Testing dimmer switch with electrical cord

[drmark12pa]

Is it possible to test a dimmer or light switch just hooking it up to a standard 3-prong power cord and plugging it into a standard 120 outlet? I don't really want to dig into my walls right at the moment for a quick test.

[zaphod]

You should be able to do that.  But won't you also want to put a load on it, like a light?

[drmark12pa]

11 hours ago, zaphod said:

You should be able to do that.  But won't you also want to put a load on it, like a light?

Yes eventually it's being installed in an addition but wanted to test.  I did do it and seems to work perfectly with this method.

[Nick Wanerka]

Here's the thing though, yes that will tell you of the led lights on the switch will come on, but the c4 dimmer or switch could still be bad. You have to put some sort of load on the switch to see if it will send the power and hold a given load. 

I have had a couple c4 dimmers led lights come on and work but would not turn the load on or off and of course not dim. 

Then I had another c4 switch do all of that bit the zigbee antenna/ or zigbee chip  inside of the switch would not send or receive any info so the customer could not control the lights from anywhere but the switch location.

So you see it is best if you at least take an 6" led retro trim and cut off thr socket end and wire that to the switch and then make sure through composer that you can see it and the zigbee chip is working.   

Just a little 10 min advice that will save you hours later down the road