Electrical Switch Installation In The Phoenix Metro Area
Johnson Power Solutions is a residential, commercial and emergency electrician headquartered In Gilbert, and providing service throughout the entire Phoenix Metropolitan Area. The service area includes every municipality from Sun City West to Florence, Fountain Hills to Casa Grande and everywhere in between. See our full service area.
Expert technicians at JPS have been providing electrical services for over 15 years and can handle any home electrical project, big or small. This includes everything from the electrical panel where the home receives electricity from the city to all switches, outlets, lights and other electrical fixtures.
Electrical switches allow the user to activate or interrupt an electrical circuit. When the circuit is complete, then electricity is supplied to the end device or fixture. Of course you don’t want to be paying for electricity constantly, so a switch allows you to turn it on when you need it and off when you don’t.
Different Types of Electrical Switches
Electrical switches can vary based on design and function. The traditional toggle switch is still very common, but there are others to choose from.
Toggle Switch
The toggle switch is mostly a design type of switch, as a small square-like protrusion in the center of the switch. It can have specific features based on functionality, such as an “off” label to indicate which direction is off. This only present on a single-pole switch (described in more detail below), and absent on circuits that include multiple switches, since the off position can change.
Rocker Switch
A rocker switch is a little larger, but also flatter than the traditional toggle. As a sleeker design it is considered more modern, and in newer homes can even be more common than toggle switches.
There can be variations where the size of the switch is smaller, or it can have an indicator light, or it can be combined with other features described below. It can be vertical or horizontal. Horizontal rockers are usually smaller. Smaller rockers are also commonly combined with other features or used on a multi-switch panel.
Touch-Activated Switches
Touch activated switches appear even sleeker and more futuristic than rocker switches. Toggle and rocker switches have the actual mechanical switch locally as part of their inherent design, but a touch-activated switch can be separate from it’s point of command, where the touch occurs, and where the mechanical switch is actually located. Smart devices make this even more complicated to describe because the point of command is a virtual switch on your mobile device, but it commands an actual mechanical switch somewhere along the circuit.
Touchless, Motion Sensor Switches
There are at least two kinds of motion-activated switches that are currently sold by manufacturers. The first kind is part of a motion sensor for an entire room (Occupancy Sensor). This turns the light on when you enter the room or when there is any movement in the room. It’s great for offices or homes that want the lights to turn off and save energy when people leave the room. The second kind is a close proximity sensor where it’s made so you manually wave your hand in front of it (Vacancy Sensor).
Timer Switch
A timer switch has a built-in timer so that you can schedule when lights come on and off.
Anti-Microbial Switches & Wallplates
The actual design of the switch and switch covers are simialr to traditional switches, but they are made with materials or coated with an anti-microbial layer to prevent the spread of germs.
Single-Pole Switch
At this point we begin to describe more of the functional side of switch design and circuits. A single-pole switch has one switch that controls the end outlet or fixture. If the switch has a toggle design, then it can have an “off” label to indicate which position is off.
A single pole switch has two brass terminals – the point of contact which completes the electrical circuit, so that electricity is supplied to the end outlet or fixture.
Double Pole Switch
A double pole switch has one switch for the circuit, so it can have on/off labels. It has four brass terminals and is used in circuits for higher amperage and voltage.
As explained on the outlets page, the more common outlets are 15-20 amps, 125 volts. A double pole switch would be used for any end outlet or fixture that requires more. It may require 30 amps or 240 volts. The circuit would also have a double pole breaker in the breaker box.
Three-Way Switch
A three-way switch would have two switches and an end outlet or fixture. They do not have on/off markings since one switch can change the off position for the other switch. Either switch can complete or interrupt the circuit. They have three brass terminals. The number of brass terminals becomes more important for more complex circuits and circuits that require higher power.
A three-way switch is convient when you want to control the end outlet or fixture from two different locations, such as both ends of a hallway, or near two different doorways.
Four-Way Switch
Similar to a three-way switch which has 2 switches, a four-way switch has 3 switches and an end outlet or fixture. Indeed there could be multiple fixtures. And the circuitry can vary between at least two different layouts. There can even be designs with more switches but the is the higher range of what you might find in residential systems. It’s used in really large hallways or rooms with multiple doorways.
Smart Switches
As described with the touch-activated design above, smart switches usually have a touch-activated command location which can be a touch-sensitive flat panel on the wall or a mobile device, and it commands an actual mechanical switch somewhere along the circuit.
Smart devices allow you to automate your home and use energy more efficiently. Any end device controlled by a smart switch can be controlled anywhere in the world with your mobile device, as long as you have internet access. Smart switches are usually used in combination with smart outlets and other smart devices, such as video doorbells for complete home automation and improved home security.
Dimmer Switches
Dimmer switches are used in various lighting arrangements and gives you the option to change the intensity of your lighting according to the desired mood or ambience.
Dimmer switch design can vary. It can be a thin side slider immediately next to a toggle or rocker switch. It can be a rotating dimmer which is circular-shaped. It can be a full-width slider that takes the same space as a typical rocker switch. If it’s a smart switch with a dimmer then it can be a tap and drag virtual switch.
A “dimmer” type switch can also be used to control the speed of ceiling fans.
Switched Outlets
As explained on the outlets page, this when the outlet is controlled by a switch. This conveniently allows you to turn off the device without having to unplug it.
Switch Outlet Combinations
This is when a switch and an outlet use the same electrical box to house both at the same time, and they are located next to each other, but the circuitry is not any different than if they were apart, except for a little more wiring.
(Many of these images are from Leviton, Legrand, and Lite Rite. Johnson Power Solutions can install or service devices from any manufacturer.)
Electrical Switch Installation, Relocation, Repair or Replacement
As a residential and commercial electrician, Johnson Power Solutions can install, repair or replace any of the switches mentioned above, as a well as any special circuitry required. Here are some common reasons why you might need your switches to be serviced:
- Home new builds — of course a home new build involves complete planning of the entire electrical system, which includes all traditional and upgraded switches, outlets and wiring.
- Home remodels, updating and upgrading – one example of home updating when it comes to switches is changing a toggle switch for a rocker. You could also upgrade to smart switches for home automation.
- Installing a dimmer for mood lighting – mood lighting can be especially desirable in the dining room, bedroom or bathroom. This can be done as its own service or as part of a home remodel. If you’re installing a jetted tub in the bathroom, new lighting and a dimmer switch would go perfectly with it.
- Damaged or defective switch repair and replacement – most switches are built to last but they can be defective from the manufacturer or get damaged in multiple cases.
- Re-locate switches – If you feel a switch is not located properly then we can relocate it for you, or change a circuit from a single-pole switch to a three-way or more. Do you have a panel with three or more switches but the order seems off to you? We can switch the switches around.
- Insufficient number of switches – as mentioned above we can convert a single-pole switch to a three-way or more. If you want to change a light fixture into a ceiling fan and a light, then we can install an additional switch so you have one switch for the light and one for the fan.
Why Choose Johnson Power Solutions For Electrical Switch Services?
As a family-owned and operated business, Johnson Power Solutions can provide higher quality services at a more competitive price than the big box companies. This is because our team works with you on a more personal level and costs are kept lean. Johnson Power Solutions has expert technicians which have been providing electrical services for over 15 years. They don’t just know how to fix home electrical systems, they do it with a precise and “type A” method so you know your home electrical system is in excellent order. If you have any electrical switch issues in your home or business, then contact Johnson Power Solutions today for electrical switch installation, relocation, repair or replacement.