Double Switch

What is a Double Switch?

A double switch is a component that combines two independent switches (Switch A and Switch B) into a single unit. Each switch operates independently and has its own two positions, allowing you to control two different circuits from one wall plate location. This is perfect for controlling two lights, a light and a fan, or any combination of two electrical loads from a single convenient location.

Adding a Double Switch to Your Canvas

Step 1: Open the Component Library

1. Click the Components button in the sidebar
2. Open the Control category
3. Find the Double Switch component

Step 2: Place on Canvas

1. Click and hold the Double Switch icon
2. Drag it onto your canvas
3. Release to place it at the desired location
4. Both switches will appear in Position 1 (default state)

💡 Tip: Double switches are ideal for rooms where you need to control multiple things from one location, like a bathroom (light + fan) or bedroom (overhead light + bedside lamp).

Understanding the Two Independent Switches

The double switch has two separate switches:

Switch A (Left Side)

• Controls the first circuit independently
• Has Position 1 and Position 2
• Shows green when in Position 2 during simulation
• Can be toggled independently of Switch B

Switch B (Right Side)

• Controls the second circuit independently
• Has Position 1 and Position 2
• Shows green when in Position 2 during simulation
• Can be toggled independently of Switch A

Independent Operation

• Each switch operates completely independently
• Switch A can be in Position 1 while Switch B is in Position 2
• You can create four different combinations: (A1,B1), (A1,B2), (A2,B1), (A2,B2)
• Perfect for controlling two different things separately

Switch Terminals

The double switch has 12 terminals total (6 for each switch):

Switch A Terminals (Left Side)

Line Terminals A (Always Connected):

• L_A_1 (top-left) - Line input terminal 1 for Switch A
• L_A_2 (top-right) - Line input terminal 2 for Switch A

Position 1 Terminals A:

• 1_A_1 (middle-left) - Position 1 output terminal 1 for Switch A
• 1_A_2 (middle-right) - Position 1 output terminal 2 for Switch A

Position 2 Terminals A:

• 2_A_1 (bottom-left) - Position 2 output terminal 1 for Switch A
• 2_A_2 (bottom-right) - Position 2 output terminal 2 for Switch A

Switch B Terminals (Right Side)

Line Terminals B (Always Connected):

• L_B_1 (top-left) - Line input terminal 1 for Switch B
• L_B_2 (top-right) - Line input terminal 2 for Switch B

Position 1 Terminals B:

• 1_B_1 (middle-left) - Position 1 output terminal 1 for Switch B
• 1_B_2 (middle-right) - Position 1 output terminal 2 for Switch B

Position 2 Terminals B:

• 2_B_1 (bottom-left) - Position 2 output terminal 1 for Switch B
• 2_B_2 (bottom-right) - Position 2 output terminal 2 for Switch B

How They Work

Switch A: When in Position 1, L_A connects to 1_A terminals. When in Position 2, L_A connects to 2_A terminals.

Switch B: When in Position 1, L_B connects to 1_B terminals. When in Position 2, L_B connects to 2_B terminals.

Each switch independently directs power through different paths!

Editing Double Switch Properties

Opening the Properties Panel

1. Click on the double switch to select it
2. The properties panel appears on the right side of the screen
3. Or double-click the switch to open properties

Selecting the Brand

The Brand property lets you choose the manufacturer:

Available Options:

• Legrand (default) - French manufacturer, common in Europe
• Schneider - Another major European brand

This setting:

• Changes the visual appearance of the double switch
• Helps match real-world equipment for accurate planning
• Maintains consistency with other components in your plan

Wiring a Double Switch

Basic Dual Light Control

The most common use case - controlling two lights independently:

Step-by-step wiring:

For Switch A (Light 1):

1. Connect L_A_1 and L_A_2 to power source (circuit breaker)
2. Connect 1_A_1 to Light 1’s Phase terminal
3. Connect 1_A_2 to Light 1’s Neutral terminal
4. Leave Position 2 A terminals unconnected (for on/off control)

