4.

Switches, socket outlets and circuits

4.1 Installation Circuits and Systems

There are many references to diagrams/drawings and these may be categorized as follows:

 Block diagrams: this show, using squares, rectangles etc., the sequence of a
system without too much technical detail.

 Layout diagrams : These are very similar to block diagrams, but they indicate more technical
detail and tend to show items in their correct geographical location

 Circuit/schematic: These show how a circuit functions and takes no account of exact locations
of terminals or equipment (e.g. Figs 15.28).
o A circuit diagram shows how the system functions, and relay contacts, switches, and
accessories are shown on a diagram in a position most convenient for drawing and
understanding.

 Wiring diagrams: These indicate how a circuit or system is physically wired

o A wiring diagram shows how the system is to be wired, and all components of the circuit
should be shown in their correct places

4.1.2 4.1.1 LIGHTING LAYOUTS

There are two main methods of wiring a lighting installation:

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1. Each ceiling rose or junction box is fed from the previous one in the form of a chain.
2. The main feed is brought into a central junction box and each point is fed from it (like the
spokes of a wheel).

 There are of course variations involving combinations of these two methods depending
on the shape and size of the installation.

4.1.3 LIGHTING CIRCUITS

4.2 Lighting Circuits - Types of Switch

o There are three basic types of switch used for lighting circuits.

4.2.1 One way switch

 A one-way switch contains two terminals. When the switch is on, both terminals are
connected together.

 Typically, these terminals will be marked COM and L1, or sometimes L1 and L2. Either way, it
does not matter which wire is connected where. Usually the permanent live (from the
supply) is connected to COM and the switched live (to the lamp) is connected to L1.

 This is the most common type of switch, and is used where a light is controlled from a single
switch.

4.2.2 Two way switch

 An extension of the one way switch, this has three terminals. In one position, COM and L1
are connected just as in the one way switch. In the other position, COM and L2 are
connected.

 Note that L1 and L2 are never connected together.

 Again, some makes of switch may have alternative markings such as L1 L2 and L3.

 This type of switch is used where two switches control one light, such as at the top and
bottom of a stairway.

 It can also be used as a one way switch, by using the COM and L1 terminals only.

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 4.2.3 Intermediate switch

 This is used where three or more switches control one light. It is uncommon. There are four
terminals, usually L1, L1 and L2, L2. In one position, L1 and L2 are connected in pairs. In the
other position, alternate pairs are connected.

 This can also be considered as two two-way switches combined.

 In most domestic situations, this type of switch is not required or used. It can be used as a
one or two way switch, but this is pointless as they usually cost much more than the one or
two way types.

The diagrams show various methods of one, two and multiple way switching. L and N indicate the
supply. Earth wires are shown in doted lines.

 Lighting Circuits - Switch Arrangements

The three types of switch can be arranged in groups.

 One gang'

Gang' refers to the number of switches on a single mounting plate.

 Two gang

The examples here show three possible arrangements. All of these are two way switches.

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  Where two switches are mounted on the same plate, this is a two gang switch. There is no
electrical connection between the two switches.

The diagrams here are all one gang, as there is one switch on each plate. The switches themselves are
one way, two way and intermediate.

4.3 One-way switching

 Lamp control is from a single position
Figure 15.1 is a circuit diagram showing how the light or lights are controlled, while
Fig. 15.2 shows how the point would be wired in practice.

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4.4 Two-way switching
 A typical application is for stairway lighting

 Using the 2 way system, there are four possible combinations of switch positions: two with the
light on and two with the light off.

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4.5 Two-way and intermediate switching

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 The circuit diagram for two-way and intermediate switching is shown in Fig. 15.5

 Using the intermediate system, there are eight possible combinations of switch positions: four
with the light on and four with the light off.

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