When a light switch fails, it becomes necessary to disassemble it. If it is discovered that the device does not work, the first step is to determine whether there is voltage in the apartment network. Then you need to remove the light bulb connected to the switch and check the serviceability of it and the socket. It often happens that the fault turns out to be somewhere else. If there is electricity in the rooms and the light bulb and socket are in order, the cause of the malfunction most likely lies in the switch itself.
How to disassemble a light switch yourself
Before removing the switch, you need to determine its type. It could be as follows:
- One-, two- or three-key.
- Passage. In fact, it is a contact switch and is similar to a switch only in appearance.
- Dimmer – a switch with a built-in device for regulating the brightness of incandescent and halogen lamps. It can be mechanical or with a microcontroller.
- Pulse – a button connected by contacts to a special relay;
- Touch – acoustic (triggered by a loud sound), controlled from an IR remote control or radio remote control.
Most users use key switches, which are advisable to consider first.
Power outage
Before removing an outlet or light switch, first turn off the electricity. In the room, the electrical wiring branches into several lines: sockets, lighting and leads to the electric stove. At the switchboard, the lighting power is turned off automatically, and then the absence of voltage is checked at its output.
Sometimes it turns out that it is not the phase wire that is connected to the machine, but the neutral wire. This can be done by an unqualified electrician who assembled the panel circuit. The circuit will work, but the lighting wiring will be constantly energized, regardless of whether the circuit breaker is turned on or not. If such an error is found, it should be eliminated by making the necessary changes to the circuit.
If you have difficulty choosing a line, you can turn off the input machine, turning off the power to the entire apartment.
How to disassemble a switch
Disassembly tools will require a flathead and Phillips screwdriver. Most models use flat mounting screws, but sometimes you can find cross-shaped ones.
Switches come with one, two or three keys. Without removing them, the device cannot be disassembled, since the fastening elements are hidden inside.
The devices vary in design, and disassembly methods may vary:
- The key is pressed thumb to the wall from one edge and is removed if you pull the other one towards you (Fig. a). You should not pick it with a screwdriver or knife, as scratches will remain on the surface. Some keys fit tightly and can be pryed off by the edge with a screwdriver.
- The key is pressed on the sides with your fingers, the fastenings are recessed, and it moves freely.
- If there are connectors on the sides, pry them up with a screwdriver and gently pull them towards you, after which the key comes off.
Removing the keys (a) and frame (b) from the switch with your own hands
Double and triple keys are removed in turn. Then you need to remove the decorative frame, which is pressed against the mechanism by an insert located in the middle and held by latches. It should be removed by prying the edge with a screwdriver (Fig. b).
Afterwards, the fastening elements for the wiring and the switch mechanism will become accessible.
Switch mechanism with wire fastening elements
The frame may be secured with screws that need to be unscrewed. Most often it is fixed on the side latches. Plastic fastenings they bend back one by one and the frame comes away.
Before dismantling the mechanism, you need to find the core through which the phase is connected to the switch. To do this, voltage is applied to it, and the indicator checks the presence of voltage on both contacts. Then the key switches to the next position and the test is repeated.
If in all cases voltage remains on one contact, it means that the supply phase conductor is connected to it. The other core will go to the lamp. The phase for two- and three-key switches is found similarly. Home handyman should not worry about the number of wires connected. Among them there will be only one wire through which the supply voltage is supplied. The power supply is then switched off again and operation continues.
The fastening screws hold the spacer tabs that rest against side walls installation box. If you loosen the screws, the mechanism will freely come out of the wall. If it is secured to the box with screws, they should be removed.
Then unscrew the screws securing the wires and remove it from the wall recess. Check the absence of voltage on the mechanism using an indicator screwdriver. The input conductors can be secured with self-clamping terminals. To easily pull the wires out of the connector, press the locking levers. First, the phase wire is disconnected and insulated. Subsequently, it is reconnected to the phase contact of the new or repaired switch. If the pins are marked “L” and “1”, the connection is made to “L”. When they are designated “1” and “2”, the phase is connected to contact “1”.
Designation of contact L of the supply phase
In two- and three-key switches, the contacts are designated in a similar way:
- two-key – “L”, “1”, “2” or “1”, “2”, “3”;
- three-key – “L”, “1”, “2”, “3” or “1”, “2”, “3”, “4”.
