The dimmer switch will turn on and off but wont dim the lights on a chandelier. model 6681-w. tried 2 different ones with the same results.

Install one dimmer at the load end feeding the light. Install a standard 3way switch at the other end. Make sure the dimmer switch is rated for the type of bulbs in the fixture. ie Led, halogen etc.

You miswired the switch. One of your black wires is misplaced.

Sounds like that dimmer you ruined
You must turn off power when replacing
And test the wires

Lutron Dimmer manuals
http://www.lutron.com/Service-Support/Technical/InstallationInstructions/Pages/InstallationInstructions.aspx?syst=Dimmers+%26+Switches&prodn=Maestro%C2%AE+dimmer+%26+switch

Lutron manuals show a couple things that might be affecting you lights.
1) Wattage: If you have wrong wattage dimmer
2) Type of light bulb: Dimmers work on different types of bulbs
3) Wiring: You say you got 3 wires going to the chandelier? Why you got 3 wires? Is this a 3 way switch? Are the chandelier bulbs wired separately so you can control groups of bulbs with different switches?
Does the dimmer have 3 screws? A dark-colored screw and 2 brass screws? If so, then that sounds like a 3-way dimmer. A 3-way, is where more than one switch controls the same light.

Does the dimmer have 2 screws? Then that dimmer controls a single circuit. Your black Hot wire from breaker box connects to one screw and the black wire to Load connects to other screw.
A quick glance at Lutron wiring manual shows that Hot and Load wires connect to either screw.
The question is your 3-wires from the chandelier ... does the black Hot wire from breaker arrive in the ceiling box first? Or does it arrive in the wall box first? If your Hot arrives in ceiling box, then the Hot must come down to the switch box and connect to a screw on the dimmer >>> a second wire connects to other screw on dimmer and travels up to the ceiling box where it connects to black wire on chandelier. The white wire on chandelier connects to white Neutral.
4) Dimmer might be bad

Which product is this (the one pictured doesn't have an LED indicator on it)?

I would call their tech support number 1-800-523-9466 to diagnose (available 24/7).


I suggest this because I can think of a few possibilities (is it a dimmable load or a non-dim CFL - is it an LED load that might not meet the minimum load requirement)? And I think the answer will differ based on what product you're using - do you have a model number of what product it is?

There's more answers that are needed to diagnose, so I would call tech support.

First you must have a neutral wire in the switch box for this dimmer to work. A neutral wire (white) is a current carrying conductor. A ground wire is an equipment ground and does not normally carry current. You should never connect a device that requires a neutral to a grounding conductor.
The neutral wouldn't have to come from the light fixture as long as it's on the same circuit. Another note is to check your light fixture, and be sure dimming is ok. Another choice you could have is to install a remote dimming device. You would mount this in the fixture canopy, and then use a remote dimmer.

In general practice, you can only install ONE 3-way dimmer switch to control the lights. If you use two regular 3-way dimmer switches, the circuit won't work.

However, newer technology allows for double 3-way dimming from different locations. See this article about how to do this:

http://www.smarthome.com/2494M3/SwitchLinc-3-Way-Dimmer-INSTEON-3-Way-Dimmer-Kit/p.aspx

Trip the breaker and verify that the fan/light will not operate. If tripping the breaker kills the circuit and flipping the wall switch would not, the switch is probably bypassed. Place the wall switch to "off" with the breaker tripped to the "off" position as well. Gain access to your wiring connections at the fan. Look for a single (black) wire that is not connected. This should be your hot return from the wall switch Make your fan/light connections to this wire. (Are you sure that the ground wire that you connected is a ground? If it is, it should be bare copper with no insulation). Your white (neutral) connection to the three white wires should be fine. If you don't find a single wire in the ceiling box, call on an electrician. Regards --WoobieDog--

florecent bulbs wont dim unless they are dimmable.

If the previous light worked ok and you didn't touch the wall switch, you must have a faulty connection at the chandelier end, check the connections again. Is there a seperate switch on the chandelier?