How to connect a double switch? Anyone who is familiar with basic knowledge of electrical engineering, and also has certain skills in working with tools, can cope with the solution of such a problem. Almost everyone can have a need, since many apartments have chandeliers with several shades, and sometimes not all bulbs need to be turned on. In addition, two-key switches are used in their projects by many designers.
Connecting a single switch does not cause any problems, and each home master will be able to perform such work on their own. This design is quite understandable, but in the case of a dual switch, everything is not so simple. Its installation requires more careful consideration.
Advantages of two-key switches
The use of double switches is fully justified due to significant advantages:
- Using one device, you can control the operation of several lamps or lamps.
- It is convenient to adjust the brightness in the room - you can turn on not all the lights in the chandelier, but only some of them.
- You can adjust the lighting in two rooms.
- Power consumption is quite economical.
- Rational use of wires.
In addition, two-key switches are advantageous when placing them on the street, since it is easier to protect one device from several physical or environmental influences. A special casing usually serves for this.
Wiring diagram
How to connect a double light switch? Everyone is familiar with such folk wisdom - "Measure seven times, and cut one." In this case, it is more than ever by the way. After all, if everything is done wrong, the consequences may not be very pleasant. For this reason, before proceeding with the installation of the device, it is necessary to draw up a diagram.
How to connect a double switch to two or more lamps ? In fact, the two-key switch is two single keys placed in a single enclosure.
Directly to current consumers in an apartment or a private house (mainly a chandelier, socket), neutral and ground wires are connected. The phase is connected to the switch. Thus, by pressing a key, a phase break occurs. For clarity, below is a photo that will help you navigate.
From the figure you can understand that the switch is connected to the junction box. According to the rules of the electrical installation device (PUE), connecting a switch with a phase supply directly to the lamp is the only correct option. Working zero through the switch is prohibited, because otherwise all wiring will remain energized.
Required Inventory
How to connect bulbs to a double switch? To do this, you need the appropriate inventory:
- wires with a cross section of at least 1.5 mm 2 ;
- the switch itself;
- mounting box (the device will be placed in it);
- terminal blocks;
- insulating tape;
- necessary tools.
As for tools, this is usually:
- screwdriver (flat and curly);
- a stationery knife or a special device for stripping wires;
- side cutters;
- level;
- pliers;
- a hammer with a chisel (if necessary, make a seat for the mounting box);
We familiarized ourselves with the operation of the switch, now it is time to prepare everything you need, including materials and tools. But the most important thing that should not be forgotten is compliance with safety regulations. This is a mandatory precaution when working with electricity.
Preparatory stage
The first step is to prepare the wires. If there are two wires in the chandelier for each group of lamps, then it can be connected in accordance with personal preferences.
Most modern fixtures go on sale already with sections of wires that are completely ready for switching. In this case, when changing the lamp combination options, you will have to disassemble the base of the chandelier or sconce. But if this is not necessary, it is worthwhile to pay attention to the wires during the purchase of the lamp. This will avoid many complications during installation.
In solving the problem of how to connect a double light switch, it is necessary to act in accordance with the instructions. This will allow you to not run into problems. Comprehensive and in-depth training should not be neglected. In particular, check all wires and make appropriate markings. This will not confuse them.
Two-key switch inspection
Before connecting the switch, it is necessary to carefully study the location of the contacts. Sometimes on its back side there is a corresponding circuit. In a two-gang switch, as a rule, three contacts - one common input and two outputs.
A wire from the junction box is connected to the common contact, and two other contacts serve to control groups of lamps. Usually, the switch is set so that the common terminal is at the bottom.
But how to connect wires to a double switch, if there is simply no such circuit? But even in this case, it is not difficult to determine the location of the contacts. On the one hand there is a common input, and two outputs to which the lamps are connected - on the other side. Based on this, three clips can be found in the switch device.
As for the groups of light sources - each of them can have either one lamp, or 2, 3, or even more. However, it should be borne in mind that the two-key switch is able to control the work of only two groups.
Installation sequence
Immediately before the work itself, it is necessary to de-energize the apartment or private house! In this case, it is necessary to take measures so that no one outsider can accidentally resume the supply of electricity.
Further, the work can be represented as a chain of sequential actions:
- The ends of the connected wires should be exposed by about 10-15 mm (with a knife or a special device) and cleaned.
- The main (input) phase is connected to the corresponding input terminal or connector (depending on the circuit breaker device).
- Understanding how to connect a double switch switch is easy. And then you should connect the two remaining outgoing conductors - first one, then another, which corresponds to the first and second key of the switch.
