Can you put a dimmer on any light switch?

Upgrading your light switch to a dimmer is a great way to offer flexibility to your lighting configuration. One of the questions we get asked is, can you put a dimmer on any light switch, or replace any switch with a dimmer, to be specific. 

Light switches can be swapped out for dimmers in most circumstances, but there are a few considerations and exceptions to understand before swapping them out. As is always the case, we would always recommend consulting an electrician if you are unsure, but here are a few things to consider. 

One or Two Way Switch

The first thing to be aware of is that most dimmers only work as one way or two way light switches. They are not available as intermediate switches. This means they will work for lighting circuits with one or two switches. In this case they can be used as either of these switches. For a circuit with an intermediate switch, ie. a circuit with three or more switches on it, the dimmer can only be used as a two way light switch. That means on either end of the circuit. In most circumstances only one switch in a 2-way setup can be converted to a dimmer. Two 2-way dimmers cannot operate together with current technology.

Dimmable Lamps or Bulbs

When swapping out a switch for a dimmer, don't forget you need to make sure the light bulbs or lamps you are using are compatible with the dimmer you use. If you are using halogen lamps, you need to make sure you do not overload the dimmer. You need to check the maximum capacity of the dimmer in watts, then add up the wattage of all the bulbs and lamps that are connected to the dimmer, and ensure they do not total above the maximum wattage load. For LED lamps and bulbs, you can only use dimmable LED lamps. Please check with the lamp/bulb manufacturer for more details.