Usually this is indicative that you have a 3-way lighting circuit, but only a single-pole dimmer. For most lighting circuits, the red wire and one of the black wires are supposed to be run over to a second light switch. You need dimmer rated as a "3-way" in order for that to work. If you get stuck, I would call the manufacturer's tech support number at 1-800-523-9466. They're available 24/7 and it will not cost you anything.
SOURCE: 1 way and 3 way dimmer switches
The answer to your question depends on the manufacturer and type of 3 way dimmer you are using... generally you can use a 3 way switch as a single pole switch, but whether or not this holds true with the dimmer you are using depends. Let me know what you are trying to acomplish and model numbers mfgs of what you have and I'll try and help
SOURCE: The wall switch that I am replacing, with a 3-way
Ok the RED is Phase and the Black is Neutral... Green is Earth. you have an IN, Red wire, and an OUT Red wire, the rest just go color to color. So in the socket, one Red wire goes to one Red wire from the dimmer, the other Red wire in the socket, goes to the other Red from the dimmer, then Black to Black, and Green to Green. Be careful do NOT work on it live.
SOURCE: Replace 3 way dimmer but different color wires how to connect?
you will want to make the following connections
existing-black wall to black dimmer now connects to red dimmer
existing black wall to red dimmer now connects to black dimmer
existing red wall to black dimmer now connects to red dimmer
Green wire connects to bare copper wires in wall
SOURCE: I'M REPLACING AN OLD LEVITON
with a three way switch like this, you will have two traveller wires and a common wire. Look in the instructions for the switch or on the back of the device itself to see if there is a wire labeled "common" or "com". This common wire from the old switch hooks up to the common wire on the new switch. I did a bit of searching on the leviton 6602, but couldn't find anything specifically about the three way version (I would venture to guess, however, that the red wire on the old switch is the common). The common on one of the three way switches will always be a constant hot (or power) wire...the common on the other three way switch will be the "switch leg" or the wire that connects directly to the light. The two travellers go to the other two wires. Check the pamplet that came with the lutron device, it should show which wire is common and which are travellers.
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