A Switch Socket is also normally called a plug which is not a very proper term. Switch Sockets are also switches, only this time, it needs to be plugged into something like the fridge or TV sets in our homes. There are easily distinguished by their look. While a switch has buttons, switch sockets has outlets that allows electrical gadgets to be plugged into them.
Some switch sockets comes with 3 outlets while some comes in two. The ones with 3 outlets has an “earth” terminal and these are commonly used for machines or gadgets that has metal casings that might be harmful when there is an electrical leakage in that gadget. It is international standard practise to place the “earth” terminal at the top outlet. The lower right outlet is the “Live” terminal and the lower left outlet is the “Neutral” terminal.
On many Switch Sockets you will also find a switch on the right corner. This is to facilitate the user so they can switch on or switch off the gadgets at will without having to dislocate of pull out the plugs for that gadget. There are also some that does not come with these switches, especially in countries that uses lower voltage supply.
Replacing a switch socket is much simpler than replacing a switch. There will be only three terminals, some two, and they are pretty straightforward. Like all switches, terminals are indicated by some signs or letters. In the case of a simple switch socket, the “Live” terminal will be indicated by “L” the neutral terminal by “N” and the Earth terminal by “E”.
Differentiating the wires are also made easy by the color codes. If followed accordingly, the live wires will either be red, yellow or blue. The neutral wire is always black while the earth wire is always green. It may differ in some countries so the safest way is always to memorise which wire goes where when you are dismantling the switch socket.
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