8 Types of Electrical Wall Switches and How to Choose

Specialty Switch

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• Best for: Meeting specific needs of a light or appliance

There are several types of specialty switches that go beyond simply turning on and off a light or appliance. For instance, some switches have timers that will turn on and off the light or appliance at the same time every day. This is a good option for outside lights, allowing you to turn them on after dark even if you’re not home and turn them off right after sunrise to avoid wasting energy. Similarly, there are time-delay switches that will leave a light or appliance on for a preset amount of time after it’s turned on and then shut it off automatically.

Other switches also include an outlet to allow you an additional place to plug in electronics. Moreover, besides toggles and knobs, there are also touch switches that involve a flat touchpad that you push to control the electric current.  

Furthermore, some speciality switches are meant specifically for LED and CFL bulbs and often must be used if your fixture has dimmable energy-saving bulbs. Plus, there are specialty switches that can control the speed of fans, along with their light components if they have them.