When working on the installation of electrical lighting networks for 220V household and industrial premises, it is often necessary to control several lighting devices from one point. For these purposes, a switch with two keys is used. Devices of this design provide on and off lighting devices with two or more lamps. Sometimes, the layout of the electrical wiring network lighting provides for the management of several groups of lamps or individual lamps on a single lamp. Two-key for these purposes is also suitable.

For a double switch to work properly, it must be connected correctly. In doing so, you should follow a certain sequence of actions to ensure personal safety and the safety of others. Recommendations for safe installation on two light bulbs are discussed below.

Preparations

work Preparation for installation of electrical switching devices( in this case, switches) provides for an understanding of their device, onvalues, performance, principle of operation and the availability of tools for their installation in domestic and industrial environments.

The number of switched on lighting devices is controlled by a switch having an additional outgoing contact and a separate control button. In size, it usually does not differ from single-key. This is done for easy replacement of each other. The main difference lies in their switching "stuffing".

The device for two keys has a working part, which includes three contacts. One of the contacts is incoming, and the other two are outgoing. Outgoing contacts have independent on / off control.

During the installation process, it is positioned so that the outgoing contacts are located at the top. This is due to the generally accepted standard position on / off.

A phase wire coming from the junction box is connected to the terminal of the incoming contact. On the terminals of the outgoing contacts, the phase wires of the consumers are installed: individual lamps of one luminaire, separate lamps, separate groups of lamps.

The zero wire( working zero) to consumers is removed from the junction box and does not pass through the switch.

According to their performance, two-key models are divided into models for installation directly on the wall( for open wiring), and models for internal installation in the wall( for hidden wiring).

Wiring diagram of a two-button switch for two

bulbs For proper connection to the electrical network, you should understand the electrical circuit of its installation.

A modern electrical network requires an earthing conductor in the supply networks of all electrical consumers. In the networks of wiring houses of the Soviet era, such a conductor is missing. Yes, and in many private buildings it is not always there, especially in lighting networks. This can be explained by the relatively low electrical power of household lighting.

Therefore, we will objectively consider the wiring diagram of a two-button switch for wiring without a grounding conductor.

This diagram shows an example of connecting two lamps of one luminaire, or two independent lamps. In this case, the phase wire arrives at the input terminal of the switch and, through independent outgoing contacts, is sent to consumers by two separate wires.

For greater clarity, a diagram of the connection of two independent groups of lamps, or lamps, connected in series.

With this scheme, the connection of the working part of the device does not change and is performed similarly to the previous example.

What tools and materials will you need to install the

double switch? For installation, you will need the following tool. Considered for models of two standard versions.

switch for open wiring:

• Electric drill.
• Drill with a diameter of 6 mm( for wood) or a drill with a diameter of 6 mm( for a concrete, brick wall).
• Phillips screwdriver for clamping the wire in the terminal contacts and fixing the switch body.
• Screwdriver - an indicator for determining the presence of voltage in the network.
• Knife for stripping the insulating layer of the wire.(in the absence of a special tool for stripping insulation from cable wiring products).And also the knife is necessary for the preparation of the input and outgoing openings in the switch housing for wires( cable).
• Pliers for crimping flexible wires. If the wire is monolithic, pliers may not be needed. But you can also use crimp lugs, corresponding to the cross section of the wire( for flexible wire).
• Dowel with plug 6x40( standard size is indicated, it may vary depending on local conditions).
• Marker or felt-tip pen for applying phase / zero marking on wires( for safety reasons).

To ensure safety from electric shock, the entire tool must be with insulated handles to insulate the metal parts of the tool from the installer’s hands. On a quality tool, an insulation class is indicated, or the limit voltage value, in the network of which it is allowed to work with such a tool.

Switch for concealed wiring.

To install the switch in the network with hidden wiring, you will need the same set of tools as in the previous example, but with a significant addition. You will need a puncher with special equipment - a crown for drilling holes of a standard sample in concrete and brick walls. Since the working part is recessed into the wall, one cannot do without a perforator.

And you also need a special mortar to fix in the drilled hole of the plastic case of the switch. For this purpose, suitable construction gypsum, plaster, etc.

Connection instructions

Consider the installation process on the example of a switch for hidden wiring. This process is preferable, since the aesthetics of the home interior provides for the presence of hidden wiring.

1. Drill a hole in the wall with a punch and a special crown.

2 switch. Remove the destroyed wall elements with a chisel or screwdriver.

3. Verify that the hole corresponds to the size of the plastic switch case.

4. Penetration test for electrical wiring.(Descend to the baseboard, as in this example, or to the junction box).

5. Cutting a patterned hole in the plastic case of the switch for wiring.

wire. 6. Wetting the prepared hole with water for better contact with the building mix-fixer.

7. Applying the mortar to the hole and installing the casing.

8. Installation of a plastic housing.

9. Removal of excess mortar solution.

10. Leveling the surface of the solution.

11. The final position of the switch body after the mortar has hardened.

12 was mounted. The next step is to connect the working part of the switch and install it in the case.

For safe operation, turn off the voltage of the network to which we connect the device. Pre-determine the phase and neutral wires using a voltage indicator. We mark the wires in order not to get confused in the future.

After the installation of the plastic case is completed and the mixture is hardened, we start the phase wire in the switch case. Connect the phase wire to the terminal of the incoming contact device.

Connect two outgoing phase wires, respectively, to the outgoing terminals of the contacts. We get the following.

Further, we fix the working part in the plastic case with the help of a metal frame.

13. It remains only to install the switch keys and it is ready for operation.

switch keys Provided that the luminaires are already connected, power up the network and check the operation.

For greater clarity of the connection process, below is a video on this topic.

How to install and connect the switch on two keys with your own hands: video

Possible errors and their solutions

When connecting the working part, you can confuse the phase and neutral wires to avoid this, you need to mark them in a timely manner.

The position of the switch keys is standardly set as follows:

Installing the switches is not very time-consuming, although a multi-step process. If you follow the above recommendations and their sequence, problems should arise. It is necessary to remember the main rule of electricians. Before starting work( installation, repair of electrical appliances and equipment), turn off the power to the network and check the absence of voltage at the workplace. It is very important to take measures to mistakenly turn on the voltage in the network. In order for no one to turn on the circuit breaker that you turned off before starting work, by mistake, you should post a banner on “Do not turn on, people work!” Or lock this machine in the box on the lock( if there is one).Safety first!