I have a Leviton dimmer from approx 1973. Push on/off, one light affixed, no fan, dial knob. It has just died. What replacement product can I use? The current item is marked as 600W 120 V.A.C. and has two wires connected to the back: one black wire that's "hard wired" into the unit and one white wire attached to the unit by a flat-head screw. My wall connection has a black and white wire protruding...the white is the one affixed to the dimmer by flat-head, while the black is connected to the black wire from the unit by a splice. I purchased a replacement Leviton item (model 6681), but it has two black and one green wire comong from the unit. I wasn't clear from the diagram as to the next step(s). I was mostly unclear as to the green grounding wire...there is a copper-colored wire in the outlet box, tied down with a flat-head screw. Do I affix the green grounding wire to this same flat-head screw? Or do I use a completely different product...or a completely different solution? Please advise...I need some help!

Leviton 6161 is shown on Leviton as 500 watt incandescent-only 4-level dimmer that cannot control a fan.
If this is a ceiling fan and light, then search for fan light dimmer, or fan control,

If this is bathroom fan-light installation, you are needing a countdown timer rated for both bulb and fan... which will require Neutral wire...
Different timer choices with manuals appear following link:
http://waterheatertimer.org/Countdown-timer-horsepower-ratings.html#Leviton

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Your product is not identified by number given.
Leviton posts manuals online by searching Leviton xxxx .pdf.
There is a CPT 602 lighting console
However no result shows online or at Leviton for a 602 dimmer
Contact Leviton:
http://www.leviton.com/OA_HTML/SectionDisplay.jsp?section=37579&minisite=10251
Add a comment and attach photo or video for possible identification

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Look at product number again to see if numbers posted are correct.
Also include what type of device this is: rotary dimmer? slide dimmer? touch dimmer? Switch? single-pole application or 3-way? And include what you are replacing.

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

It depends. Some dimmers are considered "smart dimmers," where the control on the other end of the 3-way has to be intelligent enough to send a signal back to the dimmer. If the Lightolier dimmer was a smart dimmer, then chances are that the 3-way control was designed to talk only to that specific dimmer. The Leviton product you replaced it with is a simple, basic dimmer - it should work in conjunction with a simple, basic 3-way switch.

If the 3-way control already IS a simple, basic 3-way switch - then I would simply re-check the wiring of the dimmer you replaced.

That range seems a little small, but I think still within reason. The reality is that dimmer manufacturers consider the basic rotary dimmer to be the red-headed step-child of their product offering. They offer it because they have to, not because they want to - and as such, typically dump as little money into the quality of the product as possible.

You posted under Leviton rotary dimmer.
Lutron and Leviton have many 3-way dimmer styles, and both make 3-way rotary dimmers.

I remember years ago replacing 3-way switches with dimmers and having same experience as you. One dimmer has to be ON for the other dimmer to dim.

Later I learned when you replace both 3-way switches with dimmers, you buy a control-and-companion dimmer set. One dimmer is main, and it lets you dim from both locations. The two dimmers communicate with each other electronically. Buy these dimmers at lighting store that specializes in fixtures and dimmers. Ask for most experienced salesperson.

I checked to see if rotary dimmers are made in the companion set. And neither Leviton or Lutron show 3-way companion set rotary dimmers.

1) Leviton spec sheet on rotary 3-way dimmers does not show companion dimmer. This indicates that Leviton rotary dimmers don't have capability of communicating with each other.

2) Lutron has image of 3-way rotary dimmers.
Image shows single rotary dimmer in 3-way & 4-way circuit.
This tells me that Lutron does not have companion dimmer for 3-way rotary dimmer.

The Leviton 6681 is a push-button rotary-type incandescent dimmer with 600Watt capacity

If you have incandescent bulbs, the dimmer should work.
If the dimmer has different color wires, try reversing the wires.
If the dimmer replaced a 3-way switch, then this is not the right dimmer.
If you have compact florescent bulbs, you need a dimmer that also dims florescent.

http://www.google.com/products/catalog
Link shows the Leviton 6673 incandescent and florescent dimmer

But you also need dimmable compact florescent bulbs.
http://www.amazon.com/DIMMABLE-COMPACT-FLUORESCENT-LIGHT-SPIRAL/dp/B0014B84ZM

As a general rule, grounding will not affect operation of dimmer.
Type of dimmer, type of switch being replaced, type of load, and how you connect wires will affect dimmer.

Here is Lutron dimmer switch page
http://www.lutron.com/Products/StandAloneControls/Dimmers-Switches/Pages/DimmersSwitches.aspx

What is the load? Are you wiring dimmer to a ballast? Or fan? Or incandescent lights? Or florescent lights?
Are you replacing a 2-way or 3-way switch?
What color are your dimmer wires?
How many wires were connected to switch?
Can you re-install the switch, and know where each wire went?
Did you replace a light with a fan, and then want the dimmer to slow the fan? Not every dimmer will work with a fan, or florescent lights.
Dimmers cannot dim LED lights.

If I know what type switch you are replacing, and the type of load you want to control, and the specific dimmer you have, I can answer the question.

I think you should get a licensed electrician , if you dont wire it up correctly you could burn your house down and i dont think insurance companys take klndly to diy electrical work around the home .

Is it connected to a fan motor also? - most dimmers are for lights only - if there is a ceiling fan connected you may experience a humming sound from the dimmer