimming and cutting excess wire for a neat and tight installation. Step10: Connect the white / neutral wires (3) power in / receptacle / power out. Trim and strip as needed.
*Note* when connecting stranded wire and solid wire with a connector, let the stranded wires lead ahead of the solid wire by about 1/8” to insure a good connection. Tug on each wire to see if it falls / pulls out of the connector. Better to discover it now than later and be pulling it all apart. Redo it if it does. Step11: Now get the Plaster ring and weasel it over and around your work to get on to the plaster ring screws. Begin to stuff and route your wires firmly and neatly into your box. Make room for two small screws to mount your box to the wood backer. If you don’t have a drill driver …pre-drill the box with suitable tool to ease the installation.
* Note* I just push the wires away and screw right through the plastic in to the pre mounted board with, what else, 1 ¼ “ dry wall screws. Screw it to where you want it now. Mount the ring and then mount the dimmer (Dimmer has a TOP side up) on the aluminum plate. Now finish the receptacle to the mount holes.
Step12 : Attach cover plate and make sure you line up the holes nicely or you can’t get the screws in. Attach dimmer cap , plug in male end and test female side for dimming with a lamp. Test receptacle for full power with the same lamp. No smoke …no fire … that’s a good thing. PM me if you need details or you get stuck…always happy to help : D CP |
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| 05/19/08 05:26pm |
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Yexalen View Profile |
Message To: Cphill58 In reference to Message Id: 1740284 Build a dimmer switch
:D |
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| 05/19/08 06:32pm |
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Audio View Profile |
Message To: Yexalen In reference to Message Id: 1740398 Build a dimmer switch
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| 05/19/08 06:36pm |
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Cphill58 View Profile |
Message To: Audio In reference to Message Id: 1740403 Build a dimmer switch
About 15.00 bucks ...I had the extension cord 4.99 for the dimmer 2.99 for the romex connectors and I had some wire nuts. Thebox and ring another 3-4 bucks The receptacle 1.29...pro series..you can get the cheap one for .59 misc screws found on job sites..extra wire....maybe 1.00 |
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| 05/20/08 11:03am |
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Angelkitty View Profile |
Message To: Cphill58 In reference to Message Id: 1741177 Build a dimmer switch
Quote: 4.99 for the dimmer
2.99 for the romex connectors and I had some wire nuts. Thebox and ring another 3-4 bucks The receptacle 1.29...pro series..you can get the cheap one for .59 misc screws found on job sites..extra wire....maybe 1.00 You forgot to add: A homemade dimmer switch - priceless. Sorry I HAD to throw that in. Nice job on the dimmer switch though! Angel  |
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| 05/23/08 09:36am |
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Viper191 View Profile |
Message To: Angelkitty In reference to Message Id: 1743995 Build a dimmer switch
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| 05/23/08 11:20am |
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Cphill58 View Profile |
Message To: Viper191 In reference to Message Id: 1744047 Build a dimmer switch
Viper my goal is to provide help to keep costs low, as we all know this can be an expensive hobby/ passion. If I can share my talents to help others... then I will do so, gladly. Do folks charge for the help I receive with my lizard or enclosure or any other question I have . The answer is a resounding NO! If I choose to help others I do so willingly and freely...I hope the the kids that change my diapers when I am 90 years old can grasp this.... The world is a competitive place ...but there is still the basic premise , I hope, of helping your fellow man/woman /animal. FOR FREE |
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| 05/23/08 11:41am |
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Viper191 View Profile |
Message To: Cphill58 In reference to Message Id: 1744058 Build a dimmer switch
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| 05/23/08 12:22pm |
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Cphill58 View Profile |
Message To: Viper191 In reference to Message Id: 1744082 Build a dimmer switch
I would rather make them and give them to special friends with whom a bond and kindred spirit are shared. Heck half the parts come of job sites ....lucky me. You just be good to that lizard you are getting and any questions you have, we’ll be around |
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| 05/24/08 01:43am |
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Clouddancer22 View Profile |
Message To: Cphill58 In reference to Message Id: 1744698 Build a dimmer switch
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| 05/24/08 03:37pm |
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Yexalen View Profile |
Message To: Clouddancer22 In reference to Message Id: 1745121 Build a dimmer switch
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| 05/24/08 08:53pm |
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Cphill58 View Profile |
Message To: Yexalen In reference to Message Id: 1745359 Build a dimmer switch
Got the window home from the jobsite today 6x4....wow Plenty of outlets though .....lol |
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| 05/24/08 09:47pm |
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Clouddancer22 View Profile |
Message To: Cphill58 In reference to Message Id: 1745407 Build a dimmer switch
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| 05/24/08 10:54pm |
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Esteban the monitor View Profile |
Message To: Clouddancer22 In reference to Message Id: 1745500 Build a dimmer switch
matt |
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| 05/25/08 01:07am |
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Clouddancer22 View Profile |
Message To: Esteban the monitor In reference to Message Id: 1745581 Build a dimmer switch
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| 05/25/08 04:59pm |
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Cphill58 View Profile |
Message To: Clouddancer22 In reference to Message Id: 1746092 Build a dimmer switch
: D |
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| 05/26/08 01:44am |
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Cphill58 View Profile |
Message To: Cphill58 In reference to Message Id: 1746609 Build a dimmer switch
I am starting my Christmas list now.... CP |
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| 06/16/08 10:20pm |
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Clouddancer22 View Profile |
Message To: Cphill58 In reference to Message Id: 1763367 Build a dimmer switch
I think I will start a thread of my own for building this viv so you guys can give some ideas and input! I haven’t been able to download pics from my camera, guess I’ll just have to use my thumb drive. |
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| 06/16/08 10:56pm |
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Cphill58 View Profile |
Message To: Clouddancer22 In reference to Message Id: 1763411 Build a dimmer switch
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| 06/16/08 10:58pm |
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Clouddancer22 View Profile |
Message To: Cphill58 In reference to Message Id: 1763417 Build a dimmer switch
Actually, I will not be using paint. It is a Thomasville Oak entertainment center that I got for $50 delivered!! It is pretty much stained and finished already, I am just touching it up and waterproofing the inside. It’s been pretty slow going tho; I am always so busy and it is a bit of an overwhelming project for me. |
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| 06/16/08 11:07pm |
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Cphill58 View Profile |
Message To: Clouddancer22 In reference to Message Id: 1763425 Build a dimmer switch
Daing .....better furniture than I can afford for myself ....lol Send pics fast .... |
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| 06/17/08 12:56am |
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