Question for the electrical gurus

[Mudslinger]

I have can lights in my living room that are controlled by 3 switches. 2 normal switches and one a dimmer switch. The new bulbs I put in are not made for a dimmer so I have that dimmer switch turned to full on. I want to change the dimmer out to a normal style switch. Do I just need the normal or a 3 way for this changeover? Also, the bulbs will flutter quiet often, is this because of the dimmer switch or what?

[ted_kennedys_liver]

regarding fluttering of bulbs what kind of bulbs are in the cans - incandescent or fluorescent?

[Txjourneyman]

If there are 3 switches you have two 3 way switches and a 4 way switch. You will need to pull the dimmer out. See if it has 3 wires or 4.
Please turn the breaker off first.

[E.TX.BOWHUNTER]

Need a little more info. Do the 3 switches control 3 different sets of lights? Are all 3 switches in the same spot? If so a 3-way switch does nothing for you as these are installed in pairs. There is also an additional traveller wire needed between the 2 switches. There are some very good diagrams on the net if you search 3-way switch. If you are worried about the dimmer, just install a regular switch if it controls 1 set of lights with no other switches controlling those same lights.

Is the fluttering isolated to one set of lights from 1 switch or only on the dimmer switch lights? Or do all lights flutter?

[Txjourneyman]

Need a little more info. Do the 3 switches control 3 different sets of lights? Are all 3 switches in the same spot? If so a 3-way switch does nothing for you as these are installed in pairs. There is also an additional traveller wire needed between the 2 switches. There are some very good diagrams on the net if you search 3-way switch. If you are worried about the dimmer, just install a regular switch if it controls 1 set of lights with no other switches controlling those same lights.

Is the fluttering isolated to one set of lights from 1 switch or only on the dimmer switch lights? Or do all lights flutter?

Good point. I was working on the assumption that he meant switches in 3 different locations, not 3 separate switch legs.

[Mudslinger]

There is one switch coming out of the bedroom, one switch by the door to the back yard and the dimmer is located across the living room by a hall. All three control 8 can lights. The bulbs in there now are Bright White R30 Floods, a compact flourescent.

[T-RENT]

The dimmer is either a 3way or 4way. You will have to do what txjourneyman mentioned. Like he said turn off breaker . Its safer.

[konahoss]

I would just remove the dimmer and wire the wires to complete the circuit. Then put a wall plate on it and hang a picture over it. JMO

[Txjourneyman]

Yep. My first post is what you need to do.

[ted_kennedys_liver]

what they said

[texag93]

With out going into travelers, switch legs and all that other electrical jargon....you have 2 3-way switches and a 4-way. If the dimmer has 4 wires, you'll need a 4-way, 3 wires, a 3-way.

[Mudslinger]

Got it, thanks!

[texag93]

...and a bare ground doesn't count as a wire.

[Txjourneyman]

...and a bare ground doesn't count as a wire.

Good point!

[Mudslinger]

OK, here is a pic of the above mentioned dimmer switch. As you can see 3 white wires or joined together with the red wire cap and 2 of the 3 black wires are tied under the black electrical tape. 1 black wire comes out of the romex leading into the box and goes in one side of the dimmer and another wire comes out the other side of the dimmer and ties into the other 2 black wires under the black electrical tape. There are 3 different runs of romex coming into this box. Can I just tie all 3 black wires together and then just put a plate over the opening and eliminate this switch (turning of the juice before I do)? What says the GS?