Make sure the electricity is turned off at the main fuse box before proceeding! Take a box cutter to widen the space in the drywall and accommodate the new switch before installing. If your dimmer switch is too large for the box space, use a measuring tape to gauge the difference. Have an older home with a single-pole switch? Box dimensions have changed over time.

Older or historic homes can have different wiring and need special care to install. If you have less than three wires, stop and call an electrician. Older homes may only have a hot lead and a ground wire. Single pole switches will have 3 wires: a hot lead wire, a ground wire, and a traveler wire. If you can turn your lights off using a different switch than the one you used to turn them on, skip down to the 3-way switch section. You have a single-pole switch if you can only turn on/off your lights using a singular switch. They control the electricity to one light source. Single pole switches are your standard light switches. Test the wires with the voltmeter to triple-check voltage levels. Remove the old switch from the wall, carefully unwrapping the wires from the rubber section.Expose at least 1 - 2 inches of copper wire to ensure a tight seal with the wall wires. Open the dimmer switch and strip the rubber coating from the wires.Check your new dimmer package for dimensions to make sure it will fit. Most dimmers come with a plate to fit the new dimensions, but some are made to fit standard plates.

Unscrew the switch plate and save it if you are reusing it.Test the light switch afterward to make sure the electricity is off. Before touching the original light switch, turn off the power at your fuse box.$42 at Home Depot Credit: Klein Tools Remove the old switch

2 wire dimmer switch