How to disassemble the switch. Detailed instructions on how to change the switch

When facing repair work in the apartment there is a need to dismantle the switch from the wall. This is due to the fact that paint the walls and paste wallpaper in the apartment, without removing switches possible, but not accurate. Also, if it is necessary to replace the switch with another model, it may turn out that the frame of the new one is somewhat smaller, and then a bare wall edging will be formed around it.

Preparation for dismantling the circuit breaker.

In order to remove the switch from the wall before installing the wallpaper, you do not need to call a qualified electrician, you can do it yourself. But before proceeding with the dismantling, the apartment should be de-energized, especially if there is no experience in handling electricity. In order to de-energize the apartment, it should be on the panel where the electric meter is located, turn off the machine or unscrew the plug.

For work you will need:

flashlight, Phillips screwdriver, thin flat screwdriver

Screwdrivers must be with plastic or rubber handles.

Important: Even with the most minor work with electricity, it is necessary that the hands are completely dry.

Step-by-step removal of the switch from the wall

First, it is worth determining which part of the switch is removed first. Depending on the design, most often these are buttons, less often the frame is removed first. If the switch buttons are not tightly closed in the frame, then they are removed initially. Pinch the buttons on either side with your fingers and gently pull them on yourself, on some models, it is necessary to clamp not on the sides, but on top and bottom.

If it seemed that the buttons give in, but do not come out of the grooves, you must use a thin flat screwdriver. Insert a screwdriver into the gap between the frame and the buttons and pull them towards you with slow, light movements.

If the buttons are covered by the frame itself, then it can also be removed with a screwdriver. And after that they remove the buttons, following the example above.

Next, consider the frame fasteners. With conventional plastic holders, the frame is removed by lightly pulling with a screwdriver. Sometimes the frame is attached to small bolts, to remove them you need a Phillips screwdriver.

Having removed the frame, it remains to remove the switch housing itself from the wall. Usually, there are two to four bolts on the metal part of the case, which should be removed. After removing the case, it remains only to disconnect the wires themselves.

Important: in some models, the body is mounted on sharp spacers. They must be removed very carefully, as they can severely damage the plaster. To extract this type of fastener, the paws are pressed inward, towards each other.

Disconnection of wires from the body is carried out by unscrewing the fixing bolts from the switch body. Next, the wires are carefully removed from the case. The wire must be taken out very carefully, especially in apartments with old wiring, so as not to damage it.

After completing the process of removing the switch, the wires should be insulated with simple electrical tape. The wires must not touch each other.

If it is necessary to remove the switch before mounting or removing the wallpaper without subsequent replacement, you can limit yourself to removing the buttons and the frame.

Important: you should not make large wallpaper overlaps on the switch opening, they should be cut with a paint knife, this is required by safety regulations.

Surely everyone has dealt with repairs at least once, and he knows that such a joyful process at the end causes so much trouble. It also happens that even minor tasks can put you in a stupor. Today we will talk about one of these tasks, namely how to disassemble the light switch. Due to regular use, the switch device very often fails, thereby creating inconvenience and trouble.

The process of disassembling modern switches is approximately the same, since there are no special differences between their structure. Quite often, the switches break due to the poor quality of the mechanism, the parts begin to melt either at high load current, or due to poor contact, the plastic turns yellow or the appearance deteriorates over time. We will consider the most common options for switches and describe step by step the instructions for parsing them.

Step 1. Preparatory work

First, you need to prepare a tool, namely an indicator screwdriver, otherwise, or a voltmeter. Just remember that when measuring voltage, one end of the device gets on the phase wire (contact in the switch), and the other end must be connected to the neutral wire or. They are not in the switch, you need to find it either in or in, i.e. in the other place. This makes it more convenient to use. Before that, it is necessary to turn off the electricity in the house in order to make the process safe. To de-energize the apartment, you need to find the circuit breakers in and turn them off - move the lever from the ON position to the OFF position. If there are several such switches, no matter what to make a mistake, turn off everything, for your own safety. If the plugs are of the old type, then you just need to turn them off by pressing the button. Then, using an indicator screwdriver, check if there is voltage in the wiring of the switch.

