Just wanted to double check something regarding 3 way circuits… <!—-><!—-> <!—->
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I was asked to install a dimmer on a 3 way circuit (one light fixture and currently 2 pole switches). I’m familiar with the mechanics of how the circuit works and in the past when it came to installing a dimmer, I replaced only one of the pole switches with a proper 3 way dimmer. My understanding is that you cannot replace both pole switches with dimmers.<!—-> <!—->
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I know this is going to sound ridiculous but it’s the only way I can explain my logic so you can correct me if I wrong. Here it goes… It would seem to me that if there was a dimmer, downstream from another dimmer, you would be dimming a dimmer, resulting in a lessening in the desired illumination. <!—-><!—->
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Am I correct in my understanding that I cannot replace both pole switches with dimmers? <!—-> <!—->
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As always, thanks for any answers or advice given. <!—-><!—->
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Replies
A "basic" 3-way dimmer is just a dimmer followed by a 3-way switch.
If you installed on at both ends then you might have 2 in series with some combination of the position of the 3-way part. I suspect that it would work, at least over some range of dimming. But it would not work if both where at lower levels.
So for basic dimmers only one is installed at one place and the while the light can be worked from the other end you are limited to whatever the dimmer is set to.
However, there are other options.
Lutron makes a unit that comes with a master and slave for about $40-50. HD has it. Then you can add upt to 9 more slaves. It is electronic, but wired similar to regular 3-ways. It allows both on/off and dimming control from any switch position.
Thanks Bill,<!----><!----><!---->
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I appreciate your reply. I’ve learning a lot from you over the years. Thanks. <!----><!---->
Nut: We have a houseful of Lutron's three way dimmers. They are GREAT!DonDon Reinhard
The Glass Masterworks
"If it scratches, I etch it!"
The other little difference with a 3-way dimmer is that the dimmer function has a limit on it, so you can't dim the light to zero. You have to turn it off with the switch. That way you can always get some light by turning it on at the other, switch only, location.
-- J.S.