Installation switch

Do you still need suitable switches to switch your lighting circuits? These should be of high quality, cheap and usable for different requirements? Then you've come to the right place in this eibabo® catalogue. We light up the darkness. Here you will find information about the different switch types, the areas of application and their special features with regard to the installation.

What are installation switches?

In electrical engineering, an installation switch is a component that disconnects or connects a circuit as part of a switching process or diverts it from one electrical conductor to another. An installation switch is typically constructed electromechanically and consists of one or more movable, current-conducting contact pairs. If a contact pair touches, the current can flow. If the contacts are separated, no current flows. The devices are differentiated according to their technical design, their switching type and their operation.

Connection of the electrical conductors:

Here in the shop you will find high-quality switches with screw connection terminals or plug-in terminals as well as installation switches for rigid or flexible electrical conductors.

Types of switching are, for example, off switches and changeover switches, series switches, cross switches, multiple switches or group switches. If you look at the operation, then there are, for example, rocker switches, toggle switches, rotary switches, step switches, pushbutton switches, pull switches and switches that work with radio or cards.

Where are installation switches used?

In the low-voltage network, installation switches are mainly used to switch lighting circuits. The installation switches are available either as variants for surface-mounted installation, duct installation, switch panel installation or flush-mounted installation. For flush-mounted variants, there are suitable switch boxes for solid walls and lightweight walls.

Which installation switch should I buy?

Choosing the right installation switch depends on various factors. These include:

What should be switched (light, blinds and so on)?
How should the circuit be set up? Which switching conditions are desired?
How should the switch be operated (remote control, time switch and so on)?
Is the switch exposed to special conditions (humidity, temperature fluctuations)?
and some more

Below we give you a brief overview of the various switches and circuits. This should help you to be able to select the best switch for your application.

How do the individual circuit types differ?

At eibabo® we carry installation switches from the switch ranges of all well-known manufacturers. The installation switches are mostly offered as hand-operated switches for a fixed installation. Many technical differences lead to numerous possible applications and a wide selection. Using the example of switching lighting circuits, we distinguish:

ON/OFF switch

This is the simplest of the switching types mentioned. Here, a lighting circuit is opened or closed via a switch. They switch one lamp or several lamps connected in series.

toggle switch

The toggle switch works similar to the ON/OFF switch. The difference is that you can switch the light from two switching points. Each changeover switch has three terminals and the two switching points are connected to one another by two conductors. With each of the two switches you can connect to one or the other line. The opening or closing of the circuit thus takes place independently of the other changeover switch. Depending on the switch position, the current either flows through one of the two conductors or not at all. This type of switch is used, for example, in long corridors or between two floors.

security at night

Many installation switches can be selected with or without a glow control lamp. Variants with orientation light or switch lighting are often possible.

cross switch

The cross switch can be seen as an extension of the toggle switch. With the cross switch you can switch the light from more than two switching points. A cross switch is therefore equipped with four connections. In principle, the number of possible cross switches in the lighting circuit is not limited, but the wiring becomes more complex with each switch. As soon as more than three or four switching points are desired, the circuit is better made with a latching switch and buttons.

series switch

A series switch consists of more than just a rocker switch. With such double switches or multiple switches, you can switch the corresponding number of lighting circuits separately via one control element (e.g. the ceiling lighting and the ambient lighting in the living room).

group switch

The group switch works similar to the series switch. This also switches more than one circuit - but according to the either-or principle. In other words, either one lamp or the other lamp lights up. Both circuits can therefore never be switched on at the same time.

Installation switch with special equipment

Special versions of switches are suitable for all requirements that you place on your project or want to implement. At eibabo® you can choose from a large selection of high-quality installation switches for different purposes:

Button for the installation remote control
electronic switches
remote control switches
Switches in combination with dimmers and time switches
and so forth

Source: eibabo®, Jung 507 U cross rocker switch Image: Jung 507 U cross rocker switch

What do the symbols on the installation switches mean?

If you look at the front and back of installation switches, you will notice a number of symbols. Some are used to display the current switching status, others provide information on correct installation. Often encountered are:

~ - the wavy line (tilde) represents alternating current
N - the capital N denotes the neutral conductor
L - the capital L stands for the outer conductor
0 / O - the zero / the big O describe the off position
1 / I - the one / the capital I symbolize the on position / ON position
↑ / ↓ - Arrows in the direction of the connector represent inputs, opposite arrows are outputs
K - stands for a 'corresponding' connection (to another toggle switch)
NF - is the abbreviation for low frequency

Depending on the manufacturer, the circuit diagram of the device as well as safety instructions such as the GS symbol or the ÖVE symbol can be shown on the back.

What type of protection should I choose for my installation switch?

The area of application of an installation switch is also determined by its IP protection class (ingress protection). This indicates how well the device is protected from foreign objects and moisture. Most indoor switches do not have a particularly high level of protection. You will often find the designation 'IP20' on the device. If you are looking for an installation switch for damp rooms or outdoors, please make sure that the device is suitable for the respective location. You can usually find this information in the product description.