Selection and installation of electrical appliances in residential premises are not the most important part of the repair work, but still they are of great importance in matters of visual decoration. The range of different devices today is wide enough to be able to find the most suitable product in terms of shape, color, size and design. You can economically place a switch with a socket in one housing. Such a combination has become popular recently with many buyers.
The advantage of combining socket and switch into one housing
The main advantage of mounting a junction box for a switch and socket is the ease of connection. In these cases, there is no need to make two holes in the wall and lead contacts to several places, as with separate connection of sockets and switches. Strobes are a mustneeds to be covered up with a little cosmetic work. An additional convenience, of course, can be considered the location at the same height of the switch and socket. This installation principle is typical for the correct compliance with European standards.
Due to the availability of these devices, it is always possible to buy the cheapest switch and socket and install it in one scheme. The ease of installation of these electrical appliances makes it easy to do the work yourself. If necessary, the unit can be easily moved to another location. In this case, two separate eyeliners do not need to be laid. It will not be necessary to align the switch and socket at the same level.
Mounting Features
You can connect a triple switch with a socket in one housing on almost any surface, be it foam block, drywall, stone or brick. Installation of such devices is possible both indoors and from the outside of any building. For outdoor installation, it is recommended to use models with moisture protection.
What are the disadvantages?
The negative side of such devices is the need to replace the entire unit with its partial failure. It will not be possible, for example, to remove a damaged switch element and insert a new one. Still, this disadvantage is not so important when compared with the advantages of using combined cases.
Howchoose a matching block?
Switch socket in one housing are available on the market today in various combinations, which are classified according to two main principles. The first is the number of switch keys and sockets, and the second is the appearance of the unit. So, for example, in one housing you can purchase a single socket and a triple switch, or any other combination of which there are a huge number to choose from.
In addition, as you know, there are internal and external sockets. The first are used for hidden eyeliner, and the second - for open. An outdoor switch with a socket in a double housing looks more cumbersome than an indoor one. However, this will be the only option if the living space has an exposed wiring system and it would be difficult to replace it.
How to install a socket with a switch in one housing?
The block is connected in approximately the following way. After turning off the power supply, markings are made for the subsequent installation of the cases. The wall is checked with a crown in the right place. The perforated holes that are intended for cable entry must be broken.
Installation boxes are interconnected, and special connectors are inserted into the grooves. The cable is pre-stripped and put into boxes. The structure is fixed to the wall with fixing screws. Wires must be prepared for connection.
Cover with outletis removed, and the contacts are connected to its terminals. The socket is installed in the box after unscrewing the screws. Switch wires are insulated and then connected. A block overlay common to the socket and switch is installed, and the cover is closed. The power is turned on and the quality of the device is checked.
Suitable installation locations
Such devices are convenient to install in corridors, bathrooms, as well as other rooms where there is a need for compact electrical devices. In such places, sockets mainly serve as temporary power sources for a wide variety of electrical appliances.
Theoretically, a switch with a socket in one housing can be installed in any corner of a house or apartment, but more attention should be paid to the layout. It is best to choose a suitable place for installation in accordance with the plan of the living space. You can choose the number of keys, depending on a specific location. If you plan to install switch blocks with sockets in wet rooms, you will need a device with special shutters for protection. You will also need to follow the basic rules and installation requirements.
Installation of a block with single-gang switches
Modern switch with socket in one housing is becoming more and more popular with customers. To install such a block, a few simple steps are performed. To the junction box from the central shield, it is necessary to lay a phase and zero. Also in the junction boxshould include two three wires from the block and two from the light bulb, in which separate devices are combined.
The phase contact from the shield is fastened to the wire leading to the socket, which is connected to the terminal on the switch with a jumper. The remaining two phase contacts from the switch and the cartridge of the consuming light source are twisted and insulated. In the event that the unit provides for grounding, it is necessary to connect it using additional wires.
Thanks to this scheme, the socket, combined with the switch in one housing, will function independently of the switch, which will perform its main functions of turning the light bulb off and on.
Circuit with switch with two keys
The following is another description of how to connect a socket with a switch in one housing. You can see photos of devices of this type in the review. Basically, blocks that combine a two-gang switch and a socket are mounted on the partitions between the doors to the toilet and the bathroom. The ability to control lighting in two rooms appears when using only one unit. At the same time, it is always possible to power any consumer of electricity from the outlet.
Single-switched socket outlet outdoor requires five conductors to be routed to an electrical coupled system from a distribution block. The neutral wire from the distribution panel, as well as the ground wire, must be connected only to the outlet. To output phase to dualswitch, special jumpers are provided in the switching blocks. Two free wires are connected to the switching contacts of the switches, through which the phase will be supplied to the appliances in the bathroom and toilet.
In junction boxes, twisting of contacts is made that feeds the phase through the switch, as well as free veins directed to light bulb holders in the toilet and bathroom. Grounding from the consumer device and neutral wires are taken in junction boxes by connecting the bare ends with twists designed to power the outlet. If it becomes necessary to change the sequence of buttons that supply power to the light bulbs in the bathroom and toilet, you just need to swap the wires on the switching contacts.
How does one method differ from another?
You can see that the connection diagram of a single and double switch, combined in a housing with a socket, differs only in the required number of contacts. For the first option, you will need four wires, as well as grounding, and the second provides for the presence of as many as five.
Conclusion
Sockets, lamps and switches are the main components of any electrical wiring in a private house, apartment, office space or garage. Therefore, every attentive and caring homeowner must understand the principle of connecting such devices after all repairs or the construction of new structures with their own hands. Double socket with switch in onecase will be very useful in solving the problems of placing devices in a small area or at the same distance from the floor.
