KLAS dimmers — installation guide

KLAS · solid brass dimmer plates

Installation guide · Dimmers

Before you start

Mains wiring must be done by a licensed electrician, with the power off at the breaker, following the NEC / CEC and local codes. Metal plates must be grounded where the code requires it (NEC 404.9). Keep this guide for the next owner.

In the box

Your solid brass plate with the dimmer(s) or fan control and the knurled brass knob already fitted, plus two brass-finish screws per position. Sizes: 1-gang 72 × 120 mm, 2-gang 120 × 120, 3-gang 165 × 120, 4-gang 210 × 120 mm; all 120 mm (4.72 in) tall.

You will need

Flat and Phillips screwdrivers, a non-contact voltage tester, wire strippers, wire connectors, and a small spirit level.

83.5 mm123WALL BOXPLATE, DIMMER AND KNOB FITTEDSCREWS ×2 PER GANG
The dimmer and knob come fitted to the plate. Wire the leads, then the two screws hold the whole plate to the box. One device per gang.

Six steps

  1. Switch off and testTurn off the breaker for the circuit. Check the wires at the box with a voltage tester before touching anything.
  2. Remove the old plate and switchUnscrew the old plate, then the switch. Note or photograph which wire goes where — especially on a 3-way, where one wire (the common) is different from the two travellers.
  3. Check the box and the lightsEach position needs one standard gang of a US/Canada box, screw holes 83.5 mm (3.29 in) apart, standard depth. Check the bulbs are dimmable and their total wattage is within the dimmer’s rating. No ground in the box? Use the basic dimmer.
  4. Wire the dimmerThe dimmer is already fitted to the plate, so support the plate while you work and keep the brass face off the wall. Join the leads with wire connectors: line to hot in, load to the light, green to ground (grounded dimmer). Neutral is not used by the dimmer — connect it straight through to the light.
  5. Fit the plateFold the wires into the box and offer up the plate with the dimmer behind it. Set it level and fix with the two supplied screws through the plate into the box ears. Tighten evenly until the plate sits flat — do not overtighten.
  6. Restore power and testSwitch the breaker back on. Turn the knob through the full range; on a grounded dimmer press to switch on and off.

Looking after brass

Each plate is hand-brushed, so no two are identical, and the finish deepens with time. Wipe with a dry, soft cloth. No polish, abrasives or solvents — they strip the finish.

Wiring by dimmer

Which wire goes where

Device Connections Notes
Rotary dimmer, grounded Three leads: line (hot in), load (to the light), green ground. Press the knob to switch on and off, turn to dim. For any box. Dimmable LED, halogen and incandescent lights.
Rotary dimmer, basic Two leads: line in, load out. No ground lead; ground the light fitting as normal. Turn to dim; no press on/off. For a metal box, or an older box with no ground wire. LED 3–150 W, halogen / incandescent 40–250 W.
Rotary dimmer, 3-way Four leads: black = common (hot in), red + red = travellers to the 3-way toggle at the other location, green = ground. The toggle’s common goes to the light. Dims from one place, switches from both. One dimmer per light circuit. Three or more locations: add a 4-way toggle between the two 3-ways. Leads come capped with wire connectors.
0–10V dimmer (low voltage) Brown = DIM+, blue = DIM–, to the LED driver’s dimming terminals only. Never connect to mains. Mains power goes to the driver, switched by a separate toggle if needed. Only for 0–10V or 1–10V dimmable drivers. Keep its wiring apart from mains wiring in the box.
Fan speed switch Black = hot, white = to the fan, green = ground. Copper wire only. One fan per control. Not for lights, outlets, transformers or more than one fan. Turn about half a turn to start the fan, then set the speed.
Bulbs and loads Use bulbs marked dimmable. Count the total wattage on the dimmer and stay inside its rating. Mixing LED and halogen on one dimmer can cause flicker. If an LED flickers at low level, try a different dimmable bulb.

Single-pole dimmer, the usual case

PANELDIMMERLIGHTLINE · HOT INLOAD · TO THE LIGHTNEUTRAL · STRAIGHT TO THE LIGHT, NOT TO THE DIMMERGROUND · GROUNDED DIMMER ONLY

3-way dimmer with a 3-way toggle

PANEL3-WAYDIMMER3-WAYTOGGLELIGHTHOT → BLACKRED · REDCOMMONNEUTRAL · STRAIGHT TO THE LIGHTGREEN · GROUND

Wire colours follow North American practice: black = hot, white = neutral, green or bare = ground, red = traveller. The dimmer’s own leads: black / black / green (grounded), black / black (basic), black / red / red / green (3-way). Always confirm with a tester. Specifications may change; ask us before installing if anything looks different from this guide.