Lighting control panel

[andy757]

I have a panel with 8 switches for my layout lighting.

I understand the basic principle of how to turn a lamp on/off with a switch but am getting confused now there are multiple lamps.

Does anyone on here have a very simple wiring diagram that shows power going to a connector block then to the switch then to the lamps etc ?

The panel came with miniature on/off switches but they have 3 terminals. Surely they should only have 2 ?

[Brian]

The switches with three terminals are SPDT (Single Pole Double Throw) meaning that both end tabs are On to the middle tab depending on the switches lever position.
These switches are sometimes called On-On type. However the good news is they can be used as On-Off switches. To use them in this way wire the feed to the middle tab and use one ends wiring tab only for the switched output.
Remember... When the toggle (lever) is Up or to the right the bottom or left hand side tab is making connection to the middle tab i.e. Its the opposite end tab to the levers position.

[andy757]

Thank you.
I must be going stupid as I don't understand how I get power from the switch to each lamp.

[Walkingthedog]

One lead from power supply to one side of switch. Wire from other side of switch to one wire on lamp. Other wire on lamp to other side of power supply. Power goes from one side of power supply through the switch, if it is switched on, through the bulb lighting it up and back to other side of power supply.

[Ron S]

Have a read of this site
https://brian-lambert.co.uk/Electrical_ ... Bookmark10

[Walkingthedog]

Brian’s already been helping him on here.

[andy757]

I have followed the guidance line by line and the lamps do not work. Well, one set does but when I connect the next lamp in exactly the same way, it does not.

So I have given up and have asked someone to build me a small panel, pre-wired so that all I have to do is plug in the 12v supply and connect the 2 ends from each lamp.

[Tricky Dicky]

Assuming these lamps have bulbs rather than LEDs

1. Connect one connection on all the bulbs together.

2. From the connection you have just made connect a wire to the 0V (-) connection on your PSU.

3. Connect the other connection on each lamp to one of the outside terminals on each switch.

4. Connect the centre terminals on each switch together and connect this connection to the 12v (+) connection on your PSU.

You should now be able to switch on 8 lamps individually. If you want a switch to switch on more than one lamp simply connect a lamp to the main 0V connection and the same outer terminal of the required switch.

If your lamps have LEDs then you can use the same method but need to observe polarity as they only emit light connected one way and of course you will need a resistor in series if they do not have one already. A good starting point resistor @12V is a 1K increasing the value if the LEDs are too bright.

Come back if you are still puzzled

Richard

[Brian]

Thank you.
I must be going stupid as I don't understand how I get power from the switch to each lamp.

Each switch has two end terminals. Select one on each switch and use the same one on all other switches i.e let say the bottom or right tab.. Each switch then has a wire running directly to the lamps on the layout from this tab that the switch is to control.
From the positive of the power supply run a wire to first switches middle tab. Then link all other switches middle tabs together from the first one. (Daisy chain them).
Out on the layout, connect each wire from a switch to one lead of the lamps that the switch is to control. Note: Several lamps can be connected to this one wire and will all work when the switch is On.
Then connect together all the lamps second wires and take one master wire back to the power supply negative.

If the 'lamps' are LEDs it is important that they are the correct way around with their longer lead to the positive switched wire. All LED short leads join together and go to the negative supply. If the LEDs are standard type and not 12 volt rated (Assuming a 12 volt power supply is being used) each LED needs a series resistor wired into its positive feed. Usually a 1K0 (1000 Ohm) resistor is ideal on 12v DC. The resistor fitting to the longer LED lead and its other end to the wire coming from the switch.
Filament lamps can be connected either way around, but depending on their voltage rating may also need a series resistor.