In order to be able to turn on and off the lighting devices in the electrical circuit, a switch should be provided. If we are talking about apartments or private houses, then the switches in them are used in different designs. The range presented to the attention of consumers is quite diverse in functionality and design, but when choosing the right product, special attention should be paid to its quality.

Content

1. What is an electric switch, its scope
2. Types of switches, their features
3. Installation options for circuit breakers for open and hidden wiring
4. One, two, and multiple keys switches video
5. Touch switch, its advantages video
6. Features of models with remote control
7. Sensor switches
8. Features of Twilight Switches
9. Feedthrough switch video
10. Dimmers
11. Electric switch, the secrets of choosing the best electric switch

What is an electric switch, its scope

In fact, switches are switching devices that have two working positions (on / off) and determine the state:

• open circuit, in which the supply of voltage to the lighting device is stopped,
• closed circuit supplying power to the lighting fixture.

Typically, household circuit breakers are manually controlled, their scope is limited to installation in a home wiring operating within the rated parameters of the network.

The device of the household electrical switch does not allow it to be used to turn off currents during excessive loads or short circuits. To perform protective functions, special automatic machines should be installed - switches of the apartment panel, they are equipped with current releases, a cut-off mechanism and a system for extinguishing an electric arc.

Types of switches, their features

Each of the models of switches is created:

• under a certain voltage or current in the network,
• may have a special climatic design, have a high degree of moisture resistance or dust resistance,
• differ in the way the wires are connected or the installation option,
• switching and control method.

In most models of switches, wires are connected using different types of screw terminals. In place of this time-tested option, a simpler version with spring-loaded terminal blocks is increasingly being used today, they allow you to speed up and simplify the process of inserting a wire end into a clamping device.

Nevertheless, experts recommend using switches with screw terminals for networks with aluminum wires, which, due to heating, begin to flow over time, which leads to sparking and weakening of the contact. In order to correct the situation it will be enough just to tighten the screws.

It is better to fix copper wires with screwless clamps - fixing them with a special terminal will be reliable, its execution is extremely simple and quick.

Depending on the functionality, the switches can be:

• ordinary
• indicator
• dimmer.

The design of the switches allows them to be divided into:

• rotary
• loose-leaf,
• push-button
• dimmable.

Installation options for circuit breakers for open and hidden wiring

Wiring in an apartment or a private house can be open or closed, depending on its type, you should choose a specific model of switch.

Most often, open wiring can be found in a country house or in old houses built at the beginning of the last century, the wires in this case are on the surface of the wall, then the overhead switches will need to be installed.

In modern construction, it is customary to carry out hidden wiring, while the wires go inside the walls, and the switches are installed in specially prepared recesses. In older models of switches, for fixing the entire structure in a certain position, paws were provided, which, when installed, rested against the wall.

Modern switches have a more reliable fastening - an installation box is first installed in the wall cavity, on it, with the help of screws, the switch is fixed.

One, two, and multiple keys switches

In stores, most often you can find a two-key or one-key switch, if you set a goal, you can find three-key models. In practice, if it is necessary to have a large number of control keys for lighting devices, they resort to installing several single-key switches and combine them with a common frame.

Electrical manufacturers from South Korea and the United States manufacture switches with a large number of keys, from 1 to 6, with each key equipped with an indicator light. In models manufactured in European countries, indicator lamps are installed in single-key versions.

The double switch in practice is quite convenient, with its help it is possible to control the operation of two lighting devices from one point.

The advantage of the two-gang switch is the ability to:

• location in a fairly limited space of a large number of control points,
• lighting control groupings with separately included sections, for example, multi-track chandeliers.

The on-off direction of the keys on the two-key switch always matches.

The circuit breaker should be connected in such a way that a phase wire breaks. Turning off its position leads to a blackout of electrical appliances and allows for safe maintenance. The neutral wire is connected directly to the devices.

Touch switch, its advantages

The design of the touch device allows you to control electrical devices without mechanical impact. To perform the on or off procedure, just touch the special socket located on the front side of the switch.

The design of the touch panel includes a sensing element, touching it is perceived as a command to be processed immediately. The signal arriving at the electronic circuit is converted into a form that can be perceived by the switching part, which provides power switching.

Particularly attractive are models that are configured in such a way that to trigger them it is enough to put a hand at a distance of 3-5 cm, such switches are indispensable in the kitchen, they eliminate the need to touch your surface with wet or dirty hands.

Built-in touch switches are usually equipped with LED backlighting, which allows you to easily find the location of the switch in an unlit room.

The appearance of the touch switches is quite sophisticated, it is a flat plate with a marking, this design allows you to use the touch device in any interior solution.

Using this switch you can:

• turn on / off electrical appliances,
• change the light intensity,
• change the direction of the light flux.

Among the advantages of touch switches we recall:

• simplicity and ease of use,
• the ability to connect to different types of lamps,
• fire safety
• extending the life of light bulbs,
• profitability.

