What types of switches are there? Types of light switches and electrical equipment. General provisions for choosing electrical equipment

Today, the range of electrical products can provide the creation of any design solution, make control of light in the room comfortable and pleasant. To choose the right switch, it is necessary to take into account not only its functionality and beauty, but also the quality of workmanship, otherwise this may result in unpleasant consequences.

A switch is a special electrical device that serves to open and close an electrical circuit using contacts. Therefore, first of all, when choosing, you need to look at technical specifications switch, and then on its external design for harmonious combination with the interior of the room.

Device

A simple single-key switch consists of the following elements:

• Working mechanism.
• Protective plastic elements.

The frame and key are protective elements. The key also switches on and off power to the circuit. Under the key there is a frame secured with plastic latches or two screws. Under the frame there is a working mechanism on which the key drive is located.

The working mechanism is fixed in the socket box using spacer tabs or special screws. There are two tabs on the sides of the switch. When screwing in the screws, the tabs move apart and rest against the socket box, fixing the switch mechanism. Typically a switch has two terminals. A phase is connected to one of them, and a zero to the other.

Types of switches

For household use you can choose a switch different designs. It refers to switching devices with two operating positions of contacts that open and close an electrical circuit.

Key switches have become classic. They are the most popular of all electrical devices and are often used to connect lighting devices. The principle of their operation is simple: when you press a key, the electrical circuit is closed. Most often, the case is mounted so that when the key is turned off, it is in the upper position. There are switches equipped with one, two or three keys.

Advantages:

• Easy replacement, installation and repair.
• Convenient to use.
• Low cost.

Minor disadvantages compared to others include:

• No energy saving properties.
• Light intensity is not adjustable.
• Short service life.

Pass-through types of switches used in large rooms, where control of lighting operation with different places. In appearance, such switches are no different from ordinary ones, but inside there are some design differences. Walk-through switches are usually used on stairs or in long corridors. You can turn the light off or on from different points.

Pushbutton switches have existed on the electrical devices market for a long time. They cost more classic models, and do not have great advantages. One can only note some originality of the buttons, combined with the design of the premises. There are switches with different numbers buttons, with decorative finishing And LED indicator. Therefore, you can choose a switch for any design.

Touch switches are an innovative development. They have the longest service life and are convenient to use. Models of switches with touch control are used in the system, in modern houses and apartments.

They operate by touching the surface of the finger. Many touch switches come with assistive features such as automatic shut-off. An important advantage of this type is that it will not cause short circuit, since the device has no mechanical contacts. This increases the safety of their use in domestic conditions.

Acoustic switches work from cotton with their hands. Many people like this feature of their action. In the dark, there is no need to search for a key, button or rope. The disadvantages of acoustic performance include the following factor: it often does not work the first time. However, this drawback occurs only in cheap product samples.

How to choose the right switch

The main criterion for choosing a switch is the type electrical wiring. For open wiring V own homes overhead switches are suitable. For hidden electrical wiring there are hidden species switches with a housing recessed into the wall. Before purchasing, you should inspect the switch and check the mobility of the key.

Sometimes sellers try to sell an expensive model or defective goods. Therefore, their recommendations should be treated with some criticism. It is better to listen to the advice of professionals, it will be an ideal option to choose a switch.

• A visual inspection is a prerequisite. This determines the quality of the material. The surface of the switch should be smooth and the lines should be clear. The plastic must be hard. Otherwise, the surface will quickly scratch and damage appearance.
• The body must have the quality mark of Rostest or the manufacturer.
• There should be no sharp sound coming from the body bad smell. This is a sign that plastic is unhealthy.
• The weight of a switch can say a lot about its quality, since a product that is too light indicates that materials of insufficient thickness are used, which reduces the reliability of operation.
• A quality product must be able to be disassembled small parts, have various fastening devices, latches, removable frame and other spare parts. The more parts on the latches, the better the quality of the plastic used for manufacturing.
• If there are assembly instructions, then this is a positive factor that determines good quality.
• The appearance of the product must be combined with the design of the room. Therefore, you can choose a switch with a colored frame or backlit keys.

According to the type of switching off/on, switches are divided into:

- rotary

- push-button

- keyboards

- with motion sensor

- rope

- sensory

- wireless

- dimmers

- switches

Invented about a hundred years ago and currently in demand, in particular among fans of retro style.

