Scribd
Upload
43 views4 pages

Switching Circuits

Uploaded by

muyugoelijah254
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
43 views4 pages

Switching Circuits

Uploaded by

muyugoelijah254
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
You are on page 1/ 4

Switching Circuits

One-Way Switching Circuit


Figure below shows how a lamp is controlled by a simple one-way switch, providing on/off control
of the lamp. The phase conductor is connected to the one-way switch, terminal C, through a
suitably rated fuse or MCB, 6-10A. The neutral is connected directly to the lamp.
When the switch is closed the phase conductor is switched through to the lamp from terminal L1
and the 230V supply is placed across the terminals of the lamp and so the lamp is illuminated.
When the switch is opened the phase conductor is interrupted and the lamp is extinguished. This
occurs when the switch is in the “up” position.

If more than one lamp is required, the extra lamp or lamps should be connected in parallel as
shown in the figure below.
Selective switching circuits
In Figure below a one-way switch is providing simple on/off control of the supply to a selector
switch. This selector switch has two outputs. One of these outputs is used to feed lamp LP1, while
the other feeds lamp LP2.
When the one-way switch is placed in the “on” position, either LP1 or LP2 will illuminate. When
the selector switch is positioned as shown, LP1 will be “on” and LP2 will be “off”. If it is switched
to the position shown by the dotted line, LP1 will be “off” and LP2 will be “on”.
In this way, one can select which lamp is “on” and which lamp is “off”. Both lamps cannot be “on”
at the same time. This circuit was once used to provide two levels of lighting in certain
circumstances. If LP1 were a 15 Watt lamp, it would provide a very low level of illumination in,
say a child’s bedroom or a hospital ward. LP2 might, on the other hand, be a 100 Watt lamp and
provide a high level of illumination.

Two way switching circuits


Figure below shows how a lamp can be controlled from two locations providing on/off control
from either location. This circuit is used to control lamps in such places as stairways, corridors and
rooms with two doorways.
The two-way switch has two outputs, sometimes labelled L1 and L2. The third terminal is referred
to as the “Common” terminal and is marked “C”. This terminal is “common” to L1 & L2. In the
“up” position the common is connected to L2 as shown, and therefore, the lamp is “off”. If either
switch is changed to the L1 position the lamp will be “on”. If both switches are changed to the L1
position the lamp will again be “off”. If the “strappers” are crossed over at either switch, the lamp
will be “on” when both switches are in the “up” position. It is simply good practice to ensure that
this does not occur. This means that it is possible to place all switches in the “up” position and be
assured that all lamps are “off”. It also ensures safety when replacing faulty lamps or flex drops.

Two-Way and Intermediate Switching Circuit


The figure below shows how a lamp can be controlled from three locations, providing on / off
control from each of these locations. This circuit is used to control lamps in such places as
stairways with more than one landing, long corridors and rooms with more than two doorways. If
more than three switching locations are required it is simply necessary to add in extra intermediate
type switches, at these locations.
The intermediate switch has four terminals. These terminals may be labelled in different ways,
few of which are of any benefit to the installer. To complicate matters, there are two distinct
types of intermediate switch. The more common type is shown in figure (a) below. To consider
how it functions we will number the terminals as follows:
 In the “up” position terminals 1 and 2 are connected to terminals 3 and 4 respectively.
 In the “down” position terminals 1 and 2 are connected to terminals 4 and 3 respectively.
See figure (b) below.

(a) (b)
If we apply this information to the circuit above, we can see that the lamp is “off”. By operating
the intermediate switch, the lamp can be switched “on”. The two two-way switches operate as
previously described. Other makes of intermediate switch may operate the opposite way round.

You might also like