When installing direct current (DC) appliances, including a switch to turn the item on and off is a critical part of the installation. Setting up an interior light, a speaker and subwoofer combination or a bank of LEDs always requires a switch to turn them on or off. While adding a switch when building a project from scratch is easiest, adding a switch to an existing installation is also possible.
- Switch
- Soldering iron and solder (optional)
- Wire stripper and cutter
If necessary or desired, mount the switch to the chassis of the powered item. This helps prevent wear and tear on the wires and prevents short-circuiting.
Always make sure the switch is rated for the current that you will be passing through it. Passing too high of a current through a switch will result in switch failure at best, and a short circuit or a fire at worst.
If high voltages are involved or if you doubt your own abilities, consult a licensed electrician.
Determine where you would like to put the switch. The most common place to put it is directly between the power supply and the item being powered.
Find the positive wire—most likely red—going from the power supply to the item. Cut it with the wire cutters, preferably about in the middle of the wire's length.
Use the wire strippers to strip 1/4 to 1/2 inch from the cut ends of the wire.
Attach the two stripped ends to the two terminals of the switch. Most simple switches have two terminals and are wired inline. If the terminals are of the screw variety, loosen the screw with a screwdriver, wrap the stripped wire around the screw, and then tighten it.
If the terminals are not of the screw variety, or if a better connection is desired, use the soldering iron and solder to solder the connection, ensuring that it is tight and electrically sound.
Things You'll Need
Tips
Warnings
References
- "Electricity Demystified"; Stan Gibilisco; McGraw Hill; 2008
Tips
- If necessary or desired, mount the switch to the chassis of the powered item. This helps prevent wear and tear on the wires and prevents short-circuiting.
- Always make sure the switch is rated for the current that you will be passing through it. Passing too high of a current through a switch will result in switch failure at best, and a short circuit or a fire at worst.
Warnings
- If high voltages are involved or if you doubt your own abilities, consult a licensed electrician.
About the Author
Wolfram Donat is an information technology professional and writer currently finishing a degree in computer systems engineering. He has had success writing for both on- and offline audiences, and moonlights as a professional copywriter as studies permit. He is currently shopping his first novel to agents and publishers, and is hard at work on his second.
Photo Credits
switch image by Clark Duffy from Fotolia.com