The switch is a common and banal object that we use every day. However, to connect a switch it is essential to have basic knowledge of electricity. Also, before transforming your garage into a laundry room or office and adding new switches, you must know how to connect them and recognize the different types of switches. There are simple switches or two-way switches and surface mounted or flush mounted. If the connections are not necessarily complicated, they require knowledge of the electrical standards in force. And to start, turn off the general circuit breaker to avoid any electrical risk. Then, follow the guide below, so as not to get tangled in the electrical wires and connect your switch properly!
So how do you plug in a switch?
The very first thing to do before starting the installation of your switch is to secure it.
You must therefore cut off the general power supply at the circuit breaker on your electrical panel.
To do this, simply lower the lever to position 0 and the power supply to your entire home is cut.
Then check that the current is no longer flowing in the room concerned by the connection of the switch.
To do this, try plugging in an electrical device or turning on a light in the room.
If nothing works, it means that the electricity is cut off.
You can therefore install your switch without any risk.
You can prepare the necessary equipment: wire cutters, insulated screwdriver (which does not conduct electricity, wire strippers, electric wires, screws, dowels, drill and of course the switch in question. In this regard, it is useful to know if the switch concerned is simple or if it is a two-way switch: the simple switch allows a lamp or any other device to be turned on or off from a single point, while the The two-way switch is used to control the ignition of several different points.
You can then see if the switch to be changed is surface-mounted (on the wall) or if it is recessed (in the wall).
Locate the wiring: colors and preparation of electrical wires
There is a color code to find your way around an electrical installation for 220 v current:
red, brown and black wires: are used for the phase conductor i.e. the wire through which the current arrives
blue wire: indicates the neutral conductor which is used to distribute the current
yellow and green wires, or two-color wire: they are used to connect to the earth
If it is a back and forth switch, there will be shuttle wires between the switches.
(oranges or purples)
To connect your switch, whether surface or recessed, you must first separate the two red wires (called phase wires) which come out of the wall.
If they are too long, you can shorten them a bit using the wire cutters.
Then strip the ends with the wire stripper.
The next step is to connect to the electrical circuit.
To do this, insert the end of the first red wire into the first terminal of the switch (indicated by the letter L), then the end of the other wire into the terminal indicated by the number 1. Then pull lightly on the electrical wires to check that they are securely attached to the switch.
Then place your switch on the wall.
If it is a recessed model, all you have to do is put it in the embedding box already in place and then put the trim back on.
If it is a surface-mounted model, the switch cover must be attached to the base by clipping it.
Wiring of the different types of electrical switches
If you're replacing an existing switch, it's pretty straightforward, as you just need to remove it and disconnect the wires.
On the other hand, if you are creating a new circuit, you must first pass the cables which bring the power supply from the switchboard.
You can use the ducts already installed in the walls, or else fix ducts, less aesthetic, but which avoid making bleedings.
For the wiring of a single switch,
you need three conductors: the phase (red wire), the neutral (blue wire) and the lamp return (purple, orange or brown).
Start by stripping the wires present over 2 cm, then connect the phase (red wire) to terminal L. Then connect the lamp return (purple, orange or brown) to terminal 1. Flush in or dress your switch and put the installation back on. power on to verify proper operation.
For a back and forth switch, this function materialized by what we call shuttles.
These are the electrical wires which communicate between the two switches and which allow switching between the two actions (turning on and off).
They are often orange in color.
For two-way wiring:
the phase wire (red) is connected to terminal L of the first switchgear.
The neutral wire (blue) is connected to the lamp and the lamp return to terminal L of the second device.
The shuttles (orange wires) are connected to terminals 1 and 2 of each switch.
You can then embed or dress with the cover plate, turn on the power and test operation.
