light switch cover plate

All You Need to Know About Sockets and Switches


The Discovery of electricity has always been considered one of the most incredible achievements. However, while electricity can help you power a specific device, you cannot control the flow of electric current. This is where switches and sockets come in handy and provide you with the perfect solution to control electricity.

What are Sockets and Switches?

While sockets are places where you plug in your electrical appliances, switches are the equipment used to turn any electrical device on or off. Both switches and sockets are irreplaceable items in an electrical wiring system.

Since they are used regularly, switches, sockets, and even light switch cover plates are prone to get damaged over time. Damages can be due to unstable connections or misuse of switches and sockets. In case you face any issue with some socket or switch, it is best to call an electrician and get it changed at the earliest.

Keep reading the article to know more about different types of switches and sockets.

Two Way Switch and Intermediate Switch

The most commonly used switch is also known as a one-way switch, which means one switch controls one light. However, two-way switches are an upgraded version that allows you to control a light from two different points. For example, it can be inside and outside of a bathroom or above and at the bottom of a set of stairs.

Intermediate switches add a third point from where you can control a device. You can use this system of switches to control the key lights when you come home late. For example, while you can control the light on the stairs from above and below the set of stairs, you can connect an intermediate switch and control the light from the main gate of your house as well. Similarly, such switches can be used in bedrooms to control the bedside light from three points, the door and the left and right side of the bed.

Furthermore, intermediate switches can be added at different entrances of your house to give you access to all the lights, irrespective of the entrance you choose.

The major types of switches are:

  • Wall Switches

    The most commonly used switches all around the globe; wall switches can help you control the various electrical appliances in your house.

 

  • Designer Touch Switches

    An excellent replacement for the traditional switches, touch switches are not only easier to use but look great aesthetically as well. When combined with appropriate lights, these switches can be adjusted to dim the lights as per your mood as well.

 

  • Push Button Switches

    Majorly preferred for industrial use, push-button switches are available in numerous shapes and sizes and, therefore, cover almost all manual control situations.

Sockets

Two-pin and three-pin sockets are the most commonly used sockets in the world. Mounted in an electrical circuit and controlled by a switch, these sockets can be used as a source to power any electrical appliance you want. Different types of sockets offer a different amount of power and are used for specific purposes only.

Just plug in the adapter of the appliance in the socket and turn on the connected switch to power it up.

Improper electrical connections should not be ignored, and any faulty connection or device must be replaced immediately. This is very important to avoid any mishaps, as electricity can be really harmful and even lethal to living things.

Besides, when designing or remodeling a house, replacing traditional switches and sockets with modern and better-looking products is an excellent choice.

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