Emily Shwake / BuzzFeed / Nifty
So you've decided today's the day you're going to be a grownup.
NBC
Let's start with electrical work. Because after all, DIY dimmer switches are grown-up AF.
Supplies:
Dimmer switch
Wire nuts
Wire stripper
Phillips head Screwdriver
Flat Head Screwdriver
Grounding Wire
Voltage Tester
1. Go to your breaker box and turn off the switch for the light/outlet and the wall switch.
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2. Use your screwdriver to remove the light switch cover.
BuzzFeed / Nifty
BuzzFeed / Nifty
3. Use your voltage twister to check that there isn't a current running through the screws. If there isn't, unscrew the switch from its socket.
BuzzFeed / Nifty
BuzzFeed / Nifty
4. Unscrew the screws holding the wires in place until there is enough slack to pull the wires out. Remove all other wires so that you can remove the switch.
BuzzFeed / Nifty
BuzzFeed / Nifty
5. Got it?
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Good.
6. Use a wire stripper to strip the wire insulation by approximately half an inch. Bend them over so that you can curl them over the screws.
BuzzFeed / Nifty
BuzzFeed / Nifty
7. On the new dimmer switch, curl the green wire clockwise around the ground wire.
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8. If your dimmer switch has wires, this is going to go a bit differently.
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But no worries, you've still got this.
9. Twist the green wire on the new switch around the wire from the outlet. Cover with a wire nut or electrical tape.
BuzzFeed / Nifty
BuzzFeed / Nifty
10. Screw everything back into place and you're done!
BuzzFeed / Nifty
11. Watch the full tutorial here.
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