For Switch B (Light 2):

1. Connect L_B_1 and L_B_2 to power source (circuit breaker)
2. Connect 1_B_1 to Light 2’s Phase terminal
3. Connect 1_B_2 to Light 2’s Neutral terminal
4. Leave Position 2 B terminals unconnected (for on/off control)

Result:

• Switch A in Position 1 = Light 1 ON
• Switch A in Position 2 = Light 1 OFF
• Switch B in Position 1 = Light 2 ON
• Switch B in Position 2 = Light 2 OFF
• Each light is controlled independently!

Shared Power Supply

For efficiency, both switches can share the same power source:

1. Connect circuit breaker output to a junction box or Wago connector
2. From junction box, wire to L_A_1 and L_A_2 for Switch A
3. From junction box, wire to L_B_1 and L_B_2 for Switch B
4. This way, one circuit breaker powers both switches
5. Wire outputs to respective devices as normal

💡 Tip: Using a junction box to distribute power keeps your wiring neat and organized.

Using Double Switches in Simulation Mode

Starting the Simulation

1. Click the Simulate button in the toolbar (or press S)
2. Your circuit becomes interactive
3. Both switches start in Position 1

Toggling the Switches

1. Click on Switch A (left side) to toggle Switch A’s position
2. Click on Switch B (right side) to toggle Switch B’s position
3. Each switch turns green when in Position 2
4. Both switches operate completely independently

Observing Behavior

• Devices connected to Switch A’s Position 1 terminals work when Switch A is in Position 1
• Devices connected to Switch A’s Position 2 terminals work when Switch A is in Position 2
• Same logic applies to Switch B independently
• You can create any combination of switch positions

Testing Combinations

Try these combinations during simulation:

• Both Position 1: Both devices controlled by Position 1 terminals are on
• A Position 1, B Position 2: First device on, second device controlled by Position 2
• A Position 2, B Position 1: First device controlled by Position 2, second device on
• Both Position 2: Both devices controlled by Position 2 terminals are on

Common Wiring Patterns

Pattern 1: Two Independent Lights

Power Source → Double Switch L_A and L_B terminals
Switch A Position 1 terminals → Ceiling Light
Switch B Position 1 terminals → Wall Sconces
(Position 2 terminals unconnected for on/off control)

Result: Independent control of ceiling light and wall sconces

Pattern 2: Bathroom Light and Fan

Power Source → Double Switch L_A and L_B terminals
Switch A Position 1 terminals → Bathroom Light
Switch B Position 1 terminals → Exhaust Fan
(Position 2 terminals unconnected)

Result: Independent control of bathroom light and fan - very common setup!

Pattern 3: Bedroom Overhead and Bedside

Power Source → Double Switch L_A and L_B terminals
Switch A Position 1 terminals → Overhead Light
Switch B Position 1 terminals → Bedside Lamp Outlet
(Position 2 terminals unconnected)

Result: Control both overhead light and bedside lamp from one switch near the door

Pattern 4: Kitchen Under-Cabinet and Overhead

Power Source → Double Switch L_A and L_B terminals
Switch A Position 1 terminals → Overhead Kitchen Lights
Switch B Position 1 terminals → Under-Cabinet Lighting
(Position 2 terminals unconnected)

Result: Independent control of task lighting and general lighting

Advanced Applications

Four-State Lighting System

Use both positions of both switches for complex control:

Switch A controls Main Light:

• Position 1 → Full brightness
• Position 2 → Dimmed (via resistor or dimmer circuit)

Switch B controls Accent Lighting:

• Position 1 → Accent lights on
• Position 2 → Accent lights off

This creates 4 different lighting scenes from one double switch!

