Jamb switches are mounted in doors and activate lights when opened or closed. They are commonly used in cars, refrigerators, and small rooms for convenience and safety. They can also be used as discreet warning lights. Replacement is easy but requires cutting off power.
A jamb switch is a light switch that is mounted in a door and designed to activate when the door is opened and closed. Two common locations for jamb switches are car doors and refrigerator doors. These switches are used in rooms where people want lights to turn on instantly when people enter a space, for convenience or safety reasons. Replacement post switches are manufactured by several manufacturers and are usually sold with other door fittings and components.
Typically, a jamb switch turns on a light when the door is opened and turns off the light when the door is closed. It contains a small mechanical component that moves when the door does, opening and closing a circuit. Jamb switches are usually very small, as they need to fit in a compact space. The light can be controlled solely with the switch or have a manual switch option for settings where more operational control is required.
In vehicles, jamb switches activate the courtesy light when the door is opened to assist drivers as they enter and exit their cars. In some models, the light remains on for a specified period of time after the door is closed to provide ambient safety lighting for the driver. Refrigerators, including both floor-standing and walk-in models, typically use jamb switches so people can see inside when they open the door. Some closets and other small rooms may use a switch on the jamb to activate a light when the door is opened for convenience.
A door-operated light switch can also be a handy safety feature. Jamb switches can be used to turn on a discreet warning light when a door is opened to let people running shops and other establishments know when and where doors are being opened. Whilst a doorbell can also be used to warn there may be reasons why people want a silent warning when the door is opened and a jamb switch can be fitted in the door to provide this.
Replacing a malfunctioning jamb switch is relatively easy, as long as people get the right part. Part of the door usually needs to be taken apart, usually with screws and an access plate, and the old switch can be removed and replaced. Power must be cut off to the circuit before working on it for safety. If people want to install a new jamb switch, more work may be required, as the wiring will need to be done to the door.
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