How do I make this dimmer switch work in this box? Can I?

Post date: 2023-09-16 08:36:36

I've got a metal junction box with two light switches in it. I'm trying to upgrade these switches to new smart switches, but I'm running into a few problems....

So, I've got this metal junction box on the wall in my living room. One of the switches controls 3 ceiling lights on the left side of the room. The other switch controls 3 ceiling lights on the right side of the room.

All the lights are the same - so, why is one switch and dimmer control different from the other switch and dimmer control? No idea.

Whatever. So, I went out the other day and bought 2 HS220 smart switches.

I want to replace the two switches in there with two of these. OK!

So, next step was to go to the hardware store and buy a new face place for the junction box. This is when I ran into my first (of I'm sure many) problem.

Look at this picture! The switch is the exact height of the junction box cover, meaning that it is too tall by just about 1/8 or 1/4 of an inch at each end. It will not fit.

My obviously really bad idea was to take a Dremel and just saw off the top and bottom screw holes on the Kasa switch and put it in there and use the secondary screw holes - they seem to line up - but that seems bad.

What's the other option, though? Find a dimmer that's shorter? Get a junction box that's bigger? They seem pretty standard in size.

Why is it always something!

Anyway, welcome any advice.

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