How to connect a double switch?

Nowadays, lighting devices are popular witha lot of light bulbs creating bright lighting. However, not always in the room you need bright lighting and there is a problem of lighting control. One of the solutions to the problem is the use of a double or triple switch, which allows to include groups of lamps separately.

Lamp connection

But how to properly connect a double switchfor a chandelier or a wall lamp? It is not at all difficult, if you recall the school course of physics, stock up on the simplest tools and observe safety techniques.

First, let's talk about howconnection light. As a rule, the apartment is supplied with a phase and a neutral wire. To ensure that the light bulbs begin to glow, they must be fed to both the zero and the phase. The zero wire is directly connected to the light and falls on each light bulb. A phase wire is broken by a switch and this is how the light is controlled. Why just a phase wire? Exclusively for safety reasons. Since if you make a permanent phase connection to the lighting fixture and tear off the zero, there will always be voltage on the base of the lighting fixture and even a regular replacement of the light bulb can be associated with a danger to the person who replaces it.

So, how to connect a double switch:

1. Since the installation or replacement of a switch is connectedwith work with a phase conductor, the apartment must be de-energized by turning off the automatons (by removing the plugs) on the switchboard. To be sure that the voltage is off, it is better to leave a lighting device included in the network - for example, a table lamp.
2. If your wiring allows the connection of a double switch, two wires must come to it - one from each group of lamps and one phase from the junction box.
3. If you are in doubt about which of the wiresphase, before connecting a double switch, you must determine the wires. To do this, gently dilute the tips of the wires in different directions, so that they do not touch, turn on the voltage on the switchboard and with a screwdriver-tester gently touch the bare tip of each of the wires. That wire, when touched, the light will turn on, and will be phase.
4. Turn off the light on the switchboard again.
5. Now you can proceed with the installation of the switch. As a rule, two-key switches have three terminals - two top and one bottom. The lower one is used to connect the phase conductor, and the two upper ones are used for wires from groups of lamps. Typically, a diagram of its connection is shown on the back of the switch body.
6. Strip the exposed wire edges. To connect the wire, loosen the terminal screw, insert the edge of the wire into it and tighten the screw tightly with a screwdriver to ensure a tight contact. If the screw is not tightened enough, the connection will not be dense, and in its place there will be arcing and heating, which in time can lead to negative consequences. In the same way, connect all three terminals.
7. Finally, put on a decorative switch panel and turn on the voltage on the switchboard. Try the switch.

How to make a double switch? The double switch can be replaced by two single switches installed side by side. But the double switch is more compact and aesthetic looking, so it is preferable.

In any case, whatever switch you set, never forget your own safety measures when working with electricity.