When making wiring in a room, it is necessary to take into account a lot of different factors, starting from the location of all consumption devices and ending with their individual characteristics. Often, when creating a project for placing lighting systems, additional questions arise. The most common of them is how to connect a double switch to two light bulbs.
Need or extra costs
First of all, you need to understand the purpose of such electrical circuits in order to determine in which rooms they are needed. The fact is that the need for this connection arises where it is necessary to adjust the lighting by turning on an additional light bulb or individual groups of light sources.
A typical double-switch circuit is often used in halls, living rooms, bedrooms and even in the kitchen. Usually in these rooms chandeliers are installed on several lamps, which suggests their separate power. Thus, it becomes possible to create lighting of various intensities, which not only significantly increases the level of comfort, but also allows you to save on electricity consumption. Therefore, the cost of an additional conductor, which will need to be spent, pays for itself.
Necessary materials
Many manuals on how to connect a double switch to two light bulbs just offer the user a typical circuit, according to which the installation should be carried out. However, it is worth separately telling about which materials it is necessary to use for this, how to place them on planes, and describe in detail the process itself. This will make it possible to begin work even for novice masters who do not have experience in such a thing.
Switch
This device can be purchased at almost any hardware store or in the building materials market. However, it must be remembered that the electric switch can not only have a lot of modifications, but it can be made from different materials. Therefore, experts recommend paying attention to several factors.
- First of all, it is worth saying that the core of this product is better to choose a ceramic one. It does not pass electric current, has high reliability and withstands excellent heating in the event of an accidental short circuit.
- Products with plastic cores are also good, but nowadays there are many cheap fakes that do not meet safety requirements.
- You should also pay attention to the material of the terminal. Usually they are made of metal, but if copper contacts are installed on the product, then this electrical switch is designed to work with copper wiring.
- Some masters recommend looking at the material of the case and buttons. The fact is that some types of plastic emit toxic substances when heated. Therefore, it is best to purchase a circuit breaker from reliable suppliers or from well-known manufacturers who have established themselves in this industry sector.
Boxes
If the circuit breaker is installed in a room without wiring, then boxes that are simply necessary with proper installation will be required immediately. However, it is important to remember that they also differ in both purpose and size.
- First of all, you should focus on the surface into which the installation will be carried out. The fact is that products for drywall systems and concrete have different dimensions and fixing methods.
- Then choose the box according to their purpose. It is worth remembering that for this type of installation you will need one installation product for the outlet, one for the lamp on the ceiling and for wiring.
Conductor
It is immediately necessary to say that it is not necessary to use separate wires, since it is much easier and more economical to use a ready-made cable. Even if necessary, make a tap of one core, you can always dissolve it. Moreover, in the cable, usually all cores have their own specific color, which greatly simplifies installation, especially if a two-key switch connection scheme is used .
It is also important to understand that it is not necessary to twist or solder the conductors, which are made of different materials. The fact is that under the influence of electric current this place will begin to oxidize and collapse, which will eventually lead to a break. Therefore, experts recommend using either copper or aluminum materials, it all depends on the financial capabilities of the customer.
Almost all instructions describing how to connect a double switch to two light bulbs recommend using cables with three wires. The cross section of the conductor is selected individually, based on the power of the used lighting devices. At the same time, masters often resort to cables of the PPV, APPV or PVS brand. The cross section for them is recommended to choose 1.5 sq. Mm.
Insulation
By installing double light switches, all wires are usually connected by twisting. However, there remain places where isolation was violated, which means that they must be protected. Even if there is enough space in the junction box and the conductors are not touching, this still needs to be done.
Usually, special caps are used for these purposes. The wires are twisted so that one end is formed, on which this product should be worn. This is very convenient, since you can always easily access the twist for additional connection or verification. Also, this work is performed with the use of insulating tape.
Manufacturing circuit
In order to figure out how to connect a double switch to two bulbs, it is best to make a diagram on which all connections and devices will be displayed. At the same time, it is very important to distinguish phase and zero on the conductor in order to avoid errors, both during the preparation of the project and during installation.
- First, put all the boxes on a sheet of paper and draw input contacts.
- Next, it is necessary to designate three conductors from the location of the lighting devices that will go into the junction box. At the same time, it is immediately worth noting that two of them are marked as a phase, so that after switching off the lamp will not have voltage on the cartridge. Inexperienced masters do not pay much attention to this, but it is such a connection that is considered correct.
- Then, from the box with the switch to the distribution block, three wires are also output. This connection scheme of a two-gang switch assumes that two of them will be energized when the contacts are closed, and one will become a constant phase. In fact, they are indicated in the drawing in one color, since there is a distinction between the conductors to the source of consumption.
- The next step is to connect all the wires in the box along with the input. The phase is connected to the constant phase, which goes to the switch, and zero is connected to one of the wires that go to the light bulb.
- After that, the two wires are connected, the remaining wires of the consumption source and the switch.
- At the final stage, the lamps themselves are connected. Moreover, if a chandelier is used, then it must already have the necessary contacts. However, if we are talking about ordinary lamps in the cartridge, then between them it is worth making a jumper that will connect zero.
- The switch itself is introduced into the circuit in accordance with its individual design. The fact is that the circuit breaker is installed by connecting wires to the corresponding terminals.
Mounting
A further solution to the question of how to connect a double switch is to carry out all the work in accordance with the scheme. In this case, you can use strobes, special boxes for placing wires or perform internal wiring on drywall. At the same time, the boxes are fixed using special devices or on landing plaster. Twisting is best done using pliers to make the connection more reliable.
Security
It is worth saying right away that a switch whose price is below 70 rubles should not be purchased. Usually these are not very safe products that quickly fail. Therefore, it is best to purchase materials from trusted manufacturers. Experts say that the cost of a quality switch should not be less than 100 rubles.
It is also important to remember that the entire installation must be carried out without connecting a power supply. Even highly skilled craftsmen with a certain tolerance do not allow themselves otherwise. In this case, it is desirable to isolate the ends of the input separately and attach them in the very least.
Typically, the wiring is conducted under the ceiling, where they install the box. This implies that the work will be carried out at a certain height, which means that you must follow the safety rules for this type of installation.
Deviation from the project is not allowed, even if the master thinks that such a solution will not interfere with the chain and will be more efficient. Such actions may cause a short circuit or cause difficulties during further operation or repair.
Recommendations of specialists
- A typical double-circuit breaker circuit is quite simple, even a person who does not have the appropriate education will understand it. However, only a specialist can compose it on their own. Especially when it comes to serious projects in public buildings.
- If the work is done in old houses, then it makes sense to completely replace all wiring. The fact is that over time the insulation dries on some conductors, as a result of which cracks appear and there is a danger of a short circuit.
- Install boxes in such a way that after applying putty on the surface of the wall, they would be flush. However, some projects provide a different mounting method, which involves placing the entire chain directly on the surface. The cable is placed in a special corrugation.
- Reading the circuit will be much more convenient if the phase and zero are highlighted in different colors. For example, the conductor is marked in red in the direction of the current to the source of consumption, and blue is the wiring going from it.
- If you want to install a chandelier, you need to know that it has its own wiring diagram. Usually it is indicated in the instructions that come with the package.
Conclusion
Having studied the material provided, you can understand that this process is quite simple, even a person without special education can handle it. This is due to the fact that these types of switches have almost the same operating principle and a standard circuit is suitable for their installation. However, at the stage of manufacturing the project, you need to be very careful, especially when distributing the wires at the time of connection. Even a minor error can lead to a short circuit and can disable the entire network.