The structure, advantages and disadvantages of the double switch
The two-key switch is designed to control two different lighting devices from one place or two parts of one large device. It is very convenient to turn on the light in a separate bathroom and toilet. Often they are installed in the corridors at the entrance door so that it's easy to turn on the light both on the street and in the corridor.
In order to have an idea of how the double-circuit-breaker is arranged and how it looks, consider its structure.
It consists of:
- housing;
- two keys;
- input and output phases.
Three wires are connected to this switch at the same time: one enters, two goes to connect the lighting devices.
The single-key model looks the same way. In fact, the double switch consists of two single switches. Some of these types can include backlighting, which will greatly facilitate the search for a switch at night.
Now consider all the advantages of this type of switches.
- The main plus is that one switch controls the operation of several bulbs at once, which is why it is so popular.
- Also, it can easily adjust the brightness of the lighting in the room due to its ability to turn off and turn on only a part of the bulbs, which the one-button switch can not do.
- Installing this kind of switches can save a lot on electricity and wiring, since it only needs to stretch one wire.
- The double switch is also very advantageous, since if it is placed on the street, it is cheaper and easier to do protection from moisture on one than on several scattered in different places.
Well, the only drawback is that if the two-key electrical switch is connected to two different chandeliers that are in different rooms, their first time can be confused, and with the habit of not lighting the wrong room that is needed.
How to independently connect a double switch
The work on connecting a similar switch is practically the same as connecting a conventional switch. If you understand well, then, in general, this is the two most common switches.
To connect you need:
- flat screwdriver;
- Phillips screwdriver;
- stationery knife;
- side cutters;
- level.
To connect this type of circuit breaker, a number of steps must be taken.
Step 1. Turn off the electricity in the apartment. In the switchboard, all levers or plugs must be turned into an inactive position. This will be necessary to ensure safe operation.
Step 2. Now you should prepare the wiring and study the features of their location. Typically, the two-key device has three wiring.
Step 3. The wiring should be shortened to a length of about 10 centimeters.
Step 4. Prepare a small depression in the wall with a chisel for further placement of the wiring under the electric switch.
Step 5. After this, connect the wires. We need to clean them first, and then twist together and for reliability squeeze the pliers, carefully insulate.
Step 6. Connect the two wires to the lighting fixtures and immediately conduct from the switchboard zero to each phase.
Please note! It should be noted that when connecting the wires to each other you need to connect only made of one material, for example, aluminum to aluminum.
Step 7. At the end of the work on the connection, it is necessary to put on the box and apply voltage to check the electrical switches. It is installed so that the common contact is at the bottom.
To have a complete idea of this work, we suggest you to watch a special video tutorial that will help you understand all the nuances of connection.
How to connect a chandelier to a double switch
Before performing any work with lighting, you should protect yourself by switching off the voltage. To make sure that there is no voltage, you can use the tester.
If the chandelier has five or more light bulbs, then there is no way to do without a two-key switch, since it has a three-wire system and will allow you to adjust the lighting, including only a part of the bulbs, and not all of them together.
When connecting the chandelier, you should pay attention to the markings on the terminal block, the usual phase is signed with the letter L, and the letter N. The chandelier with several lamps has several such wires, like those marked.
From the ceiling where a chandelier is attached, three cables, one zero and two phase cables, should be visible. It should be taken into account that the phase wire must be passed through the switch. This is done so that during the repair work does not turn off the electrical panel, and you can only click the switch button - it's quite convenient.
Now that everything is clear with the wires, let's proceed directly to connecting the chandelier to the electric switch. To do this, you need to find a phase wire. This can be done in the following way: alternately turn on each key and at the same time touch the wire with a screwdriver-indicator. If the light is on, then the required cable is found.
Only after all the necessary wires are found, they can be connected. You need to hang the chandelier on the shelves and connect all the wires according to the markings on them, that is, the zero cable to zero and so on.
All wires after connection with each other should be wrapped with electrical tape. This is necessary for the reliability and security of fastening.
