Electrical switches are an integral part of any electrical system. It helps us control various electrical appliances right at the fingertips.
In today's day and age, switches are a matter of course, but they are an important part of our daily life. Ever since the invention of the first switch, things have changed a lot, we can find different types of electrical switches based on shapes, sizes, color, designs, etc.
To help you choose the right electrical switch, we have listed different types of electrical switches commonly available in the market.
In today's day and age, switches are a matter of course, but they are an important part of our daily life. Ever since the invention of the first switch, things have changed a lot, we can find different types of electrical switches based on shapes, sizes, color, designs, etc.
To help you choose the right electrical switch, we have listed different types of electrical switches commonly available in the market.
1 Way Switch:
One-way or single pole switches are the most common switches used in homes, offices, buildings, etc. They act as a single switch to regulate the flow of current in an electrical circuit. When it is switched on, both terminals get connected. When it is turned off, it breaks the circuit. They have both a single input and a single output.
2 Way Switch:
Two-way or two-pole switches are typically used in industrial applications, but can also be used in household wiring systems. These switches are used to regulate the flow of current across devices connected at more than one location. A 2-way switch basically consists of two one-way switches that are combined into one. Only one device can be connected to the circuit at a time, but not at the same time.
Bell Push Switch:
The Bell Push Switch is simply a switch used for controlling the doorbell in residential and commercial premises. By default, the bell push switch keeps the circuit broken. But when it is pressed, the circuit completes and the associated doorbell rings. This helps to alert the people in the houses, offices, etc. about the arrival of a person.
Regulator Switch:
The Regulator is a simple device that is used to increase or decrease the speed of a fan according to different requirements. It must be turned clockwise or counterclockwise to regulate the speed. It rotates gradually in steps, each step represents a specific fan speed. This makes it very convenient to regulate the speed of the fan, which is needed due to different ambient temperatures at different times of the year.
Dimmer Switch:
A dimmer works very much like a fan regulator. It is used to adjust the light intensity as needed. By reducing the intensity of the light emitted, a significant amount of electricity can be saved over the years.
Toggle Switch:
A toggle switch simply operates by changing the direction of the lever up or down. It is mainly used for industrial purposes but nowadays an aesthetic version of it can be found in housing wiring systems.
Wall Switches:
The Wall Switch is one of the most common and important electrical devices in the home. They are suitable to operate on line voltage and fit inside standard electrical boxes. A wall switch can be used across various residential, commercial, and government buildings for lighting control.
Touch Switches:
A Touch switch is a special type of switch in which a touch triggers the circuit to open or close. Touch switches are often used in wall-mounted light switches and lamps. They are easy to install and have a sleek design which makes them aesthetically pleasing. Capacitive, Resistive, and Piezo are active touch switches in today’s market. Although expensive, Touch switches are the most stylish and flamboyant switches.
Double-Pole Switches:
A Double-Pole switch has on/off markings and controls a device or equipment from one location. The basic difference between a Single-Pole switch and a Double-Pole switch is that a Double-Pole switch has four hot brass terminals, instead of two, and a ground terminal. It allows control over higher power feeding appliances, motors, and machinery.
Multi-Location Switches:
A multi-location switch controls a device from numerous locations. Any number of intermediate switches can be inserted, allowing for any number of locations. This requires two wires along the sequence of switches. However, these are expensive and complicated to install.
Four-Way Switches:
A four-way switch allows you to control an electrical device from three separate locations.There are four terminals that provide two sets of toggle positions on a four-way switch. They can be used in large rooms that have many door openings or exits. Each opening from which you can enter or leave a room would have a switch that controls the lighting within that room, thanks to a four-way switch.
