How to install a dimmer switch

Are you wiring for 3-way or single pole?
In other words, are you using 1 switch (single-pole) or 2 switches (3-way)
http://waterheatertimer.org/pdf/Pass-and-seymour-3-way-3-speed-fan-control.pdf

Before installing device, separate all wires in box and turn power on and then test each wire to bare ground wire >> tester will light up on Hot power source.
Black wire on device is connected to Hot power source.
Red wire on same side of device as black wire is capped off in single pole application.
Red wire on other side of device from black wire goes to the fan motor.
Green wire is ground.

Set fan on highest speed before connecting red wire to fan, and then do not adjust fan speed using pull chain.

I am unsure what volt-amp-testing will show for power output on either red wire, but certainly it will vary as the switch is adjusted to each speed.

Call 800-223-4185 for Legrand tech support.

If you need further help, I’m available over the phone at https://www.6ya.com/expert/gene_9f0ef4df2f9897e7

Hi,

If the directions didn't give you specific connections, look at the color of the stranded wire inside the insulation. If one is gold and one silver, the gold goes to the black incoming, the silver to the white incoming, and the green is ALWAYS ground.
If both of your stranded wires from the dimmer switch are silver, either can be connected to the black and white. Green is always ground.

I hope this helps. If it does, I'd appreciate your vote. Thanks for visiting fixya.com

Handie andie

I answer questions for free
I work with timers and electrical devices.

If I understand correctly you replaced a 3-way switch.
The new switch has 3 screws (plus green ground screw)
You put the Hot wire on the dark screw correctly.
You attached the two travelers to the brass-colored screws.
The two travelers are red and white.
You connected the ground wire to the green screw.
The ground wire is not supposed to be connected to with the white wire, and I doubt it is because that would trip the breaker.
The lights are working correctly.

If you followed the formula above to the letter, then the lighted switch should light up.
My best guess at this point is that the lighted switch is defective.
The Pass and Seymour webpage does not have manuals to look at like Leviton and Lutron products.
As a result I can't pour over a manual and put a magnifying glass on the wiring and wording to see if there is something we've missed.
But it's just not that complicated ... the light switch should light up.

At this point, I suggest you re-read the instructions (just in case?) and then swap the switch for another one ... or get different brand.

The important thing to remember is your switch has two wires.
Sometimes the colors vary a bit because of the specific circuit.
The green wire, when present, is a ground wire, and always connects to bare copper wire.

If your dimmer has two black wires, then connect dimmer-wires to either switch-wire
If the dimmer does not work, simply reverse the two wires.

If your dimmer has a red and black wire, then connect dimmer-black to switch-black, and dimmer-red to switch-white.
Again, if dimmer does not work, reverse the two wires.

Answer back if you have trouble, and I will help.

You posted under Pass and Seymour rotary dimmer that has two wires.

If your dimmer is like other rotary dimmers, it has a black and red wire.
Or it has 2 black wires.

If your switch has 3 wires, then the dimmer will not work.
If your switch has 2 wires:
Probably both switch wires are black.
One of these wires goes to Load (lights)
The other wire is Hot from breaker box

If dimmer has 2 black wires, they connect to either wire from switch.

If dimmer has black and red wires,
> dimmer-black connects to Hot from breaker
> dimmer red connects to Load
> green (if available) goes to bare copper wire

Recommendation:
If you do not know which wire is Hot from breaker, simply hook up dimmer and see if it works.
If it doesn't, then reverse the wires.

If this information does not fit your specific dimmer, please answer back with more details and we'll get it working.

You're right, green goes to ground.
Black wire connects to Hot wire from breaker box
Red goes to Load (fan, light, motor)

Ok which wire on the switch goes to the Load?
And which goes to Hot from breaker box?

You can test or you can simply hook up the device. If it doesn't work, swap the two wires.
It just won't work until the 2 wires are correct.

Found a .pdf file that shows LSDC163pwv ... it does not show wiring for LSDC. It shows wiring for other 3-way dimmers & separate wiring for 3-way fan control. This is a clue.

The Pass and Seymour download page does not load, so I can't see specific manual.

Let me provide what I know:
-Instructions might be confusing because LSDC works for both single-pole and 3-way circuits ... which probably adds a lot of extra wording in manual
-LSDC Device has single-pole/3-way dimmer (this requires 3 wires)
-Device has single-pole/3-way fan control with 3 speeds (which requires 3 wires)
-That's 6 total wires
-If I understand correctly, you just want to control a ceiling light? -And you do not have a fan? And your ceiling light is set up with 3-way switches.
-IF you are also wanting to control a fan in addition to the light, the box will need separate wires that go specifically to the fan >> your description shows that you do not have separate wires for the fan. Is this correct?
-Without separate wires to the fan, you can still control the light ... but if wires to light also turn the fan on-and-off, then the LSDC is not the right control since a dimmer for lights will not work on both fan and light.
To wire the light:
-You have identified black common wire for light (it is connected to dark-colored screw on 3-way switch)
-You have identified travelers that connect the 3-way switches
-The neutral wires seem to be twisted together at back of box.
-I think the dimmer is located on the top, and fan control is bottom?? Not 100% sure >>>
-Question: are there 3 wires that are associated with dimmer?
-If you can see 3 wires for dimmer, one of those wires should be black ... just hook that to common, and hook other 2 wires to travelers ... and see if it works. If not, keep connecting them until correct combination is found.

Tip- I read a lot of electrical part manuals, and when confused, I write out the instructions so it breaks down the information.

no- one wire goes to one screw and the other wire goes to other screw. It shouldn't matter which one goes where, just seperate.

Would suggest you contact the Pass and Seymour Div. of Legrand (France) and ask for the pdf file with the instructions. Your unit has a wireless function and must be work properly.

You should have just two wires for dimmer.
One goes to the black going to the light.
The other goes to the power coming in.
If you took off regular switch, Just disconnect the wires and put back the same as it was.,