Pushbutton switches, to control the lighting of rooms, have been used relatively recently, so they look original and unusual in any interior. They are very convenient to use, but, like everything new, it takes some time to get used to.

Most widespread key switches. Currently, they are equipped with lighting systems for the vast majority of residential or office buildings. Three- and two-key switches allow you to control entire groups of lighting fixtures.

Switches with built-in motion sensor, tracks movements, activating the lighting when a person appears and, accordingly, turning it off in the absence of any movement. Typically used infrared sensors, which are able to distinguish between the presence of a person and, for example, a pet.

The operating principle is based on monitoring the level of infrared (IR) radiation in the field of view of a sensor (sensor), most often pyroelectric. A presence sensor, which has a wide viewing angle, is usually mounted on the ceiling of a room and, in addition to tracking human presence, also allows you to control the light intensity. Most often, they are used to temporarily turn on lights and to ensure security, for example, they can turn on sirens, spotlights, and video surveillance cameras if a person enters the field of action of the sensor.

A switch with a motion sensor can be used on stairs in private homes. When installing them on each span and setting them accordingly, the light will turn on in the place where the person is.

Rope switches (with cord), enough exotic look, but nevertheless, many famous manufacturers have such models in their lines of electrical installation devices. A number of properties that such switches combine are not found in other types. In addition to the obvious, when they are installed in places where, due to the switch being too high, it is inconvenient to turn on/off lighting fixtures, they also give a person unique tactile sensations during operation, plus they are easy to touch in the dark.

Touch switch and - an innovative generation of light control devices. Their operating principle is based on current control via a microcircuit, whereas conventional switches use traditional sliding contacts. The use of a microcircuit makes it possible to completely eliminate the occurrence of short circuits, which allows you to increase the service life of the lamps several times, and also significantly increases the service life of the switch due to low wear. Such switches operate by simply touching them, but there are models that require simply moving your hand nearby.

Remote switches- this is a set of a small control unit and a remote control (there can be several control units and remote controls), externally resembling regular switch, only more often flat. To install it, you don’t need to tap or drill the walls - you just need to fix the switch in convenient location using self-tapping screws or double-sided tape. No hidden wiring, no noise, dust and dirt, no wallpapering and expensive repairs.

The principle of operation is simple - when you press the switch button, a radio signal is sent, which is received by the relay. It opens or closes the circuit on the phase that goes to the light source. The radius of action depends on the structural features of your home, and on the materials used, usually fluctuates in the range of 20-25m. The transmitters are powered by batteries that last up to 5 years depending on the intensity of use.

With this system you can control the light from anywhere in the house. The controls operate on radio frequencies via digital signals and do not interfere with television or radio equipment; mobile remote controls may be included. The wireless switch may be complex system lighting control " smart home"and it can be supplemented with various modules. Such systems are very popular due to their ease of installation and reliability, and often solve many problems with fixed wiring.

Very popular today dimmers, they control the light intensity. Usually, external panel The dimmer is equipped with keys, a rotating button, and less often an IR sensor that receives signals from the remote control. Dimmers, depending on type lighting lamps, are divided into 3 groups: those controlling incandescent lamps and halogen lamps; halogen lamps, which are connected through electronic and ferromagnetic transformers; energy-saving LED and fluorescent lamps, which are equipped with electromagnetic ballast.

Modern dimmers have an expanded set of functions such as: brightness control, presence simulation, automatic shutdown, dimming modes, smooth on and off, remote control function.

Switches (changeover, redundant or pass-through switch)- looks like a regular one rocker switch, but has a fundamentally different operating scheme. When a conventional switch only breaks a circuit, a switch, breaking one circuit, transfers the contact to another. This property allows you to use switches to control lighting from two, three or even more places simultaneously. When a control scheme involves more than 2 switches, so-called cross switches are added to the circuit; they can be installed in an unlimited number, depending on how many places you want to control the lighting.

The ease of operation using switches is highly appreciated by consumers, and every year the percentage of objects where switches are used is steadily growing. The only negative is the more complex wiring diagram, large quantity materials used and the slightly higher cost of the switch mechanisms themselves.

Currently, switches allow you to solve a much wider range of problems than their original purpose. This is first of all important element design that complements many interior solutions. Also switches irreplaceable helpers, which save energy, allow you to control lighting without spending unnecessary effort, making a person’s life as comfortable as possible. Therefore, we advise you to seriously approach the issue of choosing switches, now knowing their main types, you can choose perfect option for any conditions.