Step 2: Removing the switch key

The second step is to disassemble the switch itself. The switches can be removed in two ways:

1. Pull out by hand;

To pull out the switch key with your hand, you must firmly grasp it by the protruding edge and pull it towards you. With a little effort. The key should give in and pop out.

If the key does not lend itself, then you can gently pry it with a screwdriver. To begin, take the protruding edge of the key and pry it off with a screwdriver on one side. It is important to remember that this must be done carefully, otherwise there is a possibility of damaging the switch.

If the switch has two keys, then you need to do all of the above with each of the keys in turn. In case you have to reassemble the circuit breaker without replacing it with a new one, put all the parts on separate place, so as not to lose them and not to make a mistake.

Step 3: Removing the switch bezel

After removing the keys, you need to remove the switch frame. Often, there are switches with a solid frame that are attached to the mechanism using small screws or self-tapping screws. Take them apart with a screwdriver.

Also, there are switches with a built-in mount. This system is installed in special grooves, and it can be removed by gently pulling towards you. In some cases, it is necessary to pry with a screwdriver.

The third type of switches is a design where the frame is attached to the mechanism using metal fasteners. In this case, if it is not possible to immediately remove the fasteners, then when disassembling such a frame, it is first better to remove the entire structure and then remove the fasteners that hold the frame in the mechanism.

Step 4. Removing the switch mechanism from the socket

After removing the frame, the stage of detaching the mechanism from . To do this, you need to unscrew the screws located on the sides that hold the mechanism in the socket with a screwdriver.

Some mechanisms are mounted on "struts". Legs are installed on the sides of them, which, when the screw is tightened, disperse to the sides, thereby securing the mechanism in the socket.

Also, some mechanisms can be mounted in a mounting box, then you need to loosen the screws on the box and remove it.

Step 5. Disconnecting the wires

The final step is to disconnect the switch mechanism from the voltage wires. There are two types of attachment:

• screw terminals;
• spring terminals.

In the first case, you need to loosen the screws in the terminals and only then remove the wires. If the mechanism is with clamping terminals, then you will need to find the levers in the places where the wires are attached, press on them and disconnect the wires.

When disconnecting the wires from the mechanism, for the convenience of reassembly, it is worth remembering which wire was on which side. Most often, wires go to the load (light bulbs) from the side contacts, and a phase comes to the central terminal.

After you have followed all the instructions, you can try to find out the cause of the breakdown. It is worth looking through the disassembled switch for yellow, dull spots, melted plastic. Perhaps the reason lies in the poor contact of the wires with the mechanism. Over time, the contact weakens and you just need to tighten the screws tighter.

Step 6 Switch Assembly Process

During the assembly or replacement of the mechanism with a new one, the process is carried out in reverse direction. First, you need to fix the wires. Then fasten mounting box in the socket, then carefully put on the frame and insert the keys. If you are dismantling the switch during repairs, and are not going to install a new one, you need to remember that after turning on the electricity, the bare wires will be energized, so they need to be insulated.

How to disassemble the video switch be sure to see

Conclusion

In this article, you learned possible reasons malfunctions or incorrect operation of the switch, how to disassemble the light switch, how the switch works, how to replace it with a new one. Following step by step instructions, you can disassemble the light switch, repair, assemble or install a new one. We hope that this article was informative and informative for you.

The need for knowledge and practical skills on how to disassemble a light switch arises when it is done overhaul in buildings separate rooms. Sometimes it becomes necessary to replace a faulty light switch.

The main types of light switches

There are two main types of wall mounting design, which are fundamentally different:

• for concealed wiring
• for outdoor wiring.

To avoid mistakes:

• short circuit,
• burnout of expensive lighting fixtures, energy-saving, LED or fluorescent lamps,
• burning insulation in a junction box or wall,
• electric shock.

Necessary:

1. Familiarize yourself with the basic safety precautions. Before removing the switch, it is necessary to study the design of their fastening and connection. Products for outdoor wiring are fastened with ordinary dowels and self-tapping screws, through the mounting holes the housing is pressed against the wall. For models of internal wiring, mounting technologies are more complicated. The housing design provides for a mechanism of sliding bars that fix the housing from two opposite sides in a pre-made hole with a diameter of 67-70 mm.

