Design of electrical services for buildings 4

say, fluorescent lighting. It was for this reason that some of the older switches had to be
de-rated when they were used for discharge lights, but switches in current production are
suitable for inductive loads up to their nominal rating.
A 5A rating is not as large as one might think at first sight. If ten tungsten lamps of
100W 230V each are controlled from one point, the total current to be switched is 4.35A.
However, discharge lights require control gear, power losses occur within the control
gear. This must be taken into consideration when calculating the current taken by the
discharge lights. The IEE Guidance Note 1 Selection and Erection of Equipment, and the
IEE On-Site Guide recommends that the input current to a discharge light is calculated by
(rated lamp watts×1.8)/supply voltage. Alternatively the manufacturers data should be
used which will yield a more economical value. For lighting schemes in larger buildings
such as public buildings, it is often advisable to use switches higher than the lowest
ratings.
When the switch is cabled and inserted in its box it needs a front plate over it. This is
often a loose component with a hole which fits over the dolly or rocker and which is
screwed to lugs on the box. Standard boxes always have lugs for that purpose. A switch
with a separate front plate is called a grid switch. Alternatively the switch may be a plate
switch, in which case the front plate is made as part of the switch and not as a separate
piece. Both plate and grid switches are illustrated in Figure 1.3.
Grid switches are so called because with this type several mechanisms can be
assembled on a special steel grid. This makes it possible for banks of any number of
switches to be made up from individual mechanisms. Standard grids and front plates are
available for almost any combination which may be required, and special boxes to take
these assemblies are also available.
The standard switch boxes described so far are intended either to be fixed on a wall or
to be recessed in it. Narrow boxes and switches are also made which can be recessed
within the width of the architrave of a door. These are known as architrave switches. The
grid switch shown in Figure 1.3 is of the architrave pattern.

Another type of switch is made which has no protruding lever or rocker, but is operated
by a key which has to be inserted into the switch. This type of switch is very useful for
schools and the public areas of blocks of flats. The caretaker has a key with which he can
operate the lights but unauthorized persons cannot turn lights on or off. They are useful
for simulating power failure on emergency lighting luminaires.
Safety regulations often make it impossible to use ordinary switches in certain zones
in bathrooms. For such situations ceiling switches are made, operated from an insulating
cord hanging from the switch. The cord rotates a cam through a ratchet. Thus when the
cord is pulled the cam is turned through a fraction of a turn and when the cord is released
the cam stays put. The switch has a fixed contact and a moving contact in the form of a
leaf spring. In the off position the spring keeps the contacts open. A pull on the cord turns
the cam and brings a lobe of the cam to press against the spring and close the contacts.
The next pull on the cord brings the lobe off the spring and allows the contacts to open.
Since each pull on the cord rotates the cam only part of a turn, the cam has several lobes
around its circumference. The switch itself is on the ceiling and the cord hangs down to
normal switch height.