Switch - electrical appliance, designed to connect and disconnect an electrical circuit. Most often, switches control lighting fixtures, less often they are used to turn on and off exhaust fans, air conditioners, etc.

According to the type of installation, switches are divided into concealed switches and switches external installation. The former are used when installing hidden electrical wiring, the latter - when laying wiring in an open way.

Types of switches

The switch is the device that people most like to improve and tweak additional options technical designers. Depending on the methods of switching, adjustment, purpose and protective properties Switch housings can be divided into several types.

1. Keyboards

The most common type of switches. The electrical circuit is closed and opened when the key is switched from one position to another. One-, two- and three-key versions are available.

Key switches are inexpensive, convenient to use and easy to repair. On the other hand, they have a rather low operating life, the lighting intensity cannot be adjusted, and there is no energy saving mode.

2. Push-button

The principle of operation of a push-button switch is similar to a key switch: you press the button - it locks and closes the contact. Pressing it again opens the contact. Often released with LED backlight. Such switches should not be confused with ordinary electrical buttons, for example, on a bell: such buttons make a contact only if they are held by hand.

Push-button switches will easily fit into the interior of any room, despite their slightly non-standard appearance. They cost a little more than their keyboard counterparts. But they will serve you faithfully for a long time.

3. Dimmers (switches with regulator)

They are a kind of rheostat, which is familiar to most of us from school physics lessons. A dimmer works on the same principle. A rheostat changes the resistance of an electrical circuit, and therefore the current strength in it. Higher resistance means lower current. The lower the current, the dimmer the light bulb included in the electrical circuit burns. With the help of such switches, you can adjust the lighting intensity by turning the control wheel.

The advantage of dimmers is energy savings (some devices even turn off on their own when no one is in the room) and ease of use. But there is also a minus: due to high cost Not everyone can afford such switches. Note: dimmers work great with incandescent lamps, but with fashionable ones Lately LED lamps and lamps may conflict and function incorrectly.

4. Rotary

About 50 - 60 years ago, rotary switches were still actively used in the construction of houses, but recently they have been used only in “antique” design projects or in creating interiors in country, loft, and Provence styles. Typically released only for outdoor installation, are used in conjunction with open wiring. Switched by turning the lever 90°.

5. Rope

The operating principle of this switch is similar to a push-button switch: by pulling the string until it clicks, you close the contacts. Pull a second time and open. This type of switch is mainly used in wall sconces and sometimes to turn on exhaust fans.

Rope switches are used not only in decorative purposes, they have a number practical advantages. For example, a dangling cord is easy to find by touch in the dark, and such switches are also suitable for families with small children; the child can easily reach it and be able to turn the light on and off independently.

6. Touch

A modern type of switch with a long service life due to the absence of mechanical parts. Triggered by touch. Many models of touch switches are equipped additional functions, such as smooth dimming or auto-off. They like to use such switches in “smart homes”.

7. Acoustic

Such switches are also called clap or sound switches. Switching on occurs from the supply sound signal a certain volume, such as clapping your hands. Switches of this type with a timer are installed not only in apartments, but also in staircase landings. Some models provide a time setting after which the switch disconnects the circuit. Often acoustic switches are hidden in distribution boxes and are duplicated by regular keyboards.

The main advantage of this model is obvious: with it you don’t have to feel for the switch in the dark or walk across the entire apartment in dirty shoes because you forgot to turn off the lights. However, such devices do not always respond the first time and can operate spontaneously, which sometimes irritates owners.

8. Remote

These are switches that are activated by a signal from the remote control. Meet and combined models: e.g. touch switch with remote control. Remote switches are not very common because they are quite expensive. In addition, remote controls tend to get lost.

But there are also advantages. Firstly, with remote switches you don’t have to spoil the walls: it will be enough to just arm yourself with screws or double-sided tape and secure the switches in in the right places. And no problems with fixed wiring. Secondly, you can turn light bulbs on and off from anywhere in your apartment or house and feel like the master of light.

9. Passing

Externally, a pass-through switch is no different from an ordinary one, but its internal filling has a slightly different layout. Pass-through switches allow you to control one electrical appliance (or a group of electrical appliances) from different points in space.

For example, you have two-storey house. You approach the stairs and turn on the lamp that illuminates it with the switch located below, on the first floor. You go up to the second floor. Light on the stairs is no longer needed. If there was a regular switch downstairs, you would either have to leave the light on the stairs on or go down to turn it off. This is exactly the problem that pass-through switches solve: you place them on top and bottom and control one lamp from different points.