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1. Regardless of the type of light switch, for what purpose it is necessary to disassemble it, first of all on the switchboard, the circuit breaker is turned off. This is done for safety reasons, to exclude the possibility of electric shock to working people. It is necessary to make sure that the shutdowns are correct, click the keys several times, the lighting devices should not work. On the circuit breaker in the switchboard according to requirements of the PUE(Rules for the installation of electrical installations) it is necessary to hang a sign "do not turn on people work." It is advisable to close the cabinet and keep the keys with you so that outsiders do not have access to the switches. After completing these activities, you can proceed to disassemble the switch itself.

Disassembly of the internal wiring switch

1. Remove the plastic key strips and the decorative cover from the switch.

On older models, to remove the decorative cover, it is enough to unscrew the two screws, they are located on the surface. In new models, these bolts are hidden under the keys, which can be easily removed with your fingers, you can pry with a screwdriver.

Only then will you gain access to the screws securing the top cover. Having removed decorative elements, you will see the housing in the mounting hole. If it is fixed by a conscientious electrician, it will not be possible to pry it with a screwdriver and pull it out.

1. Unscrew the two screws of the spacer counterclockwise, the fixing strips will move away from the wall.

In some models, along the perimeter of the structure there is a galvanized plate with holes for fixing the case with self-tapping screws to the wall. The plate has holes for attaching the case to plastic sockets, in which there are channels for mounting screws.

There are times when the entire structure rests only on a spacer mechanism, or maybe screwed to the wall and the socket. Check all options, disconnect all fasteners, after which the entire mechanism can be removed from the mounting hole with your hands without much effort.

1. Again, using an indicator screwdriver, check the absence of voltage on all contacts. After making sure that there is no danger, disconnect the wires from the terminals. In cases where the terminals are stuck, the insulation and the case are melted, it is impossible to unscrew the bolts on the contacts with a screwdriver, bite off the wire with wire cutters. It is necessary to bite off the wire so that there is no burnt insulation left, at the same time, the length is sufficient for installing a new product. When the wires remain too short, it is not recommended to lengthen them by twisting, the best option this is a replacement for the entire area from the box to the switch, that's another topic.

Disassembly of the field wiring switch

For external wiring structures, the disassembly sequence is similar, only it must be borne in mind that instead of the screws of the spacer mechanism, screws are unscrewed that press the case directly against the wall. The security measures are the same, for reliability you can wear dry household rubber gloves, the voltage is low, this will be quite enough to protect. All operations can be done with one indicator screwdriver.

Having familiarized yourself with the types of fastening and the sequence of operations on how to disassemble the switch, you can do everything yourself without inviting electricians. In addition to keyboard options, there are resistive, capacitive ones with a smooth change in the brightness of the light. By appearance body designs are different, but general principle fastening and disassembly sequence remains the same. De-energize the wiring, remove the decorative covers, unscrew the fastening screws and disconnect the wires, no other options have yet been invented.

Switches designed to switch the operating modes of lighting in rooms are distinguished by a high margin of safety. Therefore, they can last a very, very long time. However, sometimes there are situations when it is required to remove this element from the wall, for example, for wallpapering or replacing it with a new and improved model. The whole process will take on the strength of 20 minutes, even for a person who has encountered such a need for the first time. The main thing here is to adhere to safety rules, as well as perform all actions very carefully and carefully. After all, the switch is 90% made of plastic elements, which can be easily damaged if handled ineptly.

We remove the switch from the wall - what to look for first

To get started, take care of the availability of special thin rubber gloves, without which it is not recommended to work. After that, you can proceed directly to the dismantling process. To properly remove the switch from the wall, you need to understand some of the features of the process.

