Replacing light switches with one or two keys with your own hands

Sooner or later, it becomes necessary to install new switches. This may be required not only at home, but also at work, in the garage. The process of replacing electrical equipment does not cause difficulties, but it allows you to save the family budget on the services of an electrician.

Basic requirements when replacing electrical equipment

Before starting work, you need to familiarize yourself with the main set of requirements for the repair of electrical equipment. Strict adherence to them will guarantee the safety of the entire work process.

• The most important condition is that when starting to work with electrical appliances, you must first de-energize the room.
• It is not enough to just de-energize, you need to make sure that there is no voltage at the output with the help of an indicator screwdriver.
• Only after the first two requirements are met, you can start dismantling old electrical structures and installing new ones.

Each type of switch has its own design features, therefore, has its own installation features.

Dismantling switches

Dismantling should not cause difficulties, the main thing is to pre-prepare the working tool and consumables. The master will need autonomous light sources to illuminate dark places, a voltage indicator, high-quality insulation material, a set of screwdrivers, a stationery knife and pliers.

The old rocker switch is dismantled according to the following sequence:

1. The keys are removed from the switch. This can be done using an ordinary flat screwdriver, prying the keys with it. Double and triple keys are removed alternately.
2. Using the same screwdriver, the outer panel of the electrical device is removed.
3. As soon as the panel is removed, the master will have access to the screws with which the switch is attached to the wall itself. They must be unscrewed.
4. The switch is removed from a niche in the wall.
5. All wires are disconnected. It is important to remember the order of connecting the wires, since the connection principle is the same everywhere.

If such work is performed for the first time, you can take a photo of the wires so that in the future there will be no confusion when connecting a new device.

So far, the most common types of switches are traditional overhead and embedded designs. Replacing an overhead switch with a built-in one and vice versa does not cause difficulties, since their design features are identical. The main difference is that the built-in models are mounted directly into the wall, while the external ones are attached to its surface.

How to change a light switch with one key

Dismantling and installation of this type of structure is considered the easiest. Removing the one-button switch is required in the following sequence:

1. Remove the key with a screwdriver or any other flat object.
2. Remove decorative overhead frames.
3. The screws are unscrewed from the fixing socket.
4. All the insides of the electrical structure and wires are removed from the wall.

When installing a new design, the algorithm is identical, only all actions are performed in reverse order.

Replacing a one-button with a two-button

There are no fundamental differences and features in the installation of two-key switches in comparison with single-key designs.

When installing a switch with two buttons, the correct wiring is taken into account. One phase conductor is suitable for it, its origin was laid in the circuit breaker of the main board. You need to find it even before the voltage is removed from the switch.

There should be two lead wires from the switch to the load. An individual conductive core is drawn to the lighting fixtures; when the installation is completed, current from the switch will flow through them.

The installation sequence for this kind of electrical structures has the same algorithm with the replacement of a one-button switch in the room.

How to change the switch to touch

If it was decided to install touch switches at home, a strict sequence of actions must be followed during the work.

• De-energize the room.
• Dismantle the old electrical device.
• Remove the upper part of the panel.
• Connect the wires taking into account the location of the terminals.
• Installation in a special box - socket box with subsequent secure fixation. It uses screws and spacers.

There are various modifications of touch switches, some of them have specific features, therefore, before proceeding with the installation, it is necessary to familiarize yourself with the information in the accompanying documentation.

Installing a dimmer switch

Switches equipped with a dimmer are gaining more and more popularity. This device allows you to adjust the brightness of the lighting.

There are no fundamental differences in the device, therefore the installation technology is not much different from the previous cases. The only requirement stated by the manufacturers is compliance with all the rules for connecting conductive cores to the load on the switch and the phase terminals.

Replacement with a sound device

First of all, you need to familiarize yourself with the types of sound (cotton) switches. They are of two types:

• Sound switch, which is mounted in place of the old switch.
• A sound switch that is built into the inside of the lighting device or a person installs it there himself.

Installation of the first type of devices is not difficult. It is enough to dismantle the old structure and install a new one; the algorithm has no fundamental differences with the replacement of other types of switches. However, before starting work, it is better to familiarize yourself with the accompanying documentation, since the models are constantly being improved, which may cause new requirements for the installation.

To connect the second type, it is not at all necessary to dismantle the old switch. It is preferable to install such structures in a study or a guest room. For the continuous operation of the structure, the switch on the wall must always be in the on position.

During the planning stage, you need to find the most suitable place to install the cotton switch in the lighting fixture. Such structures are equipped with a paired number of wires, which must be sequentially connected directly to the lighting device and electrical communications. Once the device has been installed, you need to properly adjust its sensitivity to the optimal sound level.

There are many types of switches that are made in different designs. However, they have almost the same design characteristics, the installation and dismantling process is almost the same.The specific requirements for a particular device must be described in the accompanying documentation.

When performing work, do not forget about personal safety, otherwise serious damage to health can be caused, and death is possible.