Connecting a light switch with two keys: how to install correctly

Two-button switches are used, if necessary, to manage two electric lighting devices simultaneously from one point. They also help to adjust the brightness of the lighting in the simplest way. Agree, connecting a light switch with two keys creates additional amenities.

We suggest to familiarize with the detailed process of installation and connection of the double switch. Here you will find interesting information about the device design features of the light control. With our help, you can easily install.

We have completed the thoroughly described instructions with illustrative illustrations, photo clips, wiring diagrams and video tutorials.

Internal device switch

The internal device of the two-phase switch differs from the single-phase by the presence of two output terminals instead of one.

More specifically, it consists of the following elements:

• mechanism and decorative panel;
• single input terminals;
• two output terminals;
• two keys.

Terminals are special clamping mechanisms. To connect the wire, you just need to strip it, insert it into the terminal box and clamp it with a screw. The input or common terminal is located mostly separately and is labeled as L.

On the opposite side are two output terminals. They may be referred to as L1, L2, or 1.2. Some models may have screw terminals instead of a terminal block. It is undesirable to use them, as the mount can gradually loosen and will have to be pressed.

Install the device so that when it is turned on, press the top half of the key. To determine the top and bottom of the element, you can use the indicator - a special screwdriver that works on the circuit.

To do this, take a nail or a piece of wire and touch it to one contact, apply an indicator to the other, holding your thumb on top.

If the light inside does not light up, it means that the switch contacts are open. When the position of the keys is on, it should glow. It remains to note the top of the element.

Step-by-step description of the work process

In addition to standard models, a switch of two keys can be additionally equipped with a backlight, an indicator. The backlight helps to identify it in the dark, and the luminous indicator will make it clear that the electrical network is intact and is closed. They also produce models with shockproof and waterproof cases. They can be installed in the bath, bathroom or on the street.

There are also walk-through switches. They have almost the same design, with the exception of the additional terminal. Such devices are connected to one or a group of lamps and allow you to control the lighting from opposite ends of the room. For example, going into the bedroom, you can turn on the light, and going to bed, turn it off near the bed.

In practice, as a two-key device to control the lighting device can be used wiring products with one caliper and two keys or two single-key modules connected jumper. The difference in their installation is the following photo selection:

# 1: Features of choosing a place to install

There are no standards for placing the device in the legislation. Their installation implies convenient use for adults and children.

And if before the usual practice was to place the device at a height of about 2 m, now the switch is often located at the level of a lowered hand of an adult. Thus, the element becomes available for almost all residents of the house.

The only place where the placement of the switch can have any restrictions is the bathroom or bath. Here you need to take into account the placement of the sink and open shower. When operating the device, it should not fall under water droplets.

# 2: Preparing for installation

Whatever electrical installation work you have to perform, the first thing that is important to do is to disconnect the network. Never for a moment should we forget that electricity is dangerous. In addition to the effects of current, illiterately laid wiring can cause electrical breakdowns or fire in the house.

Rules of conduct when working with electrical networks:

• be sure to disconnect the network;
• do not touch the connected devices with wet hands;
• do not use metal brackets to secure the wiring;
• do not overload the electrical network;
• it is better to replace the damaged wire with a new one, rather than repair it;
• work can only be a tool with insulated handles;

When working with electricity, do not touch the water or gas metal pipes.

Starting to connect yourself, you must:

• take steps to comply with safety regulations;
• familiarize yourself with the patterns of marking wires;
• check the network for compliance with the labeling.

Any home owner for a replacement and switch connection hardly want to invite an electrician. In addition, to perform this task, there is no need for complex instruments and tools.

To install will need:

• assembly knife;
• insulating tape;
• hammer and chisel;
• pliers;
• indicator screwdriver, as well as figured and straight.

If the installation has to be carried out in a new place, and hidden wiring is laid in the house, a drill with a crown or a perforator can be useful.

# 3: Identification of electrical wires by color marking

Without knowledge and compliance with the marking proceed to the installation is absolutely impossible. It is used to create a safe environment and reduce time spent on work.

The following designations are used to form the correct compounds:

• zero - always and without exception blue;
• protection is also strictly the same color - yellow-green;
• phase - predominantly brown or red.

These are just basic combinations. In addition, alphanumeric marking is used to eliminate confusion in identification.

If during the work it turned out that there was no visual indication, then it is necessary to independently mark the wiring with the help of multi-colored heat shrink tubing or colored insulation.

# 4: Identification of conductors with a multimeter

Blindly trust labeling is not worth it. These designations have repeatedly changed their standards. Therefore, getting down to business, you must additionally check the nature of the conductors. To do this, use the indicator screwdriver and multimeter.

If the structure has a single-phase electrical network without a grounding system, then the indicator will help determine the phase or zero. Having disconnected the electric power, they clean the conductors and take them away so that they do not touch each other.

Turning on the power supply to the wires bring a screwdriver. The light in the indicator will flash when the phase is touched to the conductor, and does not come on when touched to zero.

To analyze the network in which there is a third, protective conductor, use a multimeter. By setting the range for alternating current to a value above 220 volts, one tentacle is brought to the phase, the other is fixed on any of the conductors. Upon contact with the neutral wire, the device will determine the voltage within 220 volts, with the protective one - slightly lower.

# 5: Dismantling an old electrical switch

To access the fasteners, you need to remove the keys and the decorative panel. To do this, use a screwdriver or a thin knife to hook the first key and carefully remove it. So do the second. Next, remove the decorative cover. In some models, they unscrew.

