Two switches controling one light fixture, can they both be dimmer switches?

[Slacker]

In my hallway there is one light fixture with a switch at either end of the hall, I would like to put in dimmer switches so we can leave it on at night but have the intensity a bit lower, would it be a problem for both switches to be the dimmer type?

 

[Danlz]

It would have to be a 3-way - if such an animal exists

LINKY Go to Electrical Supplies>Light Dimmers.

 

[bunker]

Ummm.. 3 way not required. Just replace both switches with dimmers. No problems.

Danlz - He's talking about one light that happens to have one switch at one end of the hall and another switch at the other. There's no need for a three-way.

 

[Squisher]

huh,

bunker, how could you operate one light with two switches and those switches not being 3-ways?

 

[Danlz]

Bunker - I see your point. Best to peek at existing switch and wiring to see if 2 or 3-way and replace accordingly.

 

[Squisher]

I wish I could see his point.

 

[Infos]

They are both three way switches

I don't know if there is such a thing as a three way dimmer switch

Call an electrical supply place to be sure

But it must be a three way switch


EDIT: Son of a gun learn something new everyday
That's a good thing to know
Thanks Squisher

 

[Squisher]

Yup there are 3 way dimmers and some can be ganged together.



linky

 

[Slacker]

Hehehe, I have had too many close calls with electricity to screw around with it, that is why I asked when I was four or five I stuck a handfull of arts and craft wire into a wall outlet, I remember being at the hospital with my hands soaking in some kind of liquid, a few years ago I was using a brass keychain as a screwdriver on a switch that was supposed to be turned off at the breaker, the thing slid off the screw and made contact, sparks flew and a chunk was melted out of the keychain :Q

O.K. , looks like I need a couple of three way dimmers, I suppose I can pull one of the switches and take it with me to HomeDepot and make sure it is three way, thanks for the info!

 

[bunker]

Okay, I'll call myself and idiot and admit I'm wrong !

Note to self: Don't do any home wiring w/out consulting father first (He's an electrician).

 

[Sluggo]

I installed dimmers on 3way switches at our old house. It took me a while and a phone call or two to an electrician buddy, but they worked great. The only issue I had was that my wife would not push the switch off to the point where it clicked, therefore leaving it on just a little, when she did this, the other switch was disabled, so you had to walk all the way to the other side of the room and turn the switch all the way off, then back across a dark room to the switch you wanted to use. Sounds screwy, but one switch has to be off for the other one to dim or work at all.

 

[jenny30701]

I have the same question however Im not wanting a dimmer I want to unconnect them to make them work alone. In my daughters room there is a hall way that opens into where her bedroom is (was an add on to the back of the house, the hall is just closets) there is a light switch when you 1st enter the hall way and another one at the end as you enter her room, both work the lights in the hall and her room, I just put a ceiling fan in her room so I want the light switches to work seperatly because in order to leave just her fan on the hall way light is on also.

 

[sdifox]

I have the same question however Im not wanting a dimmer I want to unconnect them to make them work alone. In my daughters room there is a hall way that opens into where her bedroom is (was an add on to the back of the house, the hall is just closets) there is a light switch when you 1st enter the hall way and another one at the end as you enter her room, both work the lights in the hall and her room, I just put a ceiling fan in her room so I want the light switches to work seperatly because in order to leave just her fan on the hall way light is on also.

Hire an electrician? Holy necro.

 

[Red Squirrel]

Wonder if OP ever got his lights working or if it ended up like this:

 

[Red Squirrel]

[double post - delete]