In all cases, the devices have one common contact with the connected supply phase and outlet contacts to the lamps.
The phase connection must be to a fixed contact, and the outlet wire to a moving one. If everything is done correctly, the key will be pressed from above in the “on” position and from below in the “off” position.
After disassembly, the switch in a particular case looks as shown in the figure below (LEZARD brand). It contains 3 main elements: mechanism, frame and key.
What does a disassembled switch look like?
Switch repair
The device is inspected for the quality of contacts. If they are oxidized, they are cleaned. If the contacts melt, the switch cannot be repaired and should be replaced with a new one.
Then check the contacts at the places where the wires are attached and, if necessary, clean them. You also need to check the strength of the supply wires.
When choosing a new switch, you need to have the faulty one with you in order to find the right model using it.
Switch connection. Video
The video talks about how to properly connect a single switch to the network.
The method of disassembling a switch depends on its design. You should remove the keys and decorative frame carefully, since the fastenings are mostly made with plastic latches different designs. Work on disassembling the switch should be carried out with the mains voltage turned off.
Sometimes, for one reason or another, it is necessary to dismantle and remove the light switch found in any home. Before starting work, you should familiarize yourself with some nuances that will allow you to carry out the process correctly. In this article we will tell you how to disassemble a light switch and provide detailed step-by-step instructions.
Tools required for disassembly
To disassemble the switch you will need some simple tools and equipment. The main ones are a pair of screwdrivers, although many devices can be dismantled using a single flat blade. A Phillips screwdriver will be needed for devices that have Phillips-shaped screws in their design.
Before starting work, you should make sure to turn off the power supply to your apartment or house. Shutdown is carried out in the electrical panel, which is usually located on staircase or near front door. If it is not known which lever is responsible for a particular room in the apartment, it is recommended not to take risks, but to immediately turn all the toggle switches to the “OFF” position. If this is not done, an electric shock may occur when dismantling the switch.
Before starting work, you should turn off the power to the room or the entire home by moving the corresponding toggle switch It is always important to remember that when performing any electrical work, safety is the most important factor. The lever in the electrical panel must be directed downwards. Even if the home is completely de-energized, it would be a good idea to play it safe by additionally making sure that there is no voltage using an indicator screwdriver. Also, before disassembling, you should study the design features installed switch. Read also the article: → "".
Disassembling the light switching device begins with removing the key, since it is impossible to continue work without dismantling it. Removing this structural element is almost always quite quick and easy. Before removing the key, you must carefully examine the mechanism of the existing device. It is released various types, and therefore the process may have fundamental differences.
Most easy way- this is to press the key towards the wall with your thumb, grab the ledge with your other fingers and, with not too much effort, pull the key towards you. Some people are often afraid of damaging a key by applying too much force to a tightly seated element. In this case, you can use a flat thin screwdriver or a knife, slightly prying the key. But it’s still better to try to remove it manually - the risk of scratching or damaging the element is minimal.
To remove the key in most switch models, it is enough to use your fingers There are models of switches, for example, Lezard, in which there are special holes on the sides of the key. By prying them off with a screwdriver, the key can be removed without special effort. If the switch is two-key, then the second element is removed after removing the previous one according to the same principle. Read also the article: → "".
Removing the switch frame
The next job when disassembling the switch is to remove the frame, which can be fastened in two ways:
- screw;
- clamping
Fastening the screw frames, as you might guess, is done using small screws that are unscrewed using a Phillips or flat-head screwdriver. The clamping frames are attached using special clamps, which should simply be bent to dismantle. For greater convenience and speed up the process, first remove one clamp, and then the second.
Switch disassembly and dismantling
The final stage of disassembling the switch is removing it from the mounting box. To do this, you need to loosen the mounting tabs that securely hold the device in the wall. The corresponding screws are loosened, after which the mechanism can be freely removed from the wall. Some switch models, such as Makel, are secured to the sides of the box with screws. In this case, you should simply unscrew them using a screwdriver.
After dismantling the switch, it is necessary to measure the voltage on the wires connected to it using an indicator screwdriver. If there is no voltage, then after disassembling the fasteners, the wires are disconnected from the device.
