Dimmer switch installation

[tsdsbd]

I have a standard lamp with a CHE and I bought a standard dimmer switch it has 2 black wires and 1 green wire (I assume a ground wire) Im just wondering how I go about in stalling the dimmer to control the temps.

[Skittles1101]

It probably would have made life 3587236 times easier to buy a plug in lamp dimmer..

[Skittles1101]

But, here's something I found on google that may help.
http://www.diyadvice.com/diy/electri...|S||3675891928

[Raf702]

I definitely agree with her, buy a lamp dimmer switch. Easily attainable from Home Depot/Lowes/etc. for just under $15. And it will save you the headache of doing any electrical wiring/splicing/etc.

[Vypyrz]

Here is a thread with photos of the dimmer that most use. I would say reuturn the one you have and go with this one, unless you don't mind doing the wire splicing, etc..

http://ball-pythons.net/forums/showt...t-Instructions

[larry918]

I am an electrician. I agree with them... But... One is power the other is the switched conductor. And as you assumed the green is the ground. Unless it is other wise noted... It does matter which black goes to which wire.

[SlitherinSisters]

Oh man is sounds like you got a really difficult dimmer! Lamp dimmer for sure, I get mine for $10 and use them as backups on everything.

[jason79]

I'm an electrician also and I agree your best bet is a lamp dimmer its cheaper when you figure in the cost of the box,connector,and wire nuts you will need .

But if you did want to install the dimmer you have you will also need an electrical box to put it in and a cord grip style connector.
I am assuming your lamp has a 2 wire cord which means it does not have a ground so you wont be able to ground the dimmer without buying a cord with three prongs. If you did hook it up ungrounded I would use a plastic box. On your lamp cord one of the wires will have ribs on the outside edge it should also have the bigger prong on the plug that one is your neutral it needs to be connected together directly with a wire nut or not cut if possible. The other wire will be smooth on the outer edge it is the hot it needs to be cut and the side with the plug on it will go to the line side of the dimmer this should be marked on the back of the dimmer or in the instructions. the other side of the smooth wire that goes to the lamp hooks to the wire on the dimmer marked load. If the line and load are not marked at all on the dimmer it should not matter which way you hook it up.
But again I DO NOT RECOMMEND you attempting to install this on your own you could get hurt or cause a fire and it definitely not worth that but if your confident you can do it then that's your decision