Dimmer switch on 3 way?


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Old 01-05-18, 04:42 PM
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Dimmer switch on 3 way?

I have recessed lighting in my basement. I have 3 light switches that control them. One in the garage, one at the walk out basement door and one at the top of the stairs. I want to put a dimmer switch On the one at the top of the stairs. Is that possible? Can I just replace the current light switch with a 3 way dimmer?
 
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Old 01-05-18, 04:49 PM
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Yes and no.
FYI.... that's called a 4 way system. A 4 way system is 2) 3 way switches and then additional 4 way switches.

Some dimmers claim to work with existing switches. The claim relies on the wiring being set up a certain way.

I no longer will install any single 3 way dimmers. I install a dimmer and then use additional slave dimmers. This method always works. The wiring will not be plug and play. Wire connections will need to be changed.
 
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Old 01-05-18, 05:09 PM
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Okay thank you. My brother had looked at it awhile back and said because of the way it's wired with the travelers the dimmer switch would need to b at the garage location.
 
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Old 01-05-18, 05:26 PM
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Depending on the dimmer.... that is correct. Some dimmers need to be at the line end and some at the load end.

With a dedicated dimmer and its slave remotes.... the dimmer can be at either three way switch location.
 
 

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