I had a GE Smart dimmer working on one of my three gang switches. Everything was working perfectly.
Recently, after changing the under-cabinet lights to dimmable LED ones, I tried to replace the traditional switch with another smart dimming one in that same 3 gang box.
I have neutral wires and grounds. I’d like to think that I know what I’m doing when wiring these devices (I have 4 installed at home), but I’m out of ideas.
I wired the 2nd dimmer next to the one that was working. When I turned the breaker back on, none of them was glowing blue (aka, no power to the device). I’ve triple checked all the connections, measured voltages with a multimeter… nothing will make them turn on. I’ve even put everything back as it was before, with 2 traditional switches (both working) and just one smart dimmer and now the dimmer won’t even turn on…
HOW CAN THIS BE???
I’ve even tried swapping the dimmer for a new one that I had in a box, nothing.
Is my house haunted??
Attached is a picture of my original setup, with both switches working and the dimmer completely dead.
I agree possible accidentally switched line and load wires. Once you get frustrated it’s easy to mix up wires. (Guilty of this soooo many times)
Also check that your neutrals all have good connections. There’s 5 of them under 1 wire nut. Possibly it’s in there but has slipped back and not making good contact? I think your supposed to put 4 wires in 1 wire nut. Or something like that. I’m not an electrician but I’m sure one will chime in.
I’m positive that I didn’t switch load and line. Like I said, I triple checked everything with a multimeter and the line is hot while the load is at 0V.
I manually twisted the neutrals together before putting the wire nut, so I know there’s a good connection. Plus, the other switches work, which suggest that the neutrals are all connected closing the circuits.
What’s driving me nuts is that I had everything working with 1 dimmer. Tried to replace a traditional switch with an extra dimmer and that’s when everything went to crap. Now none of the three dimmers that I have will turn on.
Attached is the wire connections on the dimmer, exactly as it was when it was working.
I don’t doubt you’ve checked everything over and over.
If you do have 120 measured on the line to the neutral screws on the switch (right now, as it is, like this picture). Then I’m stumped as well. Possibly somehow damaged your switches. (I doubt that) as it seems you have verified everything multiple times.
Guess we’ll both get to learn something here. When someone else has a better idea?
Don’t worry about it. You just lost track of the wires in your frustration. Been there done that, tossed tools, family hid!!
Project is done, lights are working. That’s what makes this forum great. There’s others to help you back up and figure stuff out. Next time you’ll be helping me!