Important points to highlight are:

• Safety machines. The network is connected to the apartment through fuse plugs or current protection circuit breakers. Before starting work in without fail it is required to de-energize the voltage, for which the toggle switch of the machine is transferred to the lower position. If there are plugs in the switchboard, then you will need to turn them off by pressing the red button located nearby, and also unscrew both plugs from the cartridge, which are responsible for the neutral wire and phase.
• Switch type. It is also very important point. To date, many different models are used, which differ additional features – remote control, smooth adjustment and so on. However, for our problem, only the type of fastening matters - hidden (the switch box is recessed into concrete) and external (the box is screwed to the wall with screws). The first type is somewhat more complicated, so we will talk exactly about him.
• Connection diagram. Most often, the light switch is equipped with several keys, which makes it difficult to remove the device from the wall, since the number of wires suitable for each key increases. In addition, the more keys, the longer it will take to remove each of these elements.

Remove the keys from the switch - the first stage of dismantling

Although the process of removing the switch is not difficult, it is recommended to try to invite an electrician. After all, work can be dangerous, because you have to deal with electricity. If calling a specialist is not possible, you have to act on your own. Before replacing the switch, you must make sure that it is he who has failed. Often the problem is in the cartridge, which simply burns out over time.

If the switch needs to be dismantled in any case, for example, in order to wallpaper the walls when this element interferes with work, then it will be necessary to completely de-energize the circuit for connecting electrical appliances in the apartment. Neglect of electrical safety rules can cause the following problems:

1. 1. Fire
2. 2. Breakdown of electrical wiring insulation
3. 3. Failure of devices connected to the network as a result of a short circuit
4. 4. Electric shock, eye damage, burns.

It is necessary not only to turn off the power in the apartment, but also to close the shield with a lock. You can also hang a sign on the shield stating that in this moment electrical work is underway. Only then can you be sure that none of the residents will accidentally supply current to the apartment.

To remove the switch, we need the following tools:

• Portable light source
• Voltage indicator screwdriver
• Flat and Phillips screwdriver

We need a flat screwdriver to detach the keys. This must be done carefully so as not to scratch the keys and the frame, and also not to break them. The tip is installed between the frame and the key, on either side. Next, you need to apply a little effort, using a screwdriver as a lever, enough for the key to move away from its place. The remaining keys, if any, are removed much easier, already without the use of screwdrivers.

Now let's check if there is really no voltage. Here we need an indicator screwdriver, which we apply to each of the contacts. Suitable for keys. It is recommended to install a flashlight or any other light source so that you can see exactly what you are doing or touching. Therefore, it is better for beginners not to do such work on their own, it can be very difficult to do without help.

By removing the keys, the master gets the opportunity to check the integrity of the contacts, as well as determine the voltage in them. This will give an answer to the question of whether the circuit breaker is out of order and whether it is required complete replacement. If further dismantling is necessary, we proceed to the next stage of work.

How to remove a frame - an algorithm of actions for beginners

It may be necessary to remove the switch from the wall in cases where it is necessary to completely replace the device, as well as to make a detailed inspection of the equipment. In this case, it will not be possible to limit yourself to just the keys, you also need to remove the frame in addition. Fortunately, this process is also not particularly difficult, the main thing is to act in accordance with the instructions and safety precautions.

We need the same set of tools as for working with keys. More often, the switch itself is fixed with several screws, for unscrewing which a Phillips screwdriver is useful. By unscrewing the screws, you can remove the frame. It is very fragile and thin, so the actions are performed as carefully as possible. Again, with a flat screwdriver, you need to pry off the frame, and then pull your fingers towards you. If everything is done correctly, the fixing frame will easily move away, after which you just have to get the light switch.

Socket with a switch - features of dismantling this device

Universal designs are very popular, including a socket and a switch, made in a single housing. Such devices are quite convenient during operation, since it becomes possible to connect lighting fixtures and power the outlet from one incoming line. The disadvantage is obvious - in the event of a breakdown of one of the elements, you will need to remove the socket from the wall along with the switch, regardless of the source of the problem. You should not worry, because this operation is performed very quickly.

Armed with a flat screwdriver, remove the keys, as described above. Under the keys are screws, which are removed with a Phillips screwdriver. This is not the only fastener element - the socket has its own screws, which will also need to be unscrewed to dismantle the entire case. Having unscrewed all the screws, it remains only to gently pull the body of the device towards you so that it moves away from its place. To help yourself, you can again use a flathead screwdriver, carefully prying off the case.

