DIY Dimmer For Trailing Edge LV Downlights

[NNKXIII]

Hi All.
Be patient with me, as i am new to both the forum and most DIY stuff.

I wanted to install a dimmer in my bedroom before our first born arrives. I purchased a clipsal trailing edge dimmer and switch. I have connected it as directed in the instructions, but each time I turn the power back on, the safety switch kicks in and kicks the light fuse out.

Now my room has 5 downlights in it with electronic transformers. After I opened it up, i noticed 3 wires set up as follows. No ground anywhere. All 3 black wires (neutral i suppose) were connected in LOOP. 2 of the red wires were connected in the '1' hole and then the other red wire was connected into the C (which i assume is active).

Now the dimmer has 2 red wires also. It states that i need to connect one of them into the LOOP, and then other one into C. When i do this, and then turn the power back on, safety switch kicks its out.

Where am i going wrong? Any advice would help. Thanks guys.

[tricky4000]

May I suggest calling an electrician? You're not supposed to touch the electrical anywhere (including your own home) if you're not qualified...especially if you want to see your first born. Safety switches aren't 100% safe. Please, call an electrician to do it for you.
Dan.

[NNKXIII]

thanks for the advice.... but id rather do it myself. it can be that hard. and the cost of a sparky for 1 dimmer would be a fair bit i would say.

[petersemple]

Compare it with the cost of a funeral, and not being around for your kids.

Compare it with the cost of your house burning down and the insurance refusing to pay up because there was unlicenced electrical work performed.

Go the sparky

Peter

[madrat]

Compare it with the cost of a funeral, and not being around for your kids.

Compare it with the cost of your house burning down and the insurance refusing to pay up because there was unlicenced electrical work performed.

Go the sparky

Peter

Seriously, listen to Peter and get a lekkie!
You can't put a price on a life...
Doing it yourself just aint worth it..

[Uncle Bob]

Hi All.
All 3 black wires (neutral i suppose) were connected in LOOP. 2 of the red wires were connected in the '1' hole and then the other red wire was connected into the C (which i assume is active).

Now the dimmer has 2 red wires also. It states that i need to connect one of them into the LOOP, and then other one into C. When i do this, and then turn the power back on, safety switch kicks its out.

Sounds like your making a dead short when connecting red to the LOOP connection (with the black wires in it).

Mate, really with this stuff, if you don't know what your doing, get someone in that does.
Electrictricky, you can't see it, you can't smell it, but you sure can feel it (and sometime it can be the last thing you feel).

[nev25]

thanks for the advice.... but id rather do it myself. it can be that hard.

If its not that hard why the post??

Brave man
The fines for homeowners DIY Electrical work is pretty hefty
And you never know who's lurking around these pages

[juan]

Do not play with electricity or the installation of electrical equipment. Even electricians get it badly wrong as evidenced in the attachment which I recently received from the Office of The Technical Regulator in South Australia.

Attachment 71215

Do not end up being prosecuted for performing illegal electrical work or having your home insurance voided.

Cheers

[watson]

G'day NNKXIII,
As the forum members have said.....get an electrician.
If you had to ask those questions you should not be mucking about with 240V electricity.
Short answer......get an electrician.
Thanks to all the members who answered with the correct, safe advice.