The main types of switches used in homes to activate electrical appliances are the toggle switch and rocker switch. Light switches are often mounted on the wall near a doorway, allowing a person entering a room to flip the switch to turn on the lights.

Three-way switches allow for a light or a ceiling fan to be turned on or off from two different locations. Used in pairs, a three-way switch is installed in each of the locations from which the fixture is to be controlled, such as at the top and bottom of a stairway.

Dimmer switches are devices used to control the brightness of the light in a room and can usually be installed in place of standard switches. You can find them in a variety of styles such as the slider, tap dimmer and rotary type dimmer.

Some switches have a small light that comes on when the switch is off, making it easy to find the switch in the dark. Another type of switch operates with a photoelectric cell, turning the light on at night and off during the day.

One will notice that switches are often placed at heights that are not easily accessible for people in wheelchairs or with other disabilities. Some elderly people may also have difficulty operating the switches commonly installed in the home.