The rope switch is one of the oldest lighting control designs. Such devices are still installed in interiors due to their aesthetic qualities and ease of use.
Return of retro
A switch with a rope was used to control lighting even before the spread of electric lamps: a bell was attached to the rope, at the sound of which a maid would come to extinguish the candle. When electricity firmly entered everyday life, the rope switch in a modified form (a design sharpened to open an electrical circuit) continued to be a part of the interior for a long time, not least due to the design possibilities that such a configuration provides.
Models are available with a handle design and a lace capsule designed for use in a specific interior style (classicism, rococo, empire style, etc.). Chains and cords were used to equip not only switches for ceiling lamps, but also wall and table appliances.
In British homes, the jerk switch is still the only type of light control device approved for use in bathrooms. Experts in the country believe that only this type of device, which does not even allow unintentional touching of parts carrying an electrical load, is able to provide sufficient safety in a room with high air humidity.
In Soviet times, power supply workers often received orders to install push-button switches in apartments instead of out-of-fashion rope switches. Since the 90s, jib designs have been gaining popularity again. This can be a ceiling chandelier that illuminates the entire room, and a separate small lamp aimed at illuminating a small section of the space.
Applications
Installation of a light switch with a string is possible as part of different lighting structures, each of which is sharpened for a specific task.
Lighting of halls and corridors
Due to the fact that a significant part of the dirt brought by a pedestrian from the street is retained in the hallways and corridors, pollution on the push-button device, along with fingerprints, soon begin to give out the period of limitation of repair work. Using a string switch will help prevent this situation. Residents will not need to get the buttons dirty or touch the walls while trying to fumble for the switch.
Wall lights
In the case of using a wall-mounted device for zonal lighting of a living room, the user also has the advantage of not having to touch the wall. In addition, a handle or a chain can be a decorative element that maintains the unity of the interior of the room - you can choose an option that is stylistically combined with the main chandelier or with furniture.
Luminous ceilings
In the case of ceiling lighting equipment, the main advantage of pull bars is that they do not need to be wired to the wall to install. This is a rather laborious operation, moreover, not very suitable for arranging lighting for completed wall decoration.When installing the jerk, the capsule with the mechanism can be hidden by a ceiling guide or plasterboard box, and the string itself can be lowered along the wall.
Furniture lighting
The combination of the compactness and good visibility of the rope switch makes it an excellent option for kitchen installations to illuminate the lower parts of wall hanging cabinets in furniture sets. Thinking over its location, you need to take care of the sufficient distance of the switch from the ventilation devices.
The installation process is very simple: the duralight strips are attached under the edges of the hanging cabinets, and the device capsule is placed inside one of them. A hole is drilled in the bottom, a cord is passed there, and electrical power is supplied to the structure.
How to choose a connection location
Before connecting the rope structure, you need to consider the location of the lamp. There should be no fans or other devices nearby that could touch or pull on the rope. If you plan to install a wall sconce, it should be located at a height of approximately 1.5 m from the floor. When placing a pair of suspension devices, you need to pay attention to the symmetry of their positions. You also need to think about how to bring the wiring as discreetly as possible.
Installation features
To connect, you need to prepare the following items and tools:
- stepladder if the device is located high;
- well sharpened knife;
- pliers;
- an electric drill with a set of drills (the latter are selected, focusing on the material from which the walls are made - wood, concrete, etc.);
- two types of screwdrivers - with a Phillips head and equipped with an indicator;
- simple pencil.
Equipment installation works are carried out in the following order:
- Disconnect the current in the room by unscrewing the plugs or moving the switch to the inoperative position.
- Check the absence of voltage on those wires that are planned to be connected to the luminaire. They are tested in turn with a screwdriver with a current indicator.
- The back panel of the sconce is brought to the placement area and pencil marks are made on the wall in the places where the fasteners will be located.
- With a drill I drill holes in the marked places and fix the panel with dowel nails.
- Remove 0.5 cm of insulation from the ends of the input contacts with a knife.
- Guided by the connection diagram, the wires of the wiring of the room and the lighting device are connected.
- The body of the device itself is attached to the panel. They are fixed with fasteners supplied with the luminaire. If desired, you can fix the lampshade using a ladder if necessary.
- Screw in the bulb of the preferred type (LED, fluorescent, etc.).
- Check if the device is firmly fixed.
- Turn on the current in the room by means of plugs or a switch.
- Turn on the device by means of a rope mechanism and check if it works correctly. The contact points of the wires must not generate sparks.
The process of connecting a rope switch does not require complex manipulations associated with connecting a chandelier, therefore, even a person with little experience in construction and installation work can install such a device.
