How to connect a chandelier to a two-button switch: double wire connection diagram, procedure

The replacement of lighting equipment in residential premises can be caused both by a malfunction of old devices, and by a desire to update the interior. In spacious rooms, devices with a large number of lamps are installed, which requires their distribution into groups. To do this, it is worth connecting the chandelier to a two-button switch.

Tools for the job

Before starting the installation, you need to select the necessary tools. These include:

• Voltage indicator for phase detection.
• Phillips and slotted screwdrivers.
• Continuity multimeter.
• It is better to make wire connections with each other using terminal blocks. Wago products are suitable, which are convenient for splicing veins of different metals (in most old buildings, the electrical wiring is made with aluminum "noodles", and the contacts of the chandeliers are copper).
• Junction box.
• Knife, duct tape, marker are available in almost every home. A small stepladder or chair will come in handy, depending on the height of the ceiling.
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Chandelier wires

A store-bought device is supplied with an instruction manual. The rules require it to be in Russian. However, if there is no memo or there is no domestic translation, you should know the following rules:

• The wires connected in the same group or terminal block with an outward contact are a phase, which is indicated by the letter L. In multi-track chandeliers, such a scheme allows the use of a switch with two or more keys, providing a group, economical use of lamps.
• If the dwelling has a central earthing conductor, then a yellow-green colored wire, PE, is connected to it. In buildings before 2000 occurs infrequently.
• The neutral conductors are connected to a single conductor marked with N.

If there is no marking, you can ring the circuit using the device. In any case, additional quality checks and correct assembly will not hurt.

general description

When the luminaire is equipped with several lamps, and the wiring allows you to use the scheme for connecting a two-button switch to the chandelier, there are many options for the distribution of the luminous flux. You can choose any of the following:

• Lighting of all plafonds at the same time (for this, electrical fittings with one active contact are suitable). If only two wires are used in the circuit, then this is the only possible option without additional installation work.
• Alternate ignition of the horns. You need a multi-button switch and three-wire wiring (not including grounding). The number of lamps that light up when you press one key depends on the wiring diagram in the chandelier.
• The most difficult will be the way to alternately, group or simultaneously start lighting in a luminaire with a large number of lamps.

Installation activities

If the room already has a suitable owner and an electrical network suitable for the lighting device, then this will reduce the time and material costs for installation. However, connecting from scratch is also common.

To do this, you need to choose the location of the future location of the chandelier. As a rule, this is the middle of the ceiling, although modern design solutions can offer it to be installed almost anywhere. Mounting is carried out on special brackets.

Cabling

Having chosen the point for placing the lighting fixture, you need to determine where the double switch will be installed to connect the chandelier. You will also need a junction box, which is mounted just below the ceiling on the wall. Its form can be any.

Having marked the installation places, it is necessary to prepare the route for laying the wire. This is a three-core (for grounded networks, the number of cores will be 4) cable of the appropriate cross-section, which depends on the power and number of lamps. You can calculate it using a special table. The channel is channeled from the intended place of installation of the luminaire to the splitter and further to the box where the switch will be located.

If voltage is not brought into the room, then a channel is laid from the central panel with a cable placement similar to the room one - to the connecting box. From it, the common zero and the ground (if any) go straight to the chandelier, and the phase wire is fed to the place of the intended switch. It is also necessary to lay a two-core cable from it, through which the phase will be supplied first to the junction box, and then to the lamp.

After the wire routing is completed, you need to connect them. The phase supplied from the box is attached to the common contact of the disconnecting device. The ends leading to the chandelier are to the outgoing terminals. Such fittings perform the function of a phase break. For safety reasons, it is impossible to lay a neutral wire through it.

Luminaire wiring

Before connecting a double switch to the chandelier, it is necessary to divide all the lamps in the device into the required groups. This crushing is performed depending on the desired lighting conditions. There may be several options, the choice is made arbitrarily. When connecting cartridges, the rule should be taken into account: the phase approaches the central contact, zero - to the side contact. All neutral wires are aligned with the corresponding core coming from the junction box.

After distribution, such ends are closed together separately: the first and second groups are connected to a double cable coming from the breaker through the connecting box. If a grounding conductor is provided, it must be aligned with the contact marked with PE or with a special symbol.

Distribution box

Having connected the wires in the lighting device and in the switch, you need to assemble the circuit in the junction box. This can be done in several ways:

• The simplest and most common method is regular twisting. You just need to strip the ends, twist them and insulate them. This option is suitable for conductors made of the same metal.
• Soldering will provide a more reliable contact. It is used in premises with increased safety requirements (schools, kindergartens, hospitals). Used exclusively in lighting networks. Under heavy loads, the use of this option is prohibited.
• Welding is used to create a perfect contact. This type of connection will be the safest, but will require some skill in operating the equipment.
• The method of sleeve crimping, which has been proven for decades of use, has served for over 20 years.
• The use of terminal clamps is also reliable. This is the youngest and fastest installation option.

Having decided on the method of aligning the wires, you should connect them together. The order is as follows:

• The common zero core from the main shield is connected to a similar chandelier wire.
• The phase from the power source is with the corresponding end going to the switch.
• Group cords from the lamp - from the switching device.
• PE contact - with the ground from the lighting device.

The last step will be to turn on the circuit in the switchboard. This is easy to do, since all ends are connected to certain places: the phase to the circuit breaker, zero to the zero terminal, and the PE conductor to the ground bus. After a visual inspection of the correctness of the assembled circuit, it must be checked with a multimeter with the switch on and off. After making sure that the circuit is working, you can apply voltage.

If you install a new chandelier in the old place, all the electrical fittings are already installed, there is a bracket and wires. It is necessary to determine their phasing. You can do it like this:

• Spread the ends to the sides and turn on the switch keys. Indicate the presence of voltage by the indicator. Where it is absent, there will be zero or common wire. The other two contacts are phase contacts.
• For continuity using the device, you need to disassemble the switch and the junction box.

When carrying out such events, it is worth remembering that working with electric current is dangerous. Therefore, before installation, turn off the voltage and check its absence with a serviceable device. If you do not have the skills to perform electrical work, it is recommended to contact a specialist.