In cases where the source of lighting problems is the switch, you will need to replace it with a new one. When you go to a hardware store, be sure to take your old switch with you. This will ensure that the new model will fit the existing connector in size. By the way, if you previously had a keyboard instrument, this does not mean that you only need to buy the same equipment. So, a touch switch, or a switch with smooth light control, is perfect.

Connecting a new switch is done in the opposite order to dismantling the old one. The apartment, of course, is completely de-energized, after which the device itself is disassembled directly. Next, the wires are connected, this must be done in the same places where they were connected on the old switch. After that, the block is installed in the socket opening, fixed with four screws.

It remains only to fix the decorative frame and keys. This work can be considered fully completed. By turning on the switch in the switchboard, we make sure that everything works with a bang.

Typically, a light switch will last up to 10-12 years, but there are times when it needs to be replaced sooner. The reasons may be different - mechanical damage, breakdown of the internal mechanism or obsolescence and unsightly appearance. For an experienced electrician, replacing a circuit breaker is a matter of five minutes. For a non-specialist, this time may increase to 10–15 minutes, but in any case, before starting to disassemble the switch, it is useful to familiarize yourself with its internal structure.

Replacing an old switch with a new one

Switches are three types: with one key, two or three. To figure out how to replace, consider the example of removing and installing the simplest single-gang switch.

Photo gallery: types of electrical switches

All types of switches, including single-gang ones, can be used for hidden or outdoor wiring. two-gang switch it is possible to independently control two lines of lighting fixtures

Repair, dismantling and replacement of the circuit breaker is only allowed when the power is off.

The circuit breakers on the switchboard must be turned off (check box at the bottom).

In order to ensure your own safety during work, you must turn off the electricity by lowering the corresponding box circuit breaker

To finally make sure that there is no voltage on the switch contacts, it is recommended to use a household voltage indicator by setting metal leg for each contact in turn. A direct confirmation of the disconnection of the network is also the fact that the working lamp of the lamp does not light up when the switch is turned on (button up).

When there is voltage inside the transparent plastic case, the LED lights up.

How to remove an old switch

First of all, you need to conduct a visual inspection. There are many types of switches, and they differ in the way they are assembled. In some, the outer cover is fixed with screws, in others it is held on by plastic latches.

To remove this antique switch, you need to unscrew the two bolts and remove the decorative cover.

1. First, the top protective cover is removed. If it is fixed on screws, they need to be unscrewed. To do this, use a screwdriver with straight slots. If the fastening is made by latches, then before removing the cover, you need to remove the key. This is done using the same screwdriver, gently inserting it into the gap between the case and the key. If there are several keys, then each of them is removed independently.
   
   The key is gently pry off with a screwdriver inserted into the slot, and removed with a screwdriver.
2. When the key is removed, the entire internal structure of the switch becomes available for disassembly. If the wiring device is hidden, the switch is recessed into the depth of the wall and is attached to the socket using sliding legs. They must be released by unscrewing the two screw bolts counterclockwise. You need to rotate them until the base falls out of the socket. If the wiring is external, the mount is slightly different. There are no sliding legs and a socket box, the switch body is fixed directly to the wall.
   The built-in switch is dismantled after unscrewing the two screws securing to the socket
3. By unscrewing two screws, you can get a base, inside of which there is a contact pair that opens the circuit for supplying current to the lamp.
   After unscrewing the bolts, the switch is freely removed from the socket
4. At the last stage of dismantling the switch, the wires are disconnected from it. They are inserted into special terminal blocks and fastened to them with screw clamps. By loosening the screws one and a half to two turns, you can easily pull the wires out of the sockets. They should not be completely unscrewed, as in some switches the fastening is designed in such a way that the cable is clamped between the screw and the square nut. If the nut comes off the thread, it will be difficult to reinstall it later.
   After loosening the wire fastening bolts, the switch body will remain in your hands

Video: how to disassemble the switch

Installing a new switch

Assembly is carried out in reverse order.

