Switches are available in many different colors. The most popular color today for electrical devices and controls is white. Many years ago, the popular color was ivory. Original lighting controls of years gone by where black or brown. All of these colors are available today including almond and red. Selecting the proper light switch is easy with a little know-how from a Manchester, NH handyman.
There are different types of switches for different needs.
Various switches are available to accomodate special needs. Â
Dimmer Switch Dimmers create the desired lighting level and ambiance within a room. Dimmers also help to conserve energy and reduce energy costs. Dimmers are typically rated for 600W. That is enough to handle six 100 watt lights on a single dimmer. If there are more lights controlled by a dimmer, it needs to have a higher capacity, a 1000W or 1500W dimmer switch. Also, many older style dimmers switches are fine with incandescent lights, but will not work with newer CFL, LED and low voltage lights.Â
Timer Switch Timer switches provide timed ON/OFF control of indoor and outdoor lights. Programmable timer switches can be programmed with multiple ON/OFF points throughout the day and night. Preset timer switches provide an ON for the preset amount of time with just the touch of a button. The preset timer automatically turns OFF when the preset time has expired. Time can range from minutes to hours. Â
Occupancy Sensor Occupancy sensors provide automatic ON switching of indoor and outdoor lights when motion is detected, and OFF when the room is vacant and no motion is detected. Vacancy sensors are manually turned ON, but will automatically turn OFF when the room is vacant and motion is no longer detected. Â
Switches and Cover Plates When replacing switches, it might be convenient or necessary to change the cover plate. A cover plate for a traditional toggle switch has a small 1/2 inch wide by 1 inch high hole for the toggle switch. A modern rocker switch cover plate has a much larger 1 inch wide by 2-1/2 inch high hole for the rocker switch. A single switch in an electrical switch box is referred to as a single gang or 1 gang. When two switches are side-by-side, it is called a 2 gang. When three switches are grouped together, it is a 3 gang, and so on. Cover plates are available in colored plastic, as well as various metals and woods.
There are different types of switches for different needs.
- Single pole: ON/OFF from a single location. This is the most common switch.
- Three-way: ON/OFF from two locations. Typical example is having one switch at the top and one switch at the bottom of a stairway for a light.
- Four-way: ON/OFF from three or more locations. Using a combination of three-way and four-way switches, a light can be controlled from many locations.
Various switches are available to accomodate special needs. Â
Dimmer Switch Dimmers create the desired lighting level and ambiance within a room. Dimmers also help to conserve energy and reduce energy costs. Dimmers are typically rated for 600W. That is enough to handle six 100 watt lights on a single dimmer. If there are more lights controlled by a dimmer, it needs to have a higher capacity, a 1000W or 1500W dimmer switch. Also, many older style dimmers switches are fine with incandescent lights, but will not work with newer CFL, LED and low voltage lights.Â
Timer Switch Timer switches provide timed ON/OFF control of indoor and outdoor lights. Programmable timer switches can be programmed with multiple ON/OFF points throughout the day and night. Preset timer switches provide an ON for the preset amount of time with just the touch of a button. The preset timer automatically turns OFF when the preset time has expired. Time can range from minutes to hours. Â
Occupancy Sensor Occupancy sensors provide automatic ON switching of indoor and outdoor lights when motion is detected, and OFF when the room is vacant and no motion is detected. Vacancy sensors are manually turned ON, but will automatically turn OFF when the room is vacant and motion is no longer detected. Â
Switches and Cover Plates When replacing switches, it might be convenient or necessary to change the cover plate. A cover plate for a traditional toggle switch has a small 1/2 inch wide by 1 inch high hole for the toggle switch. A modern rocker switch cover plate has a much larger 1 inch wide by 2-1/2 inch high hole for the rocker switch. A single switch in an electrical switch box is referred to as a single gang or 1 gang. When two switches are side-by-side, it is called a 2 gang. When three switches are grouped together, it is a 3 gang, and so on. Cover plates are available in colored plastic, as well as various metals and woods.
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