Then the mechanism itself is taken out - it can be fastened using clamping lugs or screws. Disconnect the conductors and, if necessary, dismantle the old bottom plate.

Clearly, the dismantling process is shown in the photo gallery:

# 6: Installation of elements with closed and open wiring

Installing switches in newly built homes is reduced to connecting the element to the previously electrical network. In the old house, in which the old wiring already requires replacement, it is necessary to make new penalties and lay the cable.

And with an open arrangement of electrical wiring, each cable is supplied to the switch in the insulating corrugated pipes, cable channels.

The subsequent choice of the model of the switch and the method of its installation depend on the method of laying the wires in the house. A device that is suitable for open wiring consists of a flat box, an internal mechanism, an insulating decorative cover. The design does not hide in the recess of the wall, but completely protrudes above the surface.

Installation begins with installation of an underside - flat bottom. Carry it out with the help of suitable fasteners. For different wall surfaces can be used screws or dowels, screws, screws.

Further, after connecting the wires, fix the switch mechanism, put on a decorative insulating cover. In it, the manufacturer has already thought out a hole for the conductor. The lid itself is worn, hiding the mechanism, and secured with latches.

For double switch installations In rooms with hidden wiring, podozetniki (mounting boxes) in the form of a small bowl are used. A hole is cut in the wall or a small depression of the appropriate size is made.

During installation, make sure that the device locks in smoothly, without distortions. Podozetniki can be installed side by side - any required number - and fixed with the help of plaster mixes. Then, to meet the underdog, hollows are punched with depth sufficient to lay the wire.

# 7: Electrical Wire Connection Options

The weakest links in the electrical circuit - places wire connections. Not surprisingly, most problems occur there.

When connecting a switch, there is no need to consider all connection methods, here are the most basic ones:

1. Hand twist - a very common method that requires subsequent isolation.
2. Terminal block - widely used as a connecting link. It consists of copper clamps, clad in a plastic case.
3. Soldering - although it helps to create high-quality grip, the complexity of the process does not contribute to its popularity.

It should be said about the shrink tube, which perfectly helps to isolate the joints and even strengthens them a little.

# 8: Connection diagram and step by step actions

In the case of the old system of conducting electrical networks, the power is supplied to the house from the electrical panel through a two-core cable. The ground loop is located on the transformer to which the neutral conductor is connected.

Despite its simplicity, this method has a significant drawback - a low level of security.

In the working case of the switch, one of the phase conductors of the three-core cable is connected to the common terminal block (L). To do this, lead the wire into the hole in the terminal and tighten the screw. The other two phase electric wires are connected to separate contacts, and then they lead to the wiring box and are connected to the luminaire phases.

Connection wiring should be carried out in a junction box. It hides inaccurate weaves from sight and serves as an insulator.

To properly connect the electrical wires, do the following:

1. The conductors coming from the luminaires and the two-phase switch, as well as the power supply wire, are brought into the box, removing the insulating coating from the 2-3 cm section.
2. Connect the phases of the main power cable and switch.
3. The incoming neutral wire is connected to the neutral wires of the luminaires.
4. Phase outgoing from the switch, alternately attached to the conductors of the phases coming from the lighting fixtures.

To the switch is only the phase wire. It is strictly forbidden to connect it to a neutral wire. Otherwise, the replacement of a light bulb can be a dangerous procedure.

Any wire is best summed up with a margin, putting the excess for the design. It is not allowed to leave open wires, even inside the elements. All exposed areas must be carefully insulated. To do this better textile tape.

You can familiarize yourself with the common schemes of connecting a double switch in popular article our site.

Connection example from a nearby outlet

Consider the option of connecting the control device of two lamps according to the scheme below:

Location near the outlet and the switch - a common situation for small domestic apartments. Let us analyze how to connect a double switch in this case:

Installation of two-phase circuit breaker

To control multiple lighting devices from different parts of the room, use two-way switch. It is similar in its internal structure to two single-key pass-throughs, combined in a common decorative case. It contains two groups of terminals that open the current supply from one pair of wires to another.

How to install:

1. The phase conductor from the installation box is laid to terminals 1 and 2 (on the right), which are interconnected according to the scheme.
2. Already four phases leave the switch, which lead to the box, and then to the second switch.
3. From the switch number 2 depart (without intersecting) two phases. They are led to the box, where they are connected to two independent conductors leading to the lamps.

By installing, you can first hold one pair of wires, and then the second, so as not to confuse them, otherwise the circuit will not work.

Electrical connection

It is possible to determine that the wiring is carried out exactly on the new system, it is possible by the laid cable. It will be three-core with single-phase power or five-core with three-phase power. One of the single-phase power wires will be the phase marked in brown or red, the other is neutral (zero), marked in blue, and the third is the protective wire, marked in yellow-green.

For easier identification, alphanumeric color notation is used:

• A, B, C - phase;
• N is neutral or zero;
• PE - protective.

The difference is wiring diagrams It consists in an additional protective conductor PE, which is directly brought to the lamps.

After connecting the wires to the working mechanism, they are pressed closer to the body, and then installed in a subconnector. Fasten in mounting box with clamping lugs or bolts. Put on the decorative case and keys.

Conclusions and useful video on the topic

Available video on the installation of a simple electrical circuit, you can view here:

When installing the electrical network or its elements, it is necessary to correctly carry out the above instructions. If you still have doubts about how to properly connect a two-button light switch to the network, it’s best to contact a professional.

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