How To Install A Lutron Dimmer Switch DIY Smart Home
I hate laying in bed and realizing one of the Teens left all the lights on downstairs. We decided to try out a Lutron Dimmer Switch. This dimmer connects to the Amazon Echo and has an app to control the switch.
We opened our old switch up to see how many poles/wires were connected. Then, we popped on to Amazon to find a Smart Home Light Switch. There were a lot of different kind of smart dimmer switches. We settled on the Lutron, mostly because of the reviews. We love to read reviews.
Caseta Wireless Smart Lighting Dimmer Switch and Remote Kit for Wall & Ceiling Lights, P-PKG1W-WH, White, Works with Alexa
https://amzn.to/2J4MMwQ
GETTING STARTED
Before you go around ripping switches out of the wall, there are a couple of things you should know about wiring and dimmer switches:
– Not all dimmer switches are compatible with Compact Fluorescent Lights. If you have CFL bulbs you can always update to LED bulbs, we did.
– Check to see if the switch you want to replace is a single pole (one switch) or three-way (can be turned on/off from multiple locations) switch—that too will determine the type of dimmer you need.
– Some dimmer switches use resistors so you’re paying for the electricity even though you’re seeing less light. Newer dimmer switches will actually conserve energy when you’re not lighting the bulb at full capacity.
What You’ll Need
Your basic electrical tools will do for this job.
– Screwdrivers (flat and Phillips)
– Voltage detector (not strictly necessary but highly recommended)
– Wire cutters/strippers
– Dimmer switch (I prefer the kind that are the same size as a regular toggle switch
– New Wall Plate
INSTALLATION
Step 1: Power Down
Not at the switch—at the breaker. This inst supposed to be a shocking experience. I always use a voltage detector before touching any wires.
Step 2: Out With The Old
Once everything is shut off, unscrew the old switch and pull everything out so you can get a good look at it. For a toggle switch like this, the wires are more than likely wrapped around the connector screws. Either loosen the screws or use the wire strippers to snip the ends off and remove the old switch. Ours were stuck, so we cut them.
Step 3: Install the Dimmer
To install the dimmer, read the instructions to make sure you’re clear on what wires go where and which is the top and which is the bottom. As always, green denotes the ground or copper wire. The other two black wires attach to the black wires coming from the wall.
To connect the wires, strip 3/4″ of casing off the end, twist the wires, and then twist eh wire connectors over the exposed wire. Tape them off with electrical tape, just to make sure they are secure.
Step 4: Putting It Back Together
Once the wires are attached, you will want to re-fasten the switch to the electrical box with two screws top and bottom, and then re-attach the switch plate.
Turn the breaker back on, and there you have it… no explosions! I mean time to sync the switch to your network and Amazon Echo.
Download the Lutron App and follow the instructions.
It will have you pair with the Light Switch and connect it to the network. From there Alexa will find the new device.
Now, you can turn your lights on and off from ANYWHERE!
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FYI: We are not professionals, and we don’t claim to be. This is what we found worked for our project. Yours may need a little different approach. Safety first!
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