AC current newbie - whats going on with this switch?

[5mall5nail5]

Kitchen Switch by Jon Kensy, on Flickr

I want to replace this switch with another style dimmer but I am not sure why there's a red/black tied together. Any help? It doesn't seem like a 3-way as I can't find another switch nearby that controls the light, but maybe it is? Any help?

 

[Stuart in MN]

Is it also running a ceiling fan?

 

[mm08822]

This is a single pole differ - not a 3 way dimmer. Turn the light off at the switch and see if the black(only ) terminal is hot or if the (red and black) terminal is hot. If the black only is hot then someone is powering up both red and black through the switch - maybe a light and fan as previously suggested.
If the red/black is hot, then someone is splicing these 2 wires together under the terminal of the switch to pass power from one cable to the other.
Either way, there should only be one wire under a screw. You will need to make a pigtail (with a 3rd piece of wire and wirenut)and tie the new wire (only) from the wirenut to the switch terminal.

 

[5mall5nail5]

Thanks guys - you're right, the black/red combo terminal was hot. So they are feeding another cable with it to another location. I ended up doing it like so for now:


New kitchen dimmer installed by Jon Kensy, on Flickr

Is that still not to code? It seems reasonable that there are two push holes at each terminal, so, that's what I did for now. If I need to make a pigtail I will.

 

[Charles (in GA)]

Did you push the wires in and then tighten the screws to make them tight? If so, this is a decent switch setup. If you merely push them in and they lock, then this is a setup you will have problems with later. I suspect they are a push in and tighten the screw, as I don't see a slot for a release tool like that used on the push in and spring lock type.

Charles

 

[5mall5nail5]

Charles this is a push and screw down setup

 

[Charles (in GA)]

It should work fine and you should not have any problems from that. I would say that is a permanent fix.

Charles