Unfortunately, in order to fit such convenient pass-through switches into the lighting system of your home or apartment, you will have to spend a lot of money and effort (compared to classic options) due to the complex wiring diagram, the impressive amount of materials used and the high cost of the mechanisms themselves.

10. Sealed

A special type of switches is hermetic switches designed for installation in rooms with high humidity or dustiness: in baths, saunas, showers. Just like waterproof sockets, they are classified according to the degree of protection. Thus, a switch that is installed in a bathroom or shower must have a protection class of at least IP-44. Read more about protection classes in our.

11. Switch with built-in motion sensor

As the name implies, the switch, or more precisely, the sensor connected to it, reacts to movements: the light turns on when a person appears in the field of view of the sensor, and turns off when that person disappears from it. Most often, the operating principle of such sensors is based on tracking infrared radiation.

Switches with built-in motion sensors save energy. Using them, you can also adjust the intensity of lighting, turn on spotlights, sirens, CCTV cameras and control other useful equipment. Unfortunately, these super mechanisms come at a price to match.

Useful tips

• For the bathroom and kitchen, use sealed switches with a moisture and dust protection class of at least IP – 44
• Rope switches will fit harmoniously into the nursery: the baby can easily reach the cord and can quickly turn on the light in the dark if he suddenly has a bad dream at night
• Dimmers are best suited for the living room, since to watch TV and read a book you need different quantities Sveta
• For your convenience flights of stairs in a private house it is worth equipping with either pass-through switches or switches with built-in motion sensors

Single key switch light is a lighting control switching device, designed to perform two operations, closing and opening an electrical circuit. Used exclusively for operation in lighting circuits with voltages up to 1000 V. Has manual drive management. Does not have protection functions against overloads and short circuit currents. It is not equipped with arcing chambers, and as a result is not intended for high current loads. The single-key light switch is one of the most common and well-known lighting elements. Of all the switching devices used to control light, this type switch is the simplest in design and connection. You can verify this by reading this article. Here, we will analyze in detail the design of a single-key switch, the principle of its operation, and also get acquainted with its circuit diagram.

Design options for single-key switches

Single-key switches household use can be of the following design:

• external;
• internal;
• modular;
• waterproof.

Switches indoor installation, used for hidden electrical wiring, under plaster or inside frame walls. The switch mechanism is installed in a socket box pre-installed in the wall. For internal wiring apply and .

External switches are used for external electrical wiring, open on walls or using additional protection cable ducts, metal or plastic pipes, as well as flexible corrugated tubes. This type of electrical wiring is used mainly where it is not possible to carry out hidden installation wires

Modular switches are mainly used only in certain series of cable ducts. This type of switches is used mainly in office, industrial and commercial premises. Available only for installation in a cable channel.

Waterproof switches are used in rooms with high humidity, for example, a bathroom, basement, and also where there is a possibility of direct contact with water, for example, a street. They can be both internal and external.

Operating principle of a single-key light switch

For the easiest understanding of the principle of operation of the device, I suggest that you familiarize yourself with the figure presented below.

Figure 1. Light switch operating principle

It shows, in the simplest and most visual form possible, the principle of operation of a single-key switch.

As can be seen from the figure, inside the mechanism of a single-key switch there is a movable contact, which, when the key is pressed, can take one of two positions. The first position is “on”, the second is “off”. In this case, the moving contact will either connect the circuit or disconnect it.

In the figure presented above, the key is in the “off” position, the contact is open, the phase is not supplied to the lamp, the lamp does not light.

Now, let's see how the circuit changes when the switch is turned to the "on" position.

Figure 2. Light switch operating principle

Well, we’ve figured out the design of the light switch, let’s move on to the next point.

Single-key switch connection diagram

The figure below shows circuit diagram connecting a single-key switch.

Household switch- this is a two-position switching device with normally open contacts, designed to operate in networks with voltages up to 1000 volts, not intended to interrupt short-circuit currents, without special arc extinguishing devices, local control, with manual drive.

Other characteristics of this switch, such as operating current, degree of moisture, dust and explosion protection (IP), Climatic performance, installation method, contact material - are determined by the manufacturer and depend on the specific model.

Moreover, for household switch relevant design- for internal installation (built into the wall, for hidden wiring) or for external installation (mounted on the wall, for open wiring).