Tip #1. The dismantled switch should be inspected for the presence of melted contacts. If there are any, the device cannot be repaired and requires replacement. If this problem does not exist, it is necessary to inspect for any other damage, and also check all contacts at the points where the wires are secured.
Disconnecting wires from the device
In most switch models, including Legrand and Wessen brands, the wires are secured using bolted connection, which when disconnected you just need to loosen and pull slightly towards yourself. If the switch malfunctions, the wires are insulated and marked before installing a new one different colors so as not to confuse them during installation.
Features of disassembling popular brands of switches (MAKEL, LEGRAND, Wessen, LEZZARD)
MAKEL brand switches have some design features, and therefore their disassembly is carried out using the following technology:
- remove the keys - there are no differences from other brands of devices;
- remove the cover.
When removing the decorative frame, you may encounter some problems. The manufacturer used special elastic clamps to secure this element, going deep into the device. The cover must be pulled towards you without using excessive force, as it can be easily damaged. Another design feature is the location of the screws with inside, therefore you can only get to them after removing the case from the wall.
LEGRAND
The key or keys of the LEGRAND brand double switch can be removed without any serious effort by pressing on the lower or upper part. Then, after removing the frame, you need to loosen the locking tabs that hold the device in the mounting box.
Wessen
The keys in Wessen switch models are removed as follows. The protruding parts are grasped with the fingers, compressed and pulled towards themselves. When pressed, axial guides come out of the grooves. There are some nuances when removing the frame. The continuous cover of Wessen Prima switches is attached to the mechanism body with two bolts that can be easily unscrewed with a screwdriver.
The Wessen Zenit switch with the frame removed is attached to the wall using a pair of bolts LEZARD
Switches of this brand can have frames attached in two ways:
- screws that can simply be unscrewed with a screwdriver;
- with a special fastening in the form of side latches, which must be carefully picked up and bent using a knife or screwdriver.
Switches with three keys of the Lezard brand are dismantled by removing the elements one by one How to disassemble a light switch with a regulator
If the process of disassembling ordinary switches is in most cases clear and simple, then with devices equipped with dimmers, some difficulties may arise. Dimmers, including mechanical ones, are connected to the circuit according to exactly the same principle as ordinary switches. Consequently, their disassembly is carried out according to the same scheme:
- the rotary handle is removed;
- using a screwdriver or knife, the decorative frame is released from the latch;
- the fastening legs become loose;
- the bolts securing the body are loosened.
Removing a switch with a brightness control is similar to disassembling an ordinary household device How to disassemble a switch with an indicator
To disassemble an illuminated switch, you must first turn off the indicator, which involves turning off the power and removing the LED. The sequence of actions is as follows:
- turning off the switch de-energizes the room;
- the key latches are carefully pryed off with a thin screwdriver and removed;
- the frame is carefully removed;
- the fastening bolts are unscrewed;
- the device is removed from the installation box;
- The presence of voltage in the wires is checked using an indicator screwdriver.
Tip #2. Before touching a bare wire, make sure there is no voltage. To do this, you should bring a tester or other probe to each of the contacts - the indicator should not turn on.
The Shneider Electric indicator switch can also be disassembled without the use of complex tools. FAQ
Question No. 1. How can you get to the LED in the indicator switch?
Typically, to replace the LED element, you will need to separate the device into two halves by releasing the latches. After this, access to the LED will be open, which can be desoldered or removed by cutting the wiring.
Question No. 2. How to reassemble the switch?
Regardless of the model, the device is always assembled in reverse order without any nuances.
Question No. 3. What to do if there are traces of oxidation on the switch contacts?
If the contacts are oxidized, they can be carefully cleaned. If there is melting of the terminals, the switch must be replaced - its further operation is dangerous!
Typical mistakes at work
- A common mistake is the application of excessive force when removing the switch key or decorative frame. As a result, these elements may not only be scratched, but also broken. In this case, regardless of the device model, you will need to purchase a new one, since the keys and frames are not sold separately.
- The most dangerous mistake is neglecting safety rules. Be sure to turn off the power supply to the room at the panel. If you are in doubt which switch is “correct,” it is better to turn them all off.
I've probably encountered a problem while making repairs. how to change a switch. It doesn't seem like a tricky thing, but
It’s scary, there’s still electricity, suddenly you won’t be able to deal with the wires. Well, it’s not clear what to connect where and what to screw to what.
