help w / re-wiring a floor lamp dimmer switch

[larryq]

My floor lamp's dimmer switch died recently. I ordered a new one and am now trying to figure out how to replace it. I'm no electrician and on my new switch the wires are color coded (black / black-white) while on the old one it's simply two same-colored, white wires, though one has writing on it, displaying the specs.

Does anyone know how to wire the new switch in without causing a house fire? How can I tell which wires from the new switch go in place of the old ones?

In the photos attached the first two pics are of the old switch, the third one is the new switch (in cardboard) next to the old one. The fourth picture is a closeup of the old switch's wiring, the fifth photo is a side by side of the new and old switch, and the sixth photo is that of the new switch.

Thanks for the help.

 

[walta]

I think you are overthinking this, in this circuit the black and the black with a white are interchangeable electrically.

If the lamp uses screw in bulbs and the cord is polarized (One of the blades of the AC plug is larger than the other so it will only fit in the receptacle one way.) Then you want to make sure the wire from the larger blade connects directly to the screw part of the socket without going thru a switch. That way if someone were to remove the bulb from the lamp and leave it plugged in and then touch the screw part of the socket they would not get a shock.

If your lamp is made of metal when your repair is complete and before you try the lamp, it would be a good idea to test with an ohm meter from all metal parts you are likely to touch to both of the blades of the AC plug with the switch both on and off you should get an infinite reading.

Walta

 

[larryq]

Thanks for the tips about the ohm meter check; it's not a screw in bulb, it's a halogen one like this but the cord is polarized.

 

[yatg]

One of the sides of the cord should be ribbed, that's the neutral.
If not, figure out which side of the cord goes to the wider neutral prong on the plug.

The black/white on the new dimmer s/b the neutral.