Appliance Selection

Control which of multiple appliances receives power:

Switch A:

• Position 1 → Coffee Maker powered
• Position 2 → Coffee Maker off

Switch B:

• Position 1 → Toaster powered
• Position 2 → Toaster off

Manage kitchen appliance power from one location (prevents overloading circuit).

Practical Applications

Common Room Applications

Bathroom:

• Switch A: Vanity Light
• Switch B: Exhaust Fan

Bedroom:

• Switch A: Overhead Light
• Switch B: Ceiling Fan

Kitchen:

• Switch A: Overhead Lights
• Switch B: Under-Cabinet Lights

Living Room:

• Switch A: Ceiling Light
• Switch B: Wall Outlet (for lamps)

Home Office:

• Switch A: Overhead Lights
• Switch B: Desk Lamp Circuit

Garage:

• Switch A: Main Garage Lights
• Switch B: Workbench Lights

Special Applications

• Holiday decorations: One switch for indoor, one for outdoor
• Security lighting: One for front, one for back
• Aquarium setup: One for lights, one for filter/pump
• Home theater: One for main lights, one for accent/LED strips

Best Practices

Installation Planning

1. Height: Mount at standard switch height, 42-48 inches (107-122 cm) above floor
2. Location: Position where both controlled devices are relevant
3. Labeling: Consider labeling or marking which switch controls what
4. Common Locations: Main room entry points where you’d want dual control

Wiring Organization

1. Color coding: Use consistent wire colors for each switch
2. Junction boxes: Use junction boxes to keep wiring neat
3. Wire management: Keep Switch A wires grouped separately from Switch B wires
4. Documentation: Note which switch (A or B) controls which device

Design Considerations

1. Logical pairing: Group related functions (light + fan, not random combinations)
2. User experience: Think about what users expect from each switch position
3. Consistency: If you have multiple double switches, keep similar functions on the same side (A or B)
4. Future changes: Leave some flexibility for rewiring if needs change

Troubleshooting

Only One Switch Works

• Check wiring: Verify both Switch A and Switch B L terminals are connected to power
• Check outputs: Ensure both switches have their position terminals wired to devices
• Verify switches: Try toggling each switch individually during simulation

Both Switches Control the Same Thing

• Check terminal connections: You may have wired both switches to the same device
• Review circuit: Make sure Switch A outputs go to Device A, Switch B outputs go to Device B

Switch Doesn’t Stay in Position

• Note: In simulation, switches stay in the position you click them to
• Physical installation: This would be a mechanical issue with the actual switch hardware

Can’t Tell Which Switch is Which

• Visual: Switch A is on the left, Switch B is on the right
• Testing: In simulation, toggle one at a time to see which device responds
• Labeling: Add annotations to your plan to mark which is which

Safety Considerations

Real-World Installation

⚠️ Important: This documentation is for planning in Elecplanner. For actual electrical installations:

• Always hire a licensed electrician
• Follow all local electrical codes
• Obtain proper permits and inspections
• Use properly rated double switches for your application
• Never work on live electrical circuits

Switch Ratings

In real installations, each switch in the double switch unit is rated for:

• Voltage: 120V, 240V, etc.
• Amperage: Typically 15A per switch
• Total load: Consider the combined load of both switches
• Type: General purpose switches (not dimmers unless specified)

Make sure your real-world double switch can handle both circuits’ requirements!

Load Balancing

• Don’t exceed the total capacity of the double switch unit
• Consider the wire gauge for both circuits
• Ensure circuit breakers are properly sized
• Balance high-load devices across different circuits when possible

Related Topics

• Switch - Single switch component
• Light - Connecting lights to switches
• Circuit Breaker - Power source for switches
• Junction Box - Organizing wire connections
• Wiring Basics - General wiring techniques
• Simulation Mode - Testing double switch behavior

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💡 Quick Tip: When planning double switches, think about what two things you’d naturally want to control from the same spot. Bathroom light + fan is a classic pairing, but get creative based on your space’s needs!