In fact, there is nothing complicated here and there is nothing to be afraid of, everything is as simple as hammering a nail into a wall. After reading this article, in which everything in detail stated, you will never have a question again, how to change a switch.
So, we have a switch that needs to be changed.
The first step is to dismantle the old switch, and only then proceed to install the new one.
Dismantling the switch
We unscrew the two screws that secure the protective carbolite or plastic cover, carefully remove it.
Before us is a single-key switch mechanism. It has two contact screw clamps to which the wire strands are connected.
The mechanism is fixed in the socket box using spacer legs, which are adjusted using two screws located on the left and right.
Before dismantling the mechanism, it is necessary to determine the core through which the phase approaches the switch. We use it for this, instructions for use can be viewed by clicking on the blue-highlighted link in the corresponding instructions.
Being extremely careful not to touch the live contacts with your hands, we take turns bringing the indicator first to one, then to the other contact. Switch the switch key to another position and check again.
You need to find such a position of the key when the phase is on only one contact; in this position it is in the “off” position. In this way, the supply phase conductor of the wire will be found. The second conductor, without voltage, will go to the lamp.
Before carrying out further work on replacing the switch, you need to take care of the safety of this event; to do this, you need to turn off the supply of electricity to the apartment (unscrew the plugs or turn off the circuit breaker in the floor or apartment switchboard).
We turn it off, check that there is no voltage, and only after that we continue dismantling the switch.
We unscrew the two screws of the spacer tabs and pull the mechanism out of the socket.
Disconnect the wires. First the phase wire. We unscrew the contact screw, remove the wire and mark it with insulating tape.
Then disconnect the second wire, freeing the mechanism.
Straighten the wires.
Dismantling completed.
We are preparing
Before connecting the switch, it is necessary to prepare it for installation. We will discuss how to do this below.
Remove the key by prying it in the center from the left or from right side flat screwdriver.
Unscrew the two screws located diagonally.
Now the mechanism is available to us. The mechanisms of single-key switches can be of different designs, but they have the same connection principle. There must be two contact clamps and spacer tabs for attaching to the socket box.
In our mechanism, the screws of the spacer legs are located on the left and right.
They set the metal fixation claws in motion.
And two contact screw clamps for connecting wire cores.
By unscrewing or tightening the contact screw, we move the pressure plate, designed to securely fix the core in the contact.
Each contact provides connections from 1 to 2 wires.
How to connect a light switch?
First you need to prepare the wires, strip the core insulation and remove 1 cm using a knife.
We insert it into the contact hole. If necessary, we trim off the excess; ideally, it should not stick out from the contact by more than 1-2 mm. Make sure that the core insulation does not get into the clamp.
Tighten the contact screw.
We check how well the contact is stretched, pull the wire, if it is not movable everything is fine, if not we stretch it some more. We remember that a poorly tightened contact is the reason for the rapid failure of the switch. Although you don’t need to be very zealous either, you can break the screw thread; on inexpensive switches it is very vulnerable. We are looking for a middle ground, everything went tight, we check it and move on to the next wire.
Clean it, insert it.
On some switches, on the back of the mechanism there may be contact designations:
Most often, the designations on single-key switches look like this: L and 1, or 1 and 2, where:
- “L” (to designate L and 1), “1” (to designate 1 and 2) - contact for connecting the incoming phase, the one we marked with insulating tape.
- “1” (to designate L and 1), “2” (to designate 1 and 2) - outgoing contact, it can also be marked with an arrow.
These designations are due to the fact that when connecting the switch correctly, the incoming phase must be a fixed contact, and the outgoing phase must be a moving one. Although with practical point For single-key switches, this is not important; the wires can be connected this way or that way.
So, we have come to installing the switch mechanism in the (mounting cup). Before doing this, you need to check whether the switch is installed correctly. To do this, apply voltage and turn the key on and off. In the on position, the key should be pressed at the top, and in the off position at the bottom.
We install the mechanism in the socket box, align it horizontally and tighten the screws of the spacer legs until rigid fixation is achieved.
Screw the protective housing into place.
Set the key. Before that we look at her reverse side, the pins on the key must fit into the grooves on the button.
The switch is installed.
Read more about how to install other electrical wiring elements (sockets, double switches, illuminated switches, chandeliers and lamps) you can look at.