1. The wires are connected in place.
2. The base is inserted into the socket and secured with spacer legs.
3. A plastic case is screwed on top.
4. A key is inserted into the grooves.

In this case, it is important to install the switch so that the lamp turns on when the button is pressed up. The assembly of the switch for external wiring is carried out identically, with the difference that after fixing the cable contacts, the base is screwed to the wall, then the case is attached to it, and the key is installed last.

The switch is installed in the reverse order of removing the old device.

How to move the switch to another location

Sometimes there is a desire (or need) to move the switch to another location. For example, when the children in the family grow up, but still cannot reach the switch. The rules for installing electrical appliances allow the switch to be moved to a convenient place for the user. It is allowed to install the switch at a height of 80 to 160 cm from the floor. In order to make such a move, you must first determine the new location. It is considered optimal to install a switch located 15–20 cm from the edge door jamb(right or left - it does not matter, but it is more common to install it on the right).

The switch is installed 15–20 cm from the door on either side

1. If the reinstallation is carried out within 1 m of the original location down or up, a strobe is made in the wall. Its depth should be approximately 1.5 times the thickness of the cable (or cables) laid in the corrugation. The wire should lie freely inside the groove without looking out. The strobe can be made with a puncher or a strobe cutter.
   To do concealed wiring, a strobe is made in the wall with a volume approximately 1.5 times larger than the size of the cable in the corrugated hose
2. In the place of the new position of the switch, a hole for the socket is drilled. This can be done with a perforator using a diamond crown. The depth of the hole should be no more than 5 cm in concrete and brick houses and 4.5 cm - in panel. As a rule, a crown with a diameter of 68 mm is used. However, there are various situations, and the crown is selected based on them. On this preparatory work are running out.
   The hole for the socket is drilled using a diamond core bit with a diameter of 68 mm
3. The next step is to turn off the power to the mains of the house (apartment) and completely disassemble the switch, described above. In addition to the switch itself, the socket box is also carefully removed from the wall. This can be done with a puncher or a simple chisel with a hammer. Socket boxes in concrete and brick walls are attached to gypsum, which, when exposed to blows, crumbles and collapses. It is important not to break the plastic housing of the socket itself, it can be reused.
   The socket box can be removed by carefully knocking out its edges and crumbling the adhesive layer of gypsum
4. After that, the cable is extended to the desired length. It is best to connect the wires using a terminal block or a regular Wago block, but if this is not possible, you can make a simple twist, while insulating it well with a dielectric tape. According to the rules for laying cables in strobes, the cable must be placed in the corrugation. The minimum size of a corrugated plastic sleeve is (outer diameter) 16 mm. The metal corrugation may be 9.8 mm across. The junction of the old and new corrugations must also be insulated. The size of the stackable cable is selected in such a way that there is a margin of 5–10 cm.
   If there are no terminal connectors at hand, you can do the usual twist, carefully insulating all open areas
5. After that, a socket is installed in a new place. The simplest and fast way- fix it on alabaster, quick-hardening electrical plaster. The solution is diluted in the ratio of 1 part alabaster to 1 part water by volume. Since the gypsum hardens very quickly, the socket box is first installed in the hole in the wall, the corrugated cable is inserted into it, and only then the solution is prepared.
   Alabaster must be diluted in water in a ratio of 1: 1 and quickly applied to the necessary places, because it hardens very quickly
6. After the alabaster is brought to the consistency of thick sour cream, it fills the strobe with the cable and the empty space around the socket. After 25–30 minutes, the solution will harden and it will be impossible to change the position of the wiring, so everything must be done within 5–7 minutes. Later, with a different solution, the strobe is completely puttied and leveled in the plane of the wall. The former location of the socket box is also completely filled with putty. For the final leveling of all voids, ordinary gypsum is used, which sets only after 25–30 minutes (and some up to an hour), which gives enough time to work. After the putty has completely dried (24 hours), the surface is polished with sandpaper.
   The strobe must be filled with mortar and carefully leveled, and after the alabaster has dried, sanded with sandpaper
7. The installation and connection of the switch is carried out after the strobe and the socket box are completely dry. The connection procedure is described above.

