Everyone has come across a situation where it is necessary to turn on the lights in a completely dark room. Even if the location of the switch is known, it can be very difficult to cope with the task. And in unfamiliar surroundings, the search can take a long time. Using a backlit switch can help avoid situations like this.
Description
When entering an unlit room, everyone intuitively tries to find the switch to turn on the light. Such a procedure is often accompanied by falling objects. The most unpleasant moment is a brown coating, which remains on the wallpaper around the switch and along the entire "path" to it. It is almost impossible to wash off these traces without damaging the wall covering. A backlit switch will help to avoid damage to the interior and nerves.
What is the difference between such a device and a conventional lighting device? The main feature is only the presence of a special indicator light, which allows you toimmediately find the location of the desired object. In appearance, the device has no differences from the usual switches. A significant advantage of such a device is the use of an LED light bulb as an indicator, which saves energy consumption.
Varieties
The modern market offers many different types of devices equipped with a light beacon. This allows each buyer to choose the most suitable version of the device. Switches differ not only in external data, but also in design features. In the electrical store you can find the following types of appliances:
- keyboard models - easy to install and affordable;
- walk-through switches - allow you to activate one of the two lamps connected to them (used to illuminate long corridors and large rooms);
- push-button switch - instead of keys, such a device has buttons of various shapes.
All listed types of switches can be either with or without a backlight indicator. One-, two- and three-key models are popular.
Working principle
Before you connect the backlit switch, you need to understand how the device works. As already found out, such a device differs from a conventional switch in one detail - the presence of an indicator. This function can be performed by LED or neon bulbs. The scheme of such an apparatus provides for a break in the phase wire. When backlit, the diode lamp simply connectswire in off position.
Why does the main lighting not turn on when the indicator is on? The answer to this question is quite simple. The device system provides for the presence of a resistor having current-limiting properties. The resistance of the lamp filament is much less (almost zero) than that of the indicator, so the operating voltage is supplied to the backlight of the switch with a resistor connected in series. This causes the indicator to glow. If there is no light bulb in the backlight circuit or it is inoperative, the indicator will also not be able to glow due to a broken power circuit.
Connection
Installing a light switch is a fairly simple task.
The whole process will take no more than half an hour if the following recommendations are followed:
- First of all, you need to turn off the power supply at the switchboard. You can de-energize only the room in which the installation will take place, or the entire room.
- Removing an obsolete device. To do this, first remove the keys, and then the frame itself. At the end, we unscrew the fasteners of the device and pull out the internal elements.
- Slightly loosen the fasteners of the contacts and release the device.
- There should be a wiring diagram on the back of the new illuminated switch, following which we will install it. Installation is carried out according to the same principle as dismantling, only in reverse order.
- Last step -device and backlight testing. To do this, just turn on the switch.
Which lamps are suitable for light switches?
How to connect a backlit switch so that there are no problems during operation? First of all, you should find out which lamps such electrical accessories are compatible with.
Many people note that when using switches with an indicator and energy-saving lamps, problems arise due to their incompatibility. The reason lies in the design of the lamps themselves. To charge the capacitor of an energy-saving lamp, even a slight voltage that passes through the diode is sufficient. This will activate the starter and turn on the lights.
The start of the switching mechanism is repeated many times, resulting in flickering. Incorrect use of the lighting device will negatively affect the duration of its service.
Looking for a way out of the situation
How to connect a backlit switch in combination with an energy-saving lamp? Experts recommend in this case to install an additional resistor. The small current that charged the rectifier capacitor (with the lights off) will flow through the 2W shunt resistor.
Also available are LED lamps that are compatible with indicator lights in switches. They already have a shunt resistor built in, or a soft start. Such a device does not flicker when dischargingcapacitor, but turn on within a few seconds.
Legrand Illuminated Switches
A switch is an indispensable element of the electrical network, which must be reliable and of high quality. The devices of the French company Legrand are considered one of the best. The manufacturer makes the base of the device from galvanized steel for better mounting the switch to the wall. During operation, such a base is not deformed.
The double illuminated switches of the Valena series from the French manufacturer are the most popular. They have a simple connection scheme and can be used in rooms with high humidity. The company offers electrical fittings in series such as Etika, Soliroc, Celiane, Cariva, Galea Life, Kaptika.
Viko switches
The Turkish company Viko offers high-quality electrical accessories and is one of the largest suppliers of such products. Viko's illuminated switches from the Carmen series have sleek, sleek shapes and are made of cream or white plastic. A light touch is enough to activate the structure.
The switches have a red indicator light, which is appreciated by consumers. For indoor installation, devices from the Karre series are also suitable, having one or two keys, a dimmer (dimmer).