- Check the quality of the wire connection, for which it is worth pulling each core with moderate force.
- The mechanism is placed in the mounting box and is attached to it strictly in level by means of fasteners, or using the clamp paws of the switch itself.
- Now the mechanism is closed with a decorative frame. For some models of switches, special clasps are provided for this.
- At the final stage of installation, keys are placed.
Now you can supply electricity and test the operation of the circuit breaker.
Two-gang switch through passage
Along with conventional switches, there are also through-passage mechanisms, which in essence are more correctly called switches. Its use is due to the need to control lighting from two points. For example, there is a long corridor and there is a desire to control the lighting from both its ends.
Currently, many people are interested in the question: how to connect a double pass-through switch? Such a device is very convenient - one is placed at the entrance to the bedroom, and the other is near the bed. This is done to turn off the lights comfortably - no need to get out of bed.
As for the design of the passage switches, they can be, like ordinary switches - with one, two, three keys. They also have a difference from conventional switches, which lies in the fact that the number of contacts is already 6 instead of three. In this regard, more wires are needed - the phase is fed to both inputs of the first switch and, in the same way, from the other device from two inputs it goes to two lamps or a group of light sources.
At the same time, if it is necessary to control lighting from three or more places, at each point you will have to set 2 cross-switches - two-key cross-switches simply do not exist in nature. That is, one pair of wires is connected to one device, and the second to another. In the future, if necessary, they are interconnected.
How to connect a double switch with backlight?
The difference between ordinary two-key switches with analogs with backlight only in that the latter has a light indicator. The rest is the same. It can be in the form of a neon lamp or LED with the mandatory inclusion of a limiting resistor.
The device here is the following - the indicator is connected in parallel with the terminals of the switch. When you turn on the lamps or fixtures, the backlight circuit is shorted and therefore does not light. But when the lighting is off, the current passes through the resistor and the lamp, so only the backlight is on.
The connection diagram does not differ from a conventional switch:
- The house is de-energized. For reliability, it is worth checking the presence of voltage on the line with a probe or multimeter.
- An opening is made in the wall where the mounting box is installed. If the circuit breaker is replaced, the old device is dismantled.
- The case of the new device is fixed in the box with fasteners, depending on its type.
- The power supply is resumed and the operability of the device is checked.
At the same time, when connecting a two-key switch with backlight, there is one nuance - when using a conventional incandescent lamp for lighting, the spiral does not light up from such a small current. However, LED lamps and LED analogs are capable of glowing even in this case.
How to connect a double switch or a series of faults
The main annoying oversight that may occur is that the circuit breaker does not work as it should. For example, when you press one key, a section does not work, and when you turn on the other, all the lamps turn on, which should not be. This indicates that the distribution of the fixtures is incorrect.
Another case - when you turn on the chandelier, not all lamps light up, even if both keys are used.
Well, the third option, very sad - the chandelier does not work completely. This may indicate an incorrect connection order. Hopefully only wire marking. But this is not worth it, because the standards for markers are not always respected.
To find the cause of the malfunction, you should return to the initial stage of installation and carefully analyze all the steps taken. Using a probe, you should ring the wires and put your tags in order not to get confused. If difficulties arise, it is better to consult a specialist.
Safety precautions
It’s not enough to know how to properly connect a double switch, you must always remember safety precautions, since working with electricity will not be negligent! Elementary rules, which in no case should be ignored:
- Installation of sockets or switches is best started before performing repairs.
- Just before starting the installation, it is worth checking the condition of the wires.
- It is better to carry out the work in good light conditions - there will be significant difficulties in the dark.
- Make sure that the bulbs are in good condition.
- It is necessary to act extremely carefully and carefully, without missing important details.
- During the power supply of the porch, bathtub, basement, it is necessary to take care of good insulation.
- All contacts should be connected in full compliance with technical standards.
To avoid accidents, you must turn off the electricity. And not just one line, but completely de-energize the home. In addition, check the appropriate indicator for lack of voltage, and only then carry out installation work.
In conclusion
In general, understanding how to connect a double switch correctly is not so difficult as it might seem at first glance. But you should always keep in mind the above folk wisdom. It’s better to double-check everything. Do not forget that before working with electricity, you must always first turn off the power to the house.
Thanks to the information given, everyone can connect a two-gang switch without problems and not get confused in the number of wires. Moreover, it is enough to remember that the main wire is a phase that just closes and opens when the circuit breaker operates.