Electrical Wiring Guide for PlatePrestige Hardware

Understanding the basics of electrical wiring is key to safely and correctly installing your PlatePrestige brass switches, dimmers, and outlets. This guide provides clear explanations and diagrams for common wiring configurations in North American (US) electrical systems. Always prioritize safety and consult a qualified electrician if you are unsure about any steps.

⚠️ Important Safety Precaution: Before working with any electrical wires, always ensure the power is OFF at the circuit breaker. Use a voltage tester to confirm the circuit is de-energized before touching any wires or terminals. Electrical work can be dangerous and should only be performed by individuals comfortable and knowledgeable with household wiring.

Basic Wiring Terminology (US Standard)

• Hot/Live Wire (Black or Red): Carries electrical current from the power source. Brings power to the switch, dimmer, or outlet.
• Neutral Wire (White): Completes the circuit by carrying current back to the power source. Required for outlets and many modern dimmers or smart devices.
• Ground Wire (Green or Bare Copper): A safety wire that routes fault current in case of a short. Connects to the green screw and the metal box if applicable.
• Traveler Wires (Red, Black, or other colors): Used between 3-way or 4-way switches. They don’t carry constant power directly from the source.
• Load Wire: Carries power from the switch or dimmer to the light fixture or device.
• Terminal Screws: Where wires are attached on the device. Brass/black = Hot, Silver = Neutral, Green = Ground, additional terminals for Travelers.

Common Wiring Configurations

1. Single-Pole Switch, Dimmer, or Outlet

A single-pole setup controls one fixture from one location. This is the simplest and most common configuration.

How it works:

The hot wire delivers power to the device; the load wire sends power from the device to the light or outlet. Neutral is required for outlets and some dimmers; ground provides safety.

Steps:

1. Connect the hot (black) wire to the brass or black terminal on the device.
2. Connect the load (black or red) wire to the other brass or black terminal.
3. If required, connect the neutral (white) wire to the silver terminal.
4. Connect the ground (green or bare copper) wire to the green screw and the box ground.

PlatePrestige Single Pole Dimmers:

Our dimmers have only two wires and do not require a ground connection because the body is fully plastic. For installation:

• Connect black (hot) wire to the dimmer’s brown (input) wire.
• Connect red or black (load) wire to the dimmer’s blue (lamp/output) wire.

If grounding is required, ground the fixture or metal box.

Note: Follow your local code. Some regions may still require grounding even with plastic devices.

2. 3-Way Switch or Dimmer

3-way setups allow controlling one fixture from two locations (e.g., a hallway or staircase). This requires two 3-way switches.

How it works:

One switch connects to the power source; the other connects to the light. Two traveler wires run between the switches to complete the circuit.

PlatePrestige 3-Way Dimmers:

Our 3-way dimmers come with four standard US-colored wires, including a dedicated grounding wire and two traveler wires, designed for seamless integration into typical 3-way wiring setups.

Steps (General):

1. First switch (power source side): Connect the hot (black) wire from the power source to the common terminal (usually a darker colored or distinct screw) on your 3-way dimmer.
2. Connect the two traveler wires (red and black) coming from the electrical box to the two remaining traveler terminals on the first 3-way dimmer.
3. Second switch (load side): Connect the two traveler wires coming from the first dimmer to the two traveler terminals on the second 3-way dimmer.
4. Connect the load (black or red) wire going to the light fixture to the common terminal on the second 3-way dimmer.
5. Connect all ground (green or bare copper) wires to the green ground screws on both dimmers and to the electrical box grounds.
6. Neutral wires (white) typically bypass 3-way switches and connect only to the light fixture itself, unless the dimmer/switch specifically requires a neutral connection.

Understanding Dimmer & Bulb Compatibility

To ensure the best performance and avoid issues like flickering or buzzing, it's crucial to understand the compatibility of your PlatePrestige TRIAC leading-edge dimmers with different types of light bulbs, especially LEDs.

Here is some key information to consider:

Understanding TRIAC Leading-Edge Dimmers

Our dimmers use TRIAC leading-edge technology. This is a common and reliable dimming method that works by cutting off the front part of the AC power wave to reduce the amount of electricity flowing to the light bulb.

Bulb Compatibility Guide

✅ Compatible Bulbs

• Incandescent Bulbs: These work perfectly with leading-edge dimmers.
• Halogen Bulbs: Also fully compatible.
• Dimmable LED Bulbs: Most LED bulbs labeled as "dimmable" are designed to work with leading-edge dimmers. Always check the bulb's packaging and specifications first.

❌ Incompatible Bulbs

• Non-Dimmable LED Bulbs: Using these will likely cause flickering, buzzing, or damage to the bulb and/or dimmer.
• Fluorescent (CFL) Bulbs: Most CFLs are not compatible unless specifically stated on the packaging.
• Some Electronic Low-Voltage (ELV) Systems: These may require a different type of dimmer, known as a trailing-edge dimmer.

Important: Using Dimmers with LED Strips & Low-Voltage Lights

LED strips, under-cabinet lights, and other low-voltage LED systems require a power supply called an LED driver. This driver converts the 120V AC power from your wall into the low-voltage DC power that the LEDs need.

For dimming to work correctly, you must use a TRIAC Dimmable LED Driver.

What to Look For:

• Check the Driver's Label: The driver must be explicitly labeled as "TRIAC Dimmable," "Phase-Cut Dimmable," or "Leading-Edge Compatible."
• Constant Voltage vs. Constant Current: Ensure the driver's type (Constant Voltage or Constant Current) and its voltage/current output match the requirements of your LED fixture. Most consumer LED strips use Constant Voltage drivers.
• Load Requirements: Pay attention to the driver's minimum and maximum load. If your LED fixture's total wattage is below the driver's minimum requirement, you may experience poor performance.

How it All Connects

The correct wiring order for a dimmable low-voltage LED setup is:

Power Source (120V) → PlatePrestige Dimmer → TRIAC Dimmable LED Driver → LED Strip/Fixture

The dimmer controls the 120V power going to the LED driver; the driver then provides the appropriately dimmed, low-voltage power to the LEDs. Never connect a dimmer directly to a low-voltage LED fixture without a compatible driver.

PlatePrestige Smooth Retro Toggle Wiring:

Need More Help?

If you have specific questions about your home's electrical setup or are unsure about any steps, we recommend consulting a qualified electrician. You can also contact our customer support team for product-specific inquiries.

For general installation instructions for your PlatePrestige products, please visit our Installation Guide.