General rules for connecting switches with illumination
We have long been accustomed to such an element in our apartment as a switch. However, the manufacturers of lighting equipment were able to improve it, with a backlight system. The circuit of connection of such a switch provides for its illumination by bulbs with the key off. During the daytime, you are unlikely to pay attention to it, but with the onset of darkness, such improvement becomes very urgent, and even necessary.
Moreover, the indicator light because of its small power, practically does not consume electricity, so do not worry about its overspending.
You can connect this device yourself, but if you are not sure of your abilities, it is better to contact an electrician who will do the job quickly and efficiently.
Connection scheme and operating principle of the switch with illumination
The current source for connection of the circuit breaker can be:
- Electrical panel;
- Junction box.
To begin with, the wire "zero" from the power supply must be routed directly to the lighting fixture, and the wire "phase" should be pulled to one of the two contacts in the switch. While the second contact is connected to the phase of the lighting element.
As a backlight, use LED or neon light bulbs connected to the resistor in a sequential manner. The circuit thus obtained is connected in parallel with the contacts of the switch. When we turn off the light, the current goes to the backlight through the resistance along the parallel circuit. And when the light is on, the circuit breaks and the current is applied to the lighting fixture.
Installation and connection instructions for the switch with backlight
Before starting the installation, be sure to turn off the power on the switchboard, the absence of which is very simple to check, it is enough to touch each wire alternately with the voltage indicator.
The following procedure is as follows:
- carefully remove the old switch and disconnect the key, without damaging the contacts;
- if a new switch is initially installed, a place in the wall is pre-prepared for it: an opening is made in the wall and a mounting box is attached to the cement or cement;
- further wires are connected according to the scheme;
- isolating the place of docking the wires, you can apply voltage and check the quality of the work performed. If the backlight is lit when the light is off, then you have done everything correctly.
As for the two-button switches, the connection scheme will be slightly different.
The "phase" wire from the junction box is connected to the common terminal. A wire "zero" is connected in series to several lighting devices.
How to assemble the light-backed switch with your own hands
If you have the necessary parts, it is not difficult for the home team to provide the switch with a light indicator on their own. As a backlight, you can use a 5-watt bulb or a neon lamp.
Step by step it looks like this:
- connect a neon light bulb and a current-limiting resistor, thus assembling the circuit;
- after removing the cover from the switch, connect this circuit with the terminals in a parallel way;
- similarly connects and an incandescent lamp, but without a resistor and is closed by a shade;
If the type of illumination is built-in, then instead of a neon bulb, an LED is used. In the cover of the switch, a hole corresponding to the diameter of the LED is cut out. The LED with the resistor is connected in parallel to the terminals, installed under the cover and covered with it.
