It is often required that light from different locations turn on in different rooms, or a chandelier is installed, the lamps of which light up when different keys are pressed. Mounting several breakers in a row is not only difficult, but also not aesthetically pleasing - the whole interior is spoiled. So, you should look for another way. It may be the installation of a three-key switch, the switching of which is simple, and practicality - at a fairly high level. The article will discuss how to install it and in which cases such installation will be justified.
Scopes of switches with three keys
There are many reasons that require the installation of just such a circuit breaker. In addition to standard situations, three-key switches have found application in backlighting - using multi-color RGB LED strip. They are used if it is not possible to purchase controllers, connecting each contactor to a separate UPS, thereby achieving the ability to adjust color.
Such devices are very common in houses of old construction, where from one point of the corridor the lighting control of the bathroom, bathroom and kitchen is controlled. Often in these apartments three-key switches with a socket are mounted. Such blocks are more functional, but require the master to install certain knowledge and experience.
If a novice electrician comes to an apartment where a similar unit has already been dismantled, it is unlikely he will be able to quickly connect a new one - it takes a long time to understand the intricacies of wires.
Connecting a Three-Key Switch: Procedure
If there is no outlet in the unit, then installing such a breaker will be simple. It is not worth stopping to dismantle the old switch, it is extremely simple. It is only worth mentioning that before any such work, a power outage from the input automatic machine is required.
For example, you can take the situation when the home master himself dismantled the three-key switch and could not install a new one, leaving the wires sticking out. In this case, you need to understand which of the 4 veins coming. Having found it, it will be possible to say with confidence that the rest go to the premises:
- To do this, all the bare ends are bent to the sides in order to avoid shorting, after which power is supplied.
- Using an indicator screwdriver, you need to find the phase - this will be the incoming core.
- Now you need to understand which of the wires turns on the lighting of each room, and mark it with colored electrical tape or a marker. This should be done with utmost care.
- Without touching the bare areas with your hands, the outgoing conductors are connected in turn with the supply. The light coming on in the rooms will indicate the accessory of the wire.
- After everything is checked, the voltage supply is again turned off.
- Now you just need to familiarize yourself with the marking on the back of the three-gang switch, in order to understand which contacts the wires should be connected to.
Connecting a three-gang switch equipped with a power outlet
Everything is much more complicated here than in the previous version. In addition to the 4 wires going to the switch, another 2 (if a separate phase / zero line is connected) or 1 (if there is only a neutral) appears. And here the method of “scientific poking” does not work - the probability of a short circuit is high.
- First, the number of wires is checked. More often their number is 5 (phase, zero, three outgoing).
- Work is done using a multimeter and indicator screwdriver. Similarly to the previous option, a phase is found and marked, after which the power supply is turned off.
- All bulbs in the rooms turn out, after which the contacts in one of the cartridges are bridged.
- With the switch on the audio notification of short circuit set on the multimeter, it will be easy to find a pair to the phase wire.
- Similarly, a search is made for wires extending to the remaining rooms.
- The remaining free core is marked as “zero”.
- A jumper is installed on the three-key switch unit with a socket between the input contact of the breakers and one of the terminals of the power point.
- From the second, the neutral wire is switched.
- Next, the connection is made similarly to the previous option.
Three-key chandelier connection diagram
For those who figured out the installation of such a device, switching the lamp will not be a problem. It uses the same four-wire system. As in any disconnector, a phase wire is connected to the gap, and the zero wire goes directly from the junction box. The connection diagram of the chandelier implies switching with the lamp in neutral and three supply cores.
- Having installed the switch, it is necessary, leaving all contacts open, to open the exposed wires at the connection point to avoid a short circuit.
- After that, power is supplied, and the keys switch to the "on" position.
- Now, using an indicator screwdriver, they check on which veins the power comes - there should be 3. The fourth remaining one is zero.
- Now you should turn off the power supply again and connect the wires of the chandelier with those coming from the switch.
A few tips for a beginner homemaker
Despite the fact that the circuit of the three-key switch is not too complicated, its connection, especially when paired with an outlet, can be quite problematic. If the home master does not have enough experience, before starting the replacement of such a unit, you should seriously think about whether he will be able to carry out this work.
When the old switch with the socket is removed, the invited specialist may require payment 2 times more than he would take for a normal replacement.
If you still decide to do the work yourself, you must definitely mark the cores before disconnecting them from the unit. This will allow you to easily switch the new device.
Final word
Three-key switches are quite in demand today - they really help in matters of controlling the light. The main thing is to understand the essence of their connection, to understand the algorithm of work and to be extremely careful when switching them. Only in this case it becomes possible to install such a unit correctly.