To complete the work of replacing the switch we needed:
Material
- switch - 1
Tool
- voltage indicator
- flat and Phillips screwdrivers
A simple sequence showing how to remove switches from a wall if someone else installed them requires basic knowledge on handling a screwdriver - a 220 V voltage indicator and performing the work carefully.
You can use a regular screwdriver, but there will be a risk of electricity if there are disturbances in the power supply circuit, induced currents or voltage in the neutral wire from other sources with high grounding resistance. To be sure, you can use thin rubber gloves.
Main variants of the situation
There are several differences in how you have to remove the switch. important features devices on a specific network. 
These include:
Turning off the machine at the entrance to the room does not relieve you of the need to check the absence of voltage directly on the device being removed.
Strictly follow safety precautions when working with electricity Before starting work complex circuit connections to electrical appliances must be completely de-energized, without exception. The result of deviation from electrical safety rules may be:
- hit electric shock, burns, eye damage;
- failure as a result of short circuit currents of electrical appliances that have not been switched off;
- breakdown of insulation, switching fittings in the panel;
- fire.
Be sure to take measures to prevent accidental switching on: lock the panel, hang a sign “Do not switch on - people are working!”
Dismantling the switch
All manipulations must be performed without excessive force. The body of a modern switch is smooth, the fastening elements are hidden from view.
The material used for most parts is various types of plastic, metal parts are installed in the most necessary components, and sometimes ceramics are present.
All disassembly operations are performed without excessive force.
Contact density is ensured in 2 ways:
- screw clamp (unscrew and remove the current conductor);
- self-clamping terminal (press the lever and pull out the conductor).
If the contact overheats during operation, the metal parts may burn and the adjacent insulation may become charred. You can bite off the burnt section of the wire and not waste time and effort trying to tear off the soldered thread. The damaged part of the core must be removed in such a way that the remaining length is sufficient for a new connection. Detailed instructions For information on how to properly remove the switch, watch this video:
For the convenience of subsequent installation in place of a new switch, the ends of the wires can be immediately marked (phase, neutral, jumper). If it is not installed immediately new device, bare ends need to be insulated.
When facing repair work in an apartment there is a need to remove the switch from the wall. This is due to the fact that painting the walls and hanging wallpaper in the apartment, without removing the switches It’s possible, but it won’t work out neatly. 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 an edging of bare wall will be formed around it.
Preparing to dismantle the switch.
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 this yourself. But before you begin dismantling, you should turn off the power to the apartment, especially if you have no experience in handling electricity. In order to de-energize the apartment, you should turn off the machine on the panel where the electric meter is located or unscrew the plug.
To work you will need:
flashlight, Phillips screwdriver, thin flat-head screwdriver
Screwdrivers must have plastic or rubber handles.
Important: Even with the slightest work with electricity, it is necessary to keep your hands completely dry.
Step-by-step removal of the switch from the wall
First you need to determine 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 remove them initially. Hold the buttons with your fingers on either side and gently pull them out. on yourself, on some models need to be clamped not on the sides, but on the top and bottom.
If it seems that the buttons give in, but do not come out of the grooves, you need to use a thin flat-head 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, it can also be removed using a screwdriver. And only after that the buttons are removed, following the example above.
Next, you should consider the frame fasteners. With conventional plastic holders, the frame is removed by lightly tightening it with a screwdriver. Sometimes the frame is attached to small bolts; to remove them you will need a Phillips screwdriver.
Having removed the frame, all that remains is to remove the switch housing itself from the wall. Usually there are two to four bolts on the metal part of the case that should be removed. After removing the case, all that remains is to disconnect the wires themselves.
Important: in some models, the body is mounted on sharp spacer feet. They must be removed very carefully, as they can severely damage the plaster. To remove this type of fastener, the paws are pressed inward, towards each other.
Disconnecting the wires from the body is done by unscrewing the mounting bolts from the switch body. Next, the wires are carefully removed from the housing. The wire must be removed very carefully, especially in apartments with old wiring so as not to damage.
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 you need to remove the switch before installing or removing wallpaper without subsequent replacement, you can limit yourself to only removing the buttons and frame.
Important: you should not make large overlaps of wallpaper onto the switch hole; they should be cut off with a paint knife; this is required by safety regulations.
