Installation of light switches is carried out after mounting and connecting the input panel, as well as installation work with wiring. In order to rationally illuminate any zone in the room and still save electricity, it is necessary to correctly install switching devices.
Types of wiring
To many, installing a switch in a room may seem an elementary affair. But, as practice shows, in this work there are some nuances that should be unconditionally taken into account, especially if the operation is not performed by a professional electrician. Before you start work, you need to determine the type of wiring. It happens:
- Open. Wires are laid on top of the wall and fixed with special decorative rollers or covered with cable channels made of plastic.
- Hidden. Wires are laid inside the wall, and the strobes are sealed with mortar.
Depending on the type of wiring used, switches are selected. For the open system, overhead models that are mounted on the wall are suitable, and for the closed system, built-in or internal models are used.
Installation principles
Before you put the light switch on your own, if there is no certain knowledge and skills, you must familiarize yourself with the information and then adhere to the recommendations of specialists. If you do not plan to install a complex system of passage switches, then the connection is carried out in only two ways:
- Both lines (phase and zero) are fed into the switch housing, and a ready-made wiring harness comes out of the switching device, which consists of supply conductors that are directly connected to the light source. Such a scheme is considered more understandable, but, despite this, when laying it, it will be necessary to spend more cable and wires. Therefore, this approach is considered irrational. Another disadvantage of this method is the need to mount contact pads or twist wires. Despite the fact that this scheme is considered irrational and more costly, many owners of their own households prefer it.
- All wiring is done in junction boxes, and conductors are supplied to the switch to open the line. This scheme is standard for typical wiring in finished apartments. In this case, you can save wiring and carry out all the work without special knowledge and skills. The disadvantage of this method is the need to install additional junction boxes that spoil the aesthetics of the walls.
Wiring Method
Before you put the light switch, you need to understand that the internal fastenings of the wires in the device can be different. Currently, two switching methods are used:
- Screw type clamp - this type of contact is tightened with a screwdriver. First, it is necessary to strip the wires from insulation by approximately 2 cm and then place it under the terminal and fix it. Be sure to make sure that there is no insulation under the terminal, as this can cause reflow, which is very dangerous. This connection is recommended for aluminum wires.
- Non-screw type clamp. This is a contact with the pressure plate, which is equipped with a special button that regulates its position. In this case, the wire should be cleaned from insulation by about one centimeter, and only then clamped. Due to the peculiar design, high reliability of the resulting connection is ensured.
If we compare screw and non-screw clamps, the differences in reliability and quality of connections are not observed. But, despite this, screw clamps are considered simpler during installation.
Types of switches
Before you put the light switch, you must select the type of device. Now manufacturers offer a variety of devices to choose from, which, depending on the type of on / off, are divided into the following varieties:
- Keyboards They are distinguished by a simple and reliable design, the basis of which is a swinging mechanism, spring-loaded. When a key is pressed, the contact closes and, accordingly, the device turns off or on. For convenience, one-, two- and three-key switches are currently available.
- Rocker switches - practically do not differ from keyboard analogs, but at the same time have a completely different principle of operation. Devices open one circuit when you press a key and at the same time transfer the contact to another. Thanks to this, lighting is controlled simultaneously from several places.
- Light intensity controls - enable you to make settings for the light intensity. The device consists of keys that have a rotary button and an infrared sensor.
- Switches with integrated motion sensor. These devices respond to movement and when people appear, activate lighting, and then turn it off when there is no movement.
- Touch type device - switching off and on is carried out by a light touch of the sensor.
Before you put the light switch, you should determine its type. The choice can be made depending on your personal preferences, financial capabilities, as well as on the type of room in which you plan to install the switch.
Selecting the exact location for the switch
To install the switch, it is important to choose a more suitable place. Of course, where to put the switch is everyone’s personal business, but despite this, there are certain requirements that govern this issue.
Specialists in this field are advised to install all the switches in the house at the same height and with the same location. The best option is to install switches at the height of the door handles. The element must be positioned in such a way that a distance of about 15-20 cm is observed between it and the doorway. In this case, a person entering a room will press a key automatically, without even noticing it.
Installation of switches
Before installing the switch, you should decide on some nuances. If there is no experience in carrying out such work, it is best to carefully read all the recommendations of specialists or contact an electrician.
Single Switch Installation
Before you put a single light switch, you need to take care of the presence of certain materials and tools. If you plan to do all the work with your own hands, then you need to have at hand not only the wiring, but also the construction tool.
Tools such as a grinder, hammer drill, gypsum, putty knife, switch, flat indicator and Phillips screwdrivers will be needed. Installation of the switch should begin with the installation of the socket. Then it is necessary to determine the phase wire and turn off the machine, which gives voltage to the apartment. Next, you need to pick up the switch and remove the key with a screwdriver. Remove the two screws that secure the protective frame and remove it. Find contact screws in the upper part of the working mechanism and untwist them. Clean the wires connected to the socket box from insulation and insert the phase wire into the hole of the incoming contact. Then tighten the screws and check if the wires are well fixed.
After that, on the working part, find two more spacer screws and unscrew them, then fix the mechanism in a horizontal position and put the protective frame on top, screwing it with two screws. The completion of the work is screwing on the working mechanism of the key and checking the operation of the switch. In order to put a double light switch, after installing a single-key problems should not arise. After all, all work is performed in an identical way.
If you do not know how to put the switch on the light correctly, and you have never done it, then in this case it is best to seek the qualified help of electricians. They will be able to professionally perform all the work.
Two-key
Before you put a two-key light switch, you need to decide what it is for. It is designed to control two circuits from one point. To install such a switch, you must take care of the presence of a three-wire wire.
There is nothing complicated in connecting and installing such a switch. First of all, the switch should be disassembled. Then remove the decorative backing and carry out all other work, as is the case with the single-key mechanism. Before you put a double light switch with an indicator, it is best to familiarize yourself with all the nuances. This will help to do all the work correctly.
Triple switch installation
Nowadays, the installation of three-key switches is often practiced. Unfortunately, not many people still know about their advantages and how to install a triple light switch. The advantages of such a mechanism are obvious. Most often, he is preferred in rooms with a complex configuration or for monitoring several rooms at once from one point.
When installing such a switch, it is important to connect it correctly and optimally. This will require a Phillips and flat head screwdriver, stripper or side cutter. At the place where you plan to install the device, four wires should exit. The wires must be collected in a box and check the operation of the device.
Conclusion
Despite the fact that the installation and connection of circuit breakers is among the simplest electrical work, the process should not be irresponsible. Electricity does not forgive even minor mistakes. That is why, if there is no experience in this matter, and you do not know how to put an additional or single-key light switch, it is best to seek help from specialists.