Expert Advice on 15 Types of Light Switches
One of the most fundamental pieces of simple tech nowadays used across industries and devices is the switch. The first modern-day switch, or rather its precursor, was invented in 1884 by John Henry Holmes.
Although this current interruptor was known to rust and trap dirt, it led to many iterations, which helped create the perfect conditions for the solution we use today, mainly in light switches. All those years of trial and error shaped a wide range of light switch types, and each one is still used today.
Light Switch Designs
Rocker
Rocker switches are the most contemporary and most commonly used option for operating lights. These feature a flat panel on top of the switching mechanism, allowing you to use it by pushing it back and forth. You can find rocker switches online in more colours and size variations than their older counterparts – toggle switches.
Toggle
A toggle switch works similarly to a rocker switch but with a more straightforward design. Instead of a flat panel, there is a lever that you push up or down to turn a fixture on or off. This makes them more durable but not as modern-looking.
Slider
When you want more than just an on/ off switch, a slider solution is the next best thing, as it allows you to adjust the brightness of your lights. This is done with a physical slider that moves up or down to set how bright or dim you want a room to be.
Dimmer
Talking about dim rooms, if you don’t want to keep adjusting the dimmer, you can opt for a dimmer switch instead. Used with dimmable light bulbs, dimmer switches let you change the light by using a slider or knob. You can also adjust the level of brightness if needed.
Push-Button
As its name suggests, a push-button electric switch has a button that has two positions. The first depressed position means the light is off, while the second pressed-in position means the light is on. Some push-button switches act as a rotary knob, which allows you to adjust the brightness of the fixture.
Occupancy
Motion sensor or occupancy switches have a push-button design, but only to activate or deactivate the fixture’s operations. They operate by detecting when someone enters a room, usually a bathroom and light up to show that a stall is occupied and turn off to show that it’s vacant.
Smart
Nowadays, it’s popular to buy smart switches online or in-store, and you get more than just manual operation from where the switch is located. By being able to connect the switch to your phone, tablet or computer, you can turn the fixture on and off as well as adjust its brightness, colour or both, no matter where you are.
Specialty
Specialty electrical switches offer more than just a way to operate a fixture. They allow you to adjust brightness levels and set a timer on the switch so the light is on for a certain period.
Combination
A combination switch controls two different fixtures or a fixture and an outlet at once. This can be from two different rooms as long as the fixtures are connected to the same wall box. Combination electrical switches are used when you want a more organised connection in a tight space.
Pull-Chain
Typically affixed to a ceiling fan, pull-chain switches are convenient when you want a simple mechanism on a moving object. Apart from light fixtures, they are also used to operate the ceiling fan that the fixture is part of.
Single-Pole
A regular light switch with no added features is known as a single-pole switch. That’s because it only receives power from the wall box and then terminates it once the fixture is turned off.
Double-Pole
With a double-pole switch, you get the ability to run two live or hot wires and one grounding wire. This setup allows it to be used for more than just lights, as it allows for higher voltages to pass safely, such as those used by water heaters and air conditioners.
Double
A double-light switch, unlike a double-pole switch, can control two different fixtures at once. Also known as a two-gang switch, it allows you to turn each light on and off independently, as long as they’re connected properly.
Triple
As you’d expect, a triple-light switch can control three different fixtures at once and thus its mechanism is most commonly used in large rooms where multiple fixtures are grouped. A triple-light electric switch is not the same as a three-way switch, though, since the latter can control one fixture from three different spots.
Photocell
A photocell switch is the most automated option, as it detects natural light in the room and turns on only when needed, then turns off once there’s enough light. This gives your space consistent lighting without any manual effort.
