I have a standard light switch that controls a track light over my kitchen island and would like to know if I can replace it with a dimmer switch? I am using CFL spotlights.
Thanks for your question. I know a lot about this because I have replaced the standard light switch that controls the track lighting that is over the island in my kitchen. The standard mini spots that we were using were adding extra heat in the kitchen, especially while cooking. Add to that the amount of energy these types of lights use, and the CFLs were the wise choice to make.
To resolve this problem, I was able to purchase some CFL spotlights, probably like the ones you are using, so that we wouldn't have the standard CFL "twisted" look showing in the spotlight fixtures. There are actually several different sizes and shapes of CFLs that many people might know are are available. Take a look at the following photo to see a few of them.
The thing you will notice when using a dimmer with some CFLs is that they take a little longer to come to full brightness then the more common incandescent light bulbs. This may be bothersome at first because you will used to the instant on you got before, but once you do get used to it, it should be no problem.
Once the lights come to their full brightness, the dimmer will work just like any other type of lighting where you can set the brightness to your liking.
As far as installing the dimmer switch, it is just a simple process. The first and most important thing to do is turn off the electricity to the switch by switching off the correct breaker in the circuit breaker box. To be sure, turn the lights on with the switch you are planning to replace. If you have someone that can help you, have that person stay in the room where the lighting is located while you go to the breaker box. When you switch off the correct breaker, have the other person signal you that the lights went off.
Now with the lights off you can proceed to remove the existing light switch and replace it with the new dimmer. Make sure to remove all the wires from the existing switch and then look at the following photo that shows how to wire the dimmer switch.
Notice that there are two black wires and one green wire on the dimmer switch. You will need to take one of the black wires and connect it to the black wire coming from the light fixture and connect the other black wire to the black wire coming from the feed or hot wire to the switch location. Connect the green wire to the ground wire. Make sure to secure all connections with wire nuts.
Once you are sure you have everything secured and wired correctly, mount the new dimmer switch to the wall, turn the power back on, and should now have control of the track light.
Please note, there are several different choices or styles of dimmer switches you can choose from, but the wiring process should be the same.
I hope this helps. Rick
Rick Maselli is Founder and Editor of Showroom411.com and Ask Rick
