Fixing a Leviton DSL06 Dimmer Switch

July 08, 2024

I purchased a few Leviton Dimmer switches off of ebay because they were relatively inexpensive. Turns out 2 out of 3 of them were not working when I got them and both had the same problem which is quite easily fixed.

If the switch does not work, you can pop off the switch face plate and look for a burn mark at the top right.

Leviton DSL06 dimmer blown

Removing the 4 screws on the back and poping out the two tabs holding the plastic together revealed the problem.

Blown pcb trace

Instead of spending $1.00 on a fuse and holder, they use a thin trace on the board that is intended to blow as a fuse, making what could be an easily replacible part something that fills up landfills.

I used a 250V 3A SMD 6.1mm x 2.69 x 2.69mm ceramic fuse because it's what I had on hand but a 2A or 2.5A may be better. I measured the trace width to be ~0.75mm.

Use a screwdriver and scratch off some of the solder mask on each side of the blown trace.

Solder mask removed

Place the fuse and add a bit of flux and solder it in. Try to keep it towards the C3 capacitor to keep clearance off of the R1 housing. You can bend the MOV (red part to the right) out of the way and put it back later.

Fuse placed

Fuse soldered

After that, re-assemble it and it should work. Please note that this works at mains voltage so do it at your own risk.