I have three rows of lights. Each row has its own single pole preset dimmer switch. I want to keep them on a separate switch like that plus adding the fourth switch to shut of all the lights with that fourth switch.
Any help please. Thanks
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Are all the dimmers in the same box? Have you looked at the wiring in that box? Is there anything else in the box? Are you comfortable removing that box and adding a bigger one?– JPhi1618Commented Feb 8, 2018 at 20:03
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From a user experience standpoint, I predict frustration. The scenario is that you go to switch on one of the original switches and nothing happens. Maybe what you're looking for is a more advanced controller scenario, where toggling the new switch turns off all lights but doesn't disable the other switches.– isherwoodCommented Feb 8, 2018 at 20:15
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I foresee a problem with dimmers losing state. Most do not give any consideration to having power severed to them, they don't have NVRAM to remember the dimmer setting you had them at, or whether they were last on or off. Expect to have to turn the main switch on, then turn on and set each dimmer every time. Or... use clunky old mechanical dimmers, which tend not to play well with LED.– Harper - Reinstate MonicaCommented Feb 8, 2018 at 20:38
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Yes that is what I am looking for .– JoeCommented Feb 8, 2018 at 20:40
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Yes the switches are all in one box. And I don't have any problem removing the old and putting a bigger box– JoeCommented Feb 8, 2018 at 20:41
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1 Answer
Your best case scenario is that you have one hot wire that comes into your switch box and is chained to one screw of all three dimmers. Maybe the wire comes in and is spliced into three wires that each go to a switch, or a clever person has just stripped insulation from the middle of the wire and chained it from switch to switch. The other wire going to each dimmer would then go out to each row of lights.
image from https://www.do-it-yourself-help.com/wiring-two-outlets-one-box.html
In this picture, the source coming in from the bottom is what I'm referring to. You would have three switches and lights, but the diagram only shows two. If you put a new switch on the incoming hot wire before it goes to the other dimmers (before the black wire nut in the bottom left), you will be able to cut power to everything with that one switch.
Of course that is just one way to wire the lights. You could also have a switch loop that comes from each row, or a combination of switch loops which would make this a more complicated endeavor.
