Lights are the perfect devices to illuminate your space. Do you know what is more noticeable than the light fixtures? It is the lighting switches.
While we strive to have the best lighting system, installing equally attractive switches is essential.
There are different types of switches available in the market. Choosing the right one that matches your interior decor can elevate the appeal of your room.
Here we are with this article that will provide you with all the information related to types of light switches.
By the end of this write-up, you will be able to narrow down your choice. We will help you invest wisely in those switches that will add the perfect touch to your home.
Let us dive into the discussion.
You will find a wide array of light switches in the market. However, most of us might be familiar with only some of these. To help you gain a better understanding, below is a list of all the different types and their features. We will learn how they will enhance the decorative scheme of your home. Toggle switches are the oldest types of switches available even today. Most of us are familiar with these, and toggle switches are the ones that strike our minds when we think about switches. The toggle switches come with a small handle that sticks out of the switch box. All you need to do is flick it up to switch on the light and then flick it back down to turn off the light. The toggle switches are available in two styles – single-pole toggle switch and double pole toggle switch. The advanced toggle switches come with special features like the capability to interface with your smartphone, integration with Alexa, timer setup, etc. A toggle switch is very simple to use. These light switches are easy to install. The toggle switches are inexpensive, simple, and efficient. The standard toggle light switches are ideal for homes and residential areas. Dimmer switches are those that allow the users to dim the lights effectively. The dimmer light switches feature a rounded knob or a dial for controlling the light intensity. All it requires is raising or lowering the dial accordingly to adjust the degree of lighting. The dimmer light switches give users the flexibility to control the lighting intensity in the room. These switches come in different varieties like touch switches (sensor pad), handy remote control, sliders, rotatable dials, etc. They help you adjust the brightness in the room as per your desired level. A dimmer light switch is very simple to use. These switches are easy to install. However, it needs appropriate circuitry. Moreover, you need to pair them with those light fixtures or bulbs that are capable of dimmable options. The dimmer light switches are expensive than the normal switches. Moreover, they also have high installation costs. Because of the controlled lighting feature, the dimmer light switches are ideal for homes and other places like meetings rooms, spas, restaurants, etc. The push button light switches are the most common switches that most of us have at our homes. They are very simple switches that work excellently in every home. These switches mostly feature push buttons to turn on the light. Some models come in such a way that when you press the switch, they will stay in the same position. It means the switch returns to its default position after you press it. The other model in these switches is the one that remains pushed down after you press it. You need to press the switch again to let it get back to its normal position. It is up to the personal preference of the user to choose which type of push button switch he wants to have. The push button light switches come in many variations like momentary, latching, electric, pneumatic, etc. The push button switches are very simple and easy to use. These switches are easy to install and replace. The push button light switches are cost-effective. Because of their ease of use and attractive appearance, the push light switches are ideal for homes and residential areas. Proximity light switches are energy-efficient switches. These switches feature motion detectors or sensors that detect the movement within its field of view. When they detect the presence of people, they automatically switch on the light in the room. They will further switch off the lights automatically after the people leave the room. The most significant feature of proximity light switches is that it turns on and off the switches automatically by motion detection. If you are someone who forgets to switch off the lights, these can be of great convenience. They help in energy conservation and save money on your electricity bills. These switches are not manually operated. They sense your presence and switch on or off lights accordingly. These switches are easy to install just like any other switch. The proximity light switches are a little expensive. The proximity switch lights are ideal for homes, especially to illuminate dark halls, decks, garages, etc. Selector light switches allow you to select between multiple lighting modes easily. These switches typically come in the form of a rotary switch. They feature a rotary dial that helps you to switch between the different lights quickly. These switches even come in different variants like the multiple push buttons and ones that are similar to toggle switches. The selector light switches with rotary dial are simple to use. These switches are easy to install just like any other switch. The selector light switches are cost-effective. The selector light switches are ideal for home and residential areas. You can also use them for industrial or commercial applications. The photoelectric light switches are those that are similar to the proximity sensor switches. These lights feature sensors to detect photo-optical workpieces. The sensors detect objects, items, and changes in surface conditions to measure the light falling on them. They do it through a variety of optical properties. The photoelectric light switches come with a wide range of features like long sensing distance, virtually no object sensing restrictions, non-contact sensing, quick response time, colour identification, etc. The photoelectric light switches are not manually operated. These switches are easy to install and replace. The photoelectric light switches are a little expensive. The photoelectric switches are ideal for the outdoors, especially for street lights. You can also use them in your backyards, or other outdoor areas of your property. As the name says, these switches operate by motion sensors. They turn or off the