Sometimes (more often this happens in panel houses old building) you can come across a switch, which is fixed in a recess without the use of a socket. This practice was characteristic of the buildings of the end of the previous century. The panels were poured at the factory, they provided for the installation of switches and sockets directly into the concrete holes. For some (short) time, such switches served properly, but the sockets were the first to fail and fell out of their sockets when the cord was pulled out. Therefore, if there is no socket under the switch, the task will only be simplified.

In the case when the switch is moved over a considerable distance, it is possible to connect it to another junction box. But it makes no sense to describe this process without reference to a specific situation. In this case best solution there will be a consultation with an experienced electrician directly on site.

It is much easier and faster to reset the circuit breaker when cabling outdoors. Obviously, in this case there is no need to ditch the walls, it is enough to stretch the cable channel or even just the cable in the corrugation to a new location.

Outdoor wiring is most often carried out in plastic boxes.

For corrugated sleeves, special brackets are available for sale to help fix them on the wall.

It is more convenient to fasten a corrugated hose with a cable inserted into it using plastic clips

Often such wiring is done in garages, warehouses and other office premises. A clear advantage is its high degree of accessibility when carrying out repairs or preventive work. In addition, additional conductors can always be installed in the cable channel as needed.

Video: how to move the switch

Switch repair

Not always the old switch needs to be thrown away and replaced with a new one. Sometimes it is enough to repair it. The switch device is quite simple and can be repaired in case of a breakdown without much difficulty. If you carefully consider the disassembled switch, you can understand that the main function in it is performed by a contact pair, which moves from one position to another by the force of mechanical action. In one position electrical circuit connects, in the other - disconnects.

Necessary tools and materials

To disassemble and assemble the switch, you need only one tool - a screwdriver with flat slot, the size of which is 3–5 mm. A piece is needed to strip the contacts sandpaper with fine grain or needle file.

Disassembly of the circuit breaker is carried out using a conventional flat-blade screwdriver.

How to disassemble the switch

The process of disassembling the switch has been described above. For convenience, we present it here again.

Modern switches consist of a non-separable base, which simply changes in case of damage.

Contact cleaning

If the switch is unstable (it turns on, then does not turn on the lamp), most likely the reason lies in burnt contacts. Upon closer inspection, such contacts may turn out to be slightly charred or even melted. This happens because the wire is not firmly fixed in the terminal block. Another reason may be a power surge in the network at the time of switching on. A lamp with too much power can also cause damage to the contacts over time. Be that as it may, contact must be restored, then it will continue to serve properly. To do this, it is cleaned with fine sandpaper until a uniform metallic color appears.

Fine sandpaper is used to clean the contacts.

Sometimes the conductor may be tinned, i.e. treated with tin. Then instead of sandpaper it is better to use a small file - a needle file.

Other Possible Problems and Solutions

Other problems with switches are rare. But there are times when a foreign body or some kind of debris gets inside the switch. For example, during renovation. Then it needs to be disassembled and thoroughly cleaned of everything superfluous, it is advisable to blow the base with a vacuum cleaner. As a rule, after this, the operation of the switch is adjusted again.

How to assemble a switch

Assembly is in reverse order. If the repair is carried out for the first time, you can lay out the parts on the table in the order of disassembly or take pictures in stages. When repairing a single-gang switch, the location of the wires does not matter. But if there are two or three keys in it, then in order to avoid confusion, it is better to immediately mark the incoming core with a marker. They can also mark the place of its connection.

When installing a two-gang switch, it is necessary to correctly connect the lead wire (phase), which is best marked during disassembly

You can check the result of the repair after installing the base in the socket. To do this, turn on the mains power on the shield and test the switch. If it works normally, you can complete the assembly, install the protective case and the key.

Video: repair and replacement of the switch

Getting started on replacing the lighting switch, you need to take care of safety measures. It must be remembered that electricity can cause damage to health and pose a danger to life. It is necessary to observe the main rule of health protection, which is that installation should only take place when the devices are disconnected from the mains.