Mainly used to turn on and off lighting (chandeliers, shades). For the same purpose, switches with smooth lighting control appeared on sale: dimmers, dimmers, trimmers.

Encyclopedic YouTube

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✪ Connection diagram for a two-key switch

✪ Connection diagram for a single-key switch

✪ Connection and installation of a single-key switch. How to connect a single-key switch (diagram)

✪ How to connect a single-key switch? How to install in a socket box?

✪ How to connect a two-key switch? How to install in a socket box?

Subtitles

Story

1879 - Edison demonstrates what he developed modern system electric lighting, including an incandescent lamp, a socket with a screw thread, a base, terminals, a switch, plug socket and a fork, electric meter, circuit breakers.

Kinds

Switches come in a wide variety of designs, their types depend on the purpose, the number of closed electrical circuits and the amount of current that they can pass. In everyday life, as a rule, switches are used for voltages up to 250 V, and a maximum current of 4, 6 or 10 A (other values ​​are less common). Main types (for domestic purposes):

By control method

Keyboards

These are the usual switches with a key. In Russia, the top position of the key corresponds to the light being on, and the bottom position to the light being off (although sometimes switches are accidentally installed upside down). This has been the case since the invention of switches because of their design features. A similar switch orientation is also adopted in the United States and Canada. In France, Germany, China, England, Australia, New Zealand and Ireland, the reverse orientation of the switch is generally accepted, when the circuit is closed in the down position of the key.

Some switches of this type may also have indicator lights, allowing you to quickly find them in the dark. When the light is turned on, the indicator goes out, and when the light is off, it stays on constantly.

Structurally are keys. That is, in one position the circuit is opened, and in the other it is closed.

Push-button

This is a switch that has a spring-loaded push button instead of a key. The button can be styled as a key. Then the pressure is applied to its lower part.

Structurally, as a rule, they are pulsed, that is, just buttons. As long as the button is pressed, the circuit is closed. Such buttons are used, for example, in calls. Meet and push button switches type key, which close and open the circuit alternately with each press.

In the United States, push-button switches are devices that have two buttons rather than one. When one button is pressed, the other is released automatically. These switches are structurally already keys, but not buttons.

Lever

A switch that has a control lever instead of a key. The design of this switch was patented by William Newton and Morris Goldberg in 1916.

Structurally are keys.

Rotary (rotary)

The rotary handle closes the circuit in one position and opens it in another. Structurally are keys. An example is a PG type switch.

Corded

They are also called rope ones, in the jargon - “pullers”. Turning the light on and off occurs by pulling the cord from the switch body. Structurally they can be like keys, so buttons, and even mechanical “two-bit binary counters” capable of sequentially accepting states 00, 01, 10, 11, then 00 again, and so on. Unreliable. When such switches fail, owners often replace the cord with an electric one, at the end of which they place a regular switch for open wiring on an insulating stand.

Sensory

These switches do not require mechanical action on any control element. The switch is affected by touching it. Structurally they can be like keys, so buttons.

By functionality

Key (regular household switch)

Such a switch opens a circuit in one state and closes it in another. So the switch is the key. Sometimes they are simply called switches.

According to the control method, they are most often keyboard-based, although there are rotary, cord, touch and even push-button switches.

Pulse (button)

Contact occurs only upon impact, without fixation in this position.

Most often used in calls. To control electrical appliances, they require connection to a pulse relay or controller.

According to the method of influence, they are most often push-button, although there are keyboard, touch and cord impulse switches.

Passing

2-way switch, pass-through switch. This device closes a specific circuit in each position. If you connect 2 lamps to it, the first one will work in one position, and the second one in the other. Has 3 connectors for connection.

Most often they are used in pass-through circuits, when 2 independent switches need to be connected to one consumer.

According to the control principle, as a rule, keyboards

Cross

"Double", intermediate switch. Switch with 4 connectors for connection. When transitioning from one state to another, it inverts the switching of cables connected to it. Used in pass-through circuits with three independent switches in combination with two switches.

Combined devices

Dimmers, twilight switches, etc.

Structurally

1. outdoor installation
2. built-in
3. modular
4. dust- and moisture-proof (outdoor or for wet rooms)
5. special

Switch design, color, material decorative elements and the design of the mechanism depend on the series of electrical installation products.

Twilight relay- one of the types of relays used to turn electric lighting on or off depending on the ambient light level.