- 1). Turn off the power from the breaker box to the circuit on which the switch is located. Remove the switch cover plate. Remove the 2 screws holding the existing switch in place. One will be above the switch and the other will be below it. Pull the switch out from the electrical box in which it is installed, being careful not to pull any wires loose.
- 2). Read the instructions for the new switch and determine which lead attached to the new switch is the 3-way lead (normally it is a red wire). Look at the old switch and locate the 3-way lead. It too will likely be red or will be marked in some way on the switch itself.
- 3). Disconnect the old switch (white, black and red wires) from the circuit either by unscrewing the wire nuts or cutting the wires. Remove the ground wire, which is either a bare or green insulated wire.
- 4). Strip the insulation off of the ends of the existing wires and those on the new switch (about 1/2 inch). Attach the new switch to the circuit, wiring the new switch (with the dimmer) to match the way the old switch was wired (white wire to white, black wire to black, and red wire to red). Attach the ground wire (green to green or bare to bare) to the new switch.
- 5). Install the new switch into the box the same way the old switch was installed, with the two mounting screws. Attach the switch cover plate.
- 6). Turn the power back on and turn on the switch. Verify dimmer operation by adjusting the dimmer.
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