lights automatically when the sensors detect any movement or motion. The motion-activated light switches come with sensors that detect the movement or body heat in the room. Accordingly, they turn on the lights when a person enters and turn them off once he exits the room. The motion-activated light switches include a wide range of features of functions like daylight sensing, dimming, motion sensitivity, and smart technology. These motion-activated switches are not manually operated. They sense your motion and switch on or off lights, accordingly. Wiring and installing motion-activated switches is easy. You can easily replace them with standard switches. These light switches are cost-effective. The motion-activated switches are ideal for homes, yards, and porches, especially for security purposes. You can also install them in your garage or basement. As the name suggests, these switches activate upon detecting the sounds. The sound-activated light switches feature sensors that detect the sound when you clap with your hand and turn on or off the lights, accordingly. Apart from clapping with your hands, you can also control these switches using snaps pr knocks. These sound-activated light switches are easy and convenient to use. Wiring and installing sound-activated switches is easy. You can easily replace them with standard switches. These light switches are expensive than the standard switches. The sound-activated switches are ideal for bedrooms. You can control the light from your bed without having to get up or walking to the switchboard. As the name suggests, the multi-location switches allow you to control fixtures from multiple locations. The multi-location switches contain multiple switches installed in different locations to control the same light. The multi-location switches come in several variants, like three-way switches and four-way switches. These multi-location light switches are easy and convenient to use. The multi-location light switches are very complicated to install. These light switches are expensive than the standard switches. The multi-location light switches are ideal for installing in large rooms, hallways, and stairways. The smart light switches allow you to control the light from the comfort of your couch using your smartphones or other smart devices. These switches are Wi-Fi-compatible switches that are highly customizable. You can turn them on or off manually or control them via an app on your smart devices or a smart speaker. Replacing the conventional bulbs with smart bulbs or lights and installing smart light switches can help you modernize your home. Using one smart light switch, you can control several lights in your home. Moreover, you can use them with any lighting and sockets. These smart light switches are available in a ton of options. They include a wide range of features like integrating with your smartphones, tabs and pairing with Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant. Some even come with remote-control features. They also offer pre-set lighting settings or help you create custom schedules to turn on and off the lights. They are easy and convenient to use. You do not have to get up from your seat to activate these lights. The smart light switches take more time and effort to install. The smart light switches are expensive than the standard switches and also the smart bulbs. However, they provide value for the money. The smart light switches are ideal for home and residential areas. You can also use them as a security function on your property. As the name says, a single-pole switch operates one circuit. It is the most common switch available in many homes. The single-pole switch features a toggle switch with on or off markings on it that denote whether the power is flowing or not. It helps you control a light fixture from a single location. The single-pole switch usually has a single input and single output. It consists of two wires connected or separated by a switch. It usually comes with two brass-coloured screw terminals. Each terminal has a dedicated connection to the incoming hot wire (coming from the power source) and outgoing hot wire (fixture), respectively. Most models from the single-pole switches include a ground terminal to connect to the ground wire of the power circuit. This ground wire helps in protecting against faults. The single-pole switches are available in various styles like toggle and rocker-style switches. The single-pole switches are easy and convenient to use. The single-pole light switches are easier to install and replace. These light switches are cost-effective. The single-pole light switches are ideal for home and residential areas. You can also use them for industrial or specific applications. As the name suggests, a double-pole switch controls two circuits. It is almost like having two single-pole switches but controlled by the same switch. The double-pole switch features two switches linked together. That said, you can control two fixtures without having a separate box. Also known as a four-way switch, it usually comes with four brass-coloured screw terminals and a ground terminal. Double pole switches are available in different types, namely double pole single throw and double pole double throw. The wires feeding electricity to double-pole switches are larger than those of the single-pole switches. You can use the double-pole switches to control 240V. They are best for heavy loads like refrigerators, showers, etc. The double-pole switches are easy and convenient to operate. The double-pole light switches are easier to install and replace. These light switches are a little expensive than the standard switches. The double-pole light switches are ideal for industrial and commercial applications. However, you can also find them in home wiring systems. The three-way light switches are similar to the single-pole switches that allow you to control a light fixture from two locations. These switches have three terminals, wherein one is a common terminal, and the other two are interchangeable ones. The three-way switches control a single appliance from two locations. They feature a toggle switch without on or off markings on it. However, it has the markings inside the switch that denote whether the power is flowing or not. The three-way switch setup works well with a dimmer switch. These three-way light switches are easy and convenient to use. The three-way light switches are very complicated to install. These light switches are expensive than the standard switches. The three-way