3 Red Wires- Can Anyone Help

[Eeneymush]

Hi, I decided to cap off an old dimmer switch today and so I went to local DIy store to buy some electrical tape and a blank face box -

However, on opening up the old switch I found 3 red wires... seemilgly, one coming out on it's own from a grey sleeve and the other 2 together....

I removed the wires from the dimmer switch and taped them up but after fixing the face plate back on, the main living room light now doesn't switch on..

now am a little annoyed as can't remember the sequence to replace the old one..

if it helps, on the back of the dimmer is home automation 60-630W (200 -250 v.ac)

on the top left corner is marked 1F fixed, the right corner has 1, L1 bottom right has2, L2 and the bottom left has variable 3...

obviously any help at all is much appreciated..

Eeney

[VHG]

>>>now am a little annoyed as can't remember the sequence to replace the old one..

Always make a note of any wires or cables before disconnecting anything.

I always do it when disconnecting all the TV related cables, computer cables etc.

[Old_Geezer]

You should note and check what each wire does rather than rely on long distance advice over the Net.

By the sound of it, it is likely that one of the reds is the incoming live mains. This can be checked with a neon screwdriver if you are careful and don't touch the live wires, or accidentally touch them to something else. One is likely to be taking the mains to something else that needs it. The last wire, and I'd hazard a guess it is the one on it's own, is likely to go off to the lamp to light it.

You need the switch instructions to work out the connections there. I'd suspect the common is probably the one marked F but in all honestly I'd be loathe to proceed without the switch instructions. I'd hate to suggest something and you then blow something up because of it.

[Old_Geezer]

PS you can always swap it with a normal switch until you find someone who knows about dimmers to take a look at it.

[weedwhacker]

Eenny meeni minee or mo.

You takes your choice and go with the flow

[BRIGHT SPARK]

SWITCH OFF at the distribution board....then using the appropriate connector block join the single red with grey sleeve to one of the reds from the twin.Put another connector on the other red to make safe.Switch on at the mains and the light will work from the remaining 2 way position......if the switch is working backwards then put the other red from the twin with the red/grey and make the other one safe.DONT USE NEON SCREWDRIVERS THEY CAN BE LETHAL IF THE RESISTOR FAILS.

[wildwood]

Sorry, but if you're the sort of handyman that would put electrical tape over wire to permanently isolate them, you really should not be allowed anywhere near electricity. My advice would be to call someone who knows what they are doing.

[Eddie27]

You've obviously disconnected a two way switch and the other switch that doesn't work now is the other side of it. You can't just tape it up, buy a two way switch and put it where the dimmer was.

[beso]

If you don't properly understand wiring then you should not be fooling around with it. Get an electrician.