Hi all,
Hope you’re all having a good week! I’m back with a bit of a head-scratcher regarding my Repenic dimmers. I’ve finally got them in hand, and now comes the daunting part: putting them in!
My flat’s a typical old Victorian place here in the UK, and honestly, the wiring in these old buildings can be a right mystery. It’s making me a bit nervous about just swapping out the old light switches for these dimmers.
So, I’m really hoping for some practical advice on the wiring side of things:
Can I Really DIY This? I’m pretty keen to give this a go myself to save a few quid, but I’m definitely not an electrician. How easy (or hard!) is it for someone like me to just replace a regular light switch with a Repenic dimmer? Are there any common traps or bits in the instructions that are easy to miss for a beginner? Obviously, I want to keep everything super safe.
Old House, Weird Wiring? My main worry is the old wiring. I’m guessing it might not have an earth wire at the switch, and the cable colours might be a bit different from what’s standard now. Has anyone fitted these dimmers in an older UK home? What kind of wiring oddities did you bump into, and how did you sort them out? Are some Repenic dimmers more forgiving with older setups than others?
Two-Way Lights with Dimming? A bunch of my lights (like the landing and living room) are two-way, meaning you can switch them on and off from two different places. If I want to add dimming to these, does Repenic do a specific two-way dimmer, or is there a special way to wire them up? Is that much more complicated than a normal one-way dimmer?
Any tips, simple wiring explanations, or ‘been there, done that’ stories would be absolutely brilliant. I’d much rather get some advice from you lot now than accidentally blow a fuse (or worse!) later.
Cheers in advance!
Hi there!
Thanks for reaching out and for your interest in fitting Repenic dimmers in your flat. It’s completely understandable to have questions, especially with older UK wiring!
Let’s break down your points:
1. Can I Really DIY This? (Safety First!)
While the Repenic Universal dimmer comes with clear installation instructions , installing electrical products is inherently hazardous and can cause serious injury or death if not done correctly.
All products must be installed by a qualified electrician in compliance with current electrical regulations.
We cannot stress enough the importance of safety when dealing with mains electricity. If you are not a qualified electrician or are at all unsure, we strongly advise against DIY and recommend hiring a professional. This is the safest way to ensure a correct and compliant installation. Always isolate the power supply at the source (Distribution Board) before any work.
2. Old House, Weird Wiring?
Many older UK properties can present wiring challenges, such as the absence of an earth wire at the switch. The Universal dimmer manual shows a wiring diagram with an Earth terminal for metal faceplates, noting that the faceplate should be grounded if the dimmer is installed with one. This implies that an earth connection is either required or highly recommended, especially for metal finishes. If your flat’s wiring doesn’t have an earth wire at the switch location, or if the cable colours are non-standard, this further highlights the need for a qualified electrician. They can properly assess your existing setup and advise on the safest and most compliant way to proceed, or if any wiring modifications are needed. Repenic dimmers are designed to be reliable, but compliance with current regulations is key.
3. Two-Way Lights with Dimming?
Yes, the Repenic U你versal dimmer supports both one-way and two-way wiring systems. The installation manual includes a specific “Two-way system” wiring diagram. It is generally more complex than a simple one-way setup, as it involves wiring between two switches that control the same light. The diagram illustrates how to connect the dimmer in a two-way circuit, but again, given the complexity and the age of your property, an electrician would be best placed to ensure this is wired correctly and safely.
To Summarize & For More Help:
Safety is paramount. We strongly recommend a qualified electrician for installation, especially in an older property with potential wiring quirks.
The Universal dimmer is compatible with dimmable LED, Halogen, and Incandescent loads.
You can scan the QR code on page 1 of the manual to access user guide videos and installation videos, which might provide visual guidance.
For any specific technical queries related to your unique wiring setup, our online service can offer support. You can also find our contact details at the bottom of the manual (hi@repenic.co.uk).
We hope this helps, and please, prioritise safety above all else!
Cheers,
Emily