switches are ideal for use in staircases, large hallways, basements, and other large rooms. The pole receptacle combo switches are those that combine two functions. These switches combine a power outlet and the switch without the need for any extra switch box. The significance of these models is that you do not require a rewire or need not install an additional switch box for the power outlet. Combination switches come with a wide range of features and functionalities like remote control, switch and dimmer, fan and light controls, etc. These combination switches are easy and convenient to operate. The pole receptacle combo switches are very easy to install. These light switches are expensive than the standard switches. The pole receptacle combo switches are ideal for installing in kitchens and bathrooms. Rocker switches also called decorative switches in the US, are special light switches. These are flat switches occupying a larger surface area on the switch board. Unlike toggle switches, they do not stick out from the wall snagging on clothes. Although they function similarly to the toggle switches, they are more appealing than the latter. Moreover, the rocker switches are wider and flatter than their toggle counterparts. These decorative light switches come in various styles like rock, turn or slide. They are easy for kids, too. A rocker switch is very simple and easy to use. They require less pressure to operate. The decorative switches are easy to install. The decorative switches are a little expensive than the standard switches. Ideal For The decorative light switches are ideal for homes and residential areas. As the name says, the touch-plate switches are those types of switches, which you can operate by touching the switch plate. These are electronic switches and do not have any moving parts like a toggle or rocker switch. Since they do not contain any snapping parts to control the lights, they are also known as quiet switches. You just have to touch the switch pad to turn on or off the light. These touch-plate light switches come in various styles, colours, and finishes. A touch-plate switch is very simple and easy to use. All you need to do is touch the touch plate of the switch with one or two fingers. These switches are easy to install. The touch-plate switches are very expensive when compared to other switch types. The touch-plate light switches are ideal for homes and residential areas. We don’t recommend using a single pole light switch in a three-way option. But if you still want to use it, the functionality of it will be similar as a single pole switch. make sure the 3-way switch is facing in proper upward direction. This represents that 3-way will be in the down position when it is off. 15 amp light switch of a standard single pole is rated for 1800 Watts of power. Also, you can get a 20 amp light switch which allows for more wattage. You should not surpass 1500 watts of lightning on a single pole light switch. Yes, these smart switches will work through your phone command. You just need to download the app on your smartphone and you are ready to control all of your smart home devices with just a click. You can also manage your doorbells, wall switches, cameras and many more electronic appliances with its use. So, in case you went to office and you forgot to lock your doors or switch off the lights, you can easily do it from your phone, no matter where you are. No, they are not. As per the new code, every wired switch comes in a neutral option which lets you add a smart switch option which is usually neutral. Most of the traditional wiring provides power when the light switch is down. You can check out the positioning after removing the light switch. You can observe black and white wiring behind the switch. I hope this article provided you with all the information related to light switches and their different types. As earlier said, having the most appealing light switches can complement your interior décor. Since these are noticeable, too, choosing the right switch type will help you modernize your home. If you are looking to upgrade your lighting system, consider upgrading the switch set up, as well. In the end, it is the light fixtures and the light switches that make a perfect combo! Let us know in the comments section below if you find this article helpful and insightful. Please feel free to write to us know if you have any questions or need more information on the same. We would try our best to answer all your queries at the earliest. If required, we would even come up with a new article containing all the necessary information to clear your doubts and confusion. Your feedback is very important to us. Do not hesitate to let us know if we missed out on any points or if you have any inputs to add. We would love to hear and learn from you. Stay healthy and stay safe!!!Types of Light Switches
1. Toggle Switch
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2. Dimmer Light Switch
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3. Push Button Light Switch
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4. Proximity Light Switch
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5. Selector Light Switch
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6. Photoelectric Light Switch
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7. Motion-Activated Light Switches
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8. Sound-Activated Light Switch
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9. Multi-Location Switches
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10. Smart Light Switches
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11. Single-Pole Switch
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12. Double-Pole Switch
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13. Three-Way Switch
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14. Pole Receptacle Combo Switch
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15. Decorative or Rocker Switch
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16. Touch-Plate Switch
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Frequently Asked Questions:
This equalizes to 80% of the circuit load. If you need a huge load or multiple circuits then a lightning relay should be used. It is used to power multiple circuits straight from your power source with a signal from the light switch. Such type of light switch is used in large commercial premises or buildings where several lights are required to turn on at the same time.Conclusion
