Product classification

Today it is customary to classify products according to the following criteria:

• Installation type
• Wire connection method;
• Administration method.

Let us consider in more detail the type of light switches .

Installation type

By type of installation, devices are divided into hidden and external. The first option is used when laying wiring inside the walls (installation of hidden electrical wiring). The second option is used if the line is made in an open way (in a bath, wooden house, garage).

The advantage of hidden keys is a more attractive appearance. The open air is more convenient for maintenance and repair.

How to connect wires

Depending on the method of connecting the cores, products can have a design that allows the connectors to be fastened with special screws or without screws.

In the first case, a special mounting plate is used, which reliably fixes the cores in the doorway. The disadvantage of this type of fastening is that over time the screw can loosen and need to be tightened. A screw connection is used if the wires are aluminum. For copper conductors, a screwless fastening mechanism is recommended.

Control method

So we come to the simplest variety of light switches.

According to this classification, mechanisms are divided into the following types:

• keyboard ;
• push the button;
• Dimmers
• vertigo
• pregnancy
• sensory
• vocal (they are also called cotton or voice);
• remote control;
• wandering
• Cross.

Rocker switches are a classic of the genre. This type is the leader in the electrical products market and is often used to connect fixtures. The principle of operation is very simple – the circuit is closed when the rocker button is pressed. Usually, the housing is installed in such a way that the switch is in the unused position. There are single, dual and three-key models.

Advantage of this type:

• low price;
• Comfortable use
• Easy to repair, install and replace.

There are no special disadvantages, but in comparison with modern models, the following can be distinguished:

• Not such a long resource of work;
• There is no way to adjust the light intensity;
• It does not have energy saving properties.

Push-button products have long appeared on the electrical appliances market.They are a little more expensive than the classic look of light switches, but at the same time they do not have special advantages. The only thing that can be noted is that the buttons are more proportional to the interior of the room. There are models with a different number of buttons, with an LED indicator and additional decorative trim, so you can choose a product for any interior.

Dimmers are a modern type of light switch. The principle of their work is that it is necessary to rotate the wheel to adjust the light intensity. This feature makes it unique and sought-after, because the illumination range can be adjusted from 0% to 100%.

features:

• Allow energy saving;
• Convenient to use (for example, if someone is sleeping in the room, you can dim the lighting, while not waking the person up and you can do your own thing);
• With additional automation, dimmers (microcontroller) can simulate the presence of a person, as well as turn off when there are no people in the room.

Rotary switches are used to create an interior in retro style. This type of product can also be seen installing electrical wiring in the bathroom. They have simple design and low price. The disadvantage is the lack of functionality compared to modern types.

Rope-type products, like the previous version, are often used exclusively for decorative purposes. We can also note the fact that the lanyard switch is more convenient than the keyboard switch, because it is easier to find the lanyard in the dark, and if the device is set to high, the child will be able to turn on the light on his own. Most often, this type of device is used connecting candlesticks as in the photo.

Innovation in the world of electrical appliances – touch switches. This sight has the highest working resource, in addition, the sensor is more convenient to use. Touch models are used to create a smart home, as well as in modern apartments. Most touch models have additional functions, for example, self-off. An important advantage of the variety is the absence of a short circuit, which makes it undoubtedly the safest for home wiring.

Voice keys are convenient in that they can be operated by regular clapping hands. Through this feature, they have won the hearts of many people, because there is no longer any need to feel electrical accessories in the dark. The disadvantage of the audio model is frequent failures the first time, but such reviews can only be heard from buyers of inexpensive products.

The remote model also belongs to the group of modern objects. To turn on the light in the room, simply press the appropriate key on the remote control.

Comfortable and safe at the same time (taking into account the night search button). Among the disadvantages of this type of switch is the increased price and the fact that the remote control in the classics of the genre likes to get lost in the room, and sometimes the night search for the remote control takes longer than finding a traditional keyboard product. It should also be noted that products on the remote control can have many modern functions: imitation of presence, automatic shutdown, etc.

Separately, I would like to mention two more types of products – sealed and continuous. The first option is a unit with a more complex design, which prevents dust and moisture from entering the body. Often used for installation of electrical wiring in the garage, on the street and in the bathroom. Navigation switches are used in large rooms where there is a need to control lighting from different points.At first glance, these products do not differ from ordinary products, but if you get inside the mechanism it will be completely different. Corridor and cross models are mostly used in long corridors and on stairs, because using the detailed model, you can control the lighting from different points. About how the light switch passes, we told in a separate article.

So we presented the main types of light switches for home and apartment. We hope this information is useful and new to you.