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Southwestern Center for Herpetological Research

How to connect a dimmer?

piebaldpython Sep 07, 2003 07:44 AM

Hi All,

I have a question on connecting a dimmer control to Flexwatt heat tape. The connection they sell (to connect the clips to the heat tape) is a polarized male which I attach my polarized extension cord. Now I bought a dimmer control, which has three wires. Two black, which I am to connect on the live or "hot" wire and a green for ground. Now which prong of a polarized extension cord is the live or "hot" wire? Secondly, Since there is no ground in the extension cord, do I need to connect the green ground wire on the dimmer or do I just tape it off and do not use it? Electricity is not my strong suit.

Thanks for the help,

Dave

Replies (2)

markg Sep 08, 2003 02:55 PM

When you look at the prongs of a 2-prong polarized plug, one prong is wide and one is narrow. The narrow is the HOT, the wide is the neutral. Another way - the hot wire has a smooth insulation; the neutral has finely ribbed insulation.

blueta Sep 13, 2003 07:37 PM

what about the green ground wire then? Does it need to be ground also?

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