To install a light point we need a to create a simple circuit. An electrical circuit as mentioned before is just a loop that current travels through continuously non stop. To break this loop we use a switch. The continuous flow of electricity will light up any lights that has been designed to work with the specified amount of current or electrical supply. With reference to the diagram above, run 2 wires from the main switch panel. It would be advisable to use two different color coded wires to easily differentiate where the wire go. In this example we shall [...] Read more »
3 Gang Switch Wire Termination Diagram
I have explained the difference between a 3 gang switch and a 3 way switch. I have also mentioned that a 3 gang switch is actually 3 individual 1 gang switch bundled side by side so as to save space and to make multiple switches lined up on the wall look neater. As such, terminating the wire terminals in a 3 gang switch as very similar to terminating a one gang switch. Refer to the diagram above. If you look at the back portion of a 3 gang switch, you will actually see the 3 individual switches. As mentioned before, [...] Read more »
The Main Switch Panel
For this article I will only be discussing the Main Switch Panel that we see in our homes. Main Switch Panels in factories and multi storey building are very much different as there will be more safety features and other whatnots. The Main switch panel in our homes consist of three core components. The Main Switch, The Main Circuit Breaker and the individual circuit breakers. The Main Switch and the Main Circuit Breaker will not be easily distinguished by a layman with no knowledge of electricity by just looking at it. However you won’t miss it when you have a [...] Read more »
The Ceiling Fan Switch
Many people mix up the ceiling fan’s speed regulator with he ceiling fan’s switch. The fact is the ceiling fan has two items controlling it. First you have a normal switch for switching the fan ON or OFF. Then we have a speed regulator to regulate the fan’s speed. Each is an individual item though they are inter dependant on each other to make the fan run smoothly. The fact that I said both are individual items is because the fan will still be able to run with any one of them. We can forgo the switch and have the [...] Read more »
2 Way Switch Wiring Diagram
As mentioned in my previous article, a two way switch have to work in pairs. Above is a simple schematic diagram of how the wiring for a two way switch should be installed. Also check out this New 2 Way Switch Wiring Installation Video As mentioned, a two way switch has three terminals, as seen in the diagram, S1 and S2 represents the two switches. In S1 you will notice that the live wire goes to a and then connected to c in the switch. In this case, the b terminal and the c terminal are the common terminals connected [...] Read more »
Float Switch, Level Switch
To keep the level of water or any form of liquid constant in storage tanks, a float switch or a level switch is used. It is a very crucial switch. If and when the switch malfunctions, the whole town could be out of water or the whole production line can go down. So constant checks and maintenance are usually called for. First let’s describe the float switch. The float switch naturally come with a float. This float has a switch attached to it in such a way that when water is low, the float will slant to one side, closing [...] Read more »
Thermal Switch, Temperature Switch or Thermostat.
We use a thermal switch everyday. The thermal switch is also referred to as a temperature switch or a thermostat. It is used to control temperature. It is used by us everyday in our kettles when we boil our water, in our cooker when we are cooking something, in our hotplates when we are frying something and of course in our refrigerators. The thermal switch or temperature switch utilizes a tungsten strip that is very sensitive to heat. This piece of metal is calibrated to stand various degree of heat. All the user had to do is to set the [...] Read more »
The Generator Transfer Switch
Found in industries that depends totally on electricity to run their business, many manufacturing concerns have a standby generator ready in case there is a blackout so they will not suffer any losses due to the blackouts. In order to keep the factory running smoothly without any downtime, the generator must be hooked to the main supplies coming from the electrical authorities so in cases of emergencies, power can be transferred smoothly from the generator to the usual electrical system with any danger of clashes between the supplies coming from the authorities with the supply coming from the generators. This [...] Read more »