Features of models with remote control

A remote light switch is a receiving device that cuts into a wire that powers a lighting fixture. Its control is carried out in a non-contact way - using a radio signal coming from the remote control. Batteries are used to power the remote control, the operation mode assumes the possibility of operating them without replacement for a rather long period.

The expanded functionality of the remote switch is provided by the presence in its circuit of microprocessor controllers, which:

• able to ensure a smooth start,
• allow you to change the light intensity,
• give the chance to establish the timer.

The connection of the remote switch is made depending on which lamps are used for lighting:

• incandescent lamps - connects like a normal switch,
• if the lamps are LED or energy-saving - it is recommended to install the switch as close as possible to them.

Among the advantages of a contactless device:

• the ability to control using any remote control,
• during installation, wiring replacement is not required, installation can be performed at the place where the old device was located,
• the ability to adjust the level of illumination, which favorably affects the duration of operation of the bulbs, in addition, allows you to choose the intensity of illumination sparing the eyes,
• the ability to turn on and off with a given frequency.

Touch switches equipped with remote control allow you to perform lighting control procedures at a distance of about 25 - 30 m, i.e. within an apartment or house, without moving from one room to another. The range is determined by the structure of the building and the materials used in its construction.

The latest developments of engineers in this area allow you to control lighting devices using mobile devices - iPad or iPhone.

Sensor switch

The light switch can be equipped with a motion sensor that controls the presence of movements in the room and independently provide the inclusion of lighting devices in the presence of people in the room, or have a sound perception sensor and respond to words, clicks, pops, etc.

The reaction to certain types of irritant is the actuation of a contact device responsible for connecting or opening the contacts of an electrical circuit.

The sensor is equipped with electronic components that analyze:

• ambient light level,
• the presence of moving objects.

Features of Twilight Switches

This type of switch is distinguished by a design that works on the principle of a photorelay, which reacts to a change in the light intensity of the sensor. Reducing the luminous flux causes the sensor to trigger and then turn on the light, when the intensity of natural shutdown is restored, the lamp will turn off automatically.

To make lighting more economical, the twilight switches can be supplemented with presence or movement sensors.

Feedthrough switch

The invention of passage switches was facilitated by the need to turn the lighting device on and off from different points of the room, this is especially convenient if there are long corridors - the light can be turned on when moving along the corridor, or turned off, moving to the end of this corridor.

This option involves the installation in the network of two pass-through switches of one - at the entrance to the room, the second - at the exit. Most often, this option is used in long corridors, stairs or in the garden, on illuminated walking paths.

Previously, certain architectural features of the premises served as the reason for installing the walk-through switch, but today they are usually installed in rooms of any configuration - for example, at the entrance to the living room and near your favorite armchair or sofa - so that you can turn off the light without getting up.

In appearance, the passage switches do not differ from ordinary ones; their functionality is provided by the special structure of the contact system.

Dimmers

A separate type of switches are dimmers, which are light control devices. They are designed to turn on / off lighting devices and adjust their brightness.

The selection criterion will be the load for which the device is designed, for example, if 300 W is indicated on the dimmer, then with this dimmer it will be possible to regulate a five-arm chandelier with sixty-watt bulbs. Experts recommend purchasing such devices with a certain margin of power.

Electric switch, the secrets of choosing the best electric switch

When choosing a switch, experts recommend paying attention to the following points:

• the current strength and voltage for which the device is designed should be indicated on the inside of the product, it is desirable that there is a Rostest sign, which is a kind of state guarantee,
• to ensure trouble-free operation, you can buy products from well-known manufacturers, visually they have clear lines of shapes and a smooth, durable surface, the product should not be light - thin, loose in structure plastic will quickly lose its attractive appearance,
• a quality product must be disassembled into spare parts - the case, latches, frame, unified modules,
• the assembly must contain assembly instructions, its text can be applied to the film packaging of the switch,
• choose the appropriate model for the type of wiring and the material of the wires,
• when choosing, it is advisable to be guided by your knowledge and experience, or consult a specialist electrician - sometimes sellers recommend purchasing the most expensive and not popular consumer goods,
• it’s not superfluous to make sure that there is no smell of plastic emitted by the switch - an unpleasant odor is evidence that plastic is cheap and of low quality, in a confined space of a room such a product can be dangerous to humans,
• a model of a suitable design should be chosen exclusively among products suitable for technical parameters,
• taking care of your own comfort, you should give preference to backlit models - using such at night is much more convenient.

If the light switch is selected for a sauna or a bathroom, or it will be installed outdoors, then a fad about increased moisture resistance, equipment with a special rubber or plastic casing should be added to the requirements.

When installing a circuit breaker in a public building, it is rational to purchase anti-vandal models - they are made of metals or heavy-duty plastics, the inside is made of non-conductive durable composite materials. It is almost impossible to damage such a switch.

Author: Sergey and Svetlana Khuentsov

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