Lighted Switches Clearly Indicate Which Lights Are in Use
Ever been developing prints in a photography darkroom with the red safety lamps on when someone flips on the overhead lights and fogs your photo? Prevent this type of darkroom disaster with illuminated light switches. Choosing the proper switch can get confusing, so follow these guidelines to update your lighting based on your electrical switch arrangement:
Red Light and White Light Switches Inside Darkrooms
Safelights - Choose a red pilot light with a handle that is illuminated when ON. So inside the darkened room there will be a visual warning that the red lights are in use in case it is not immediately obvious (perhaps the red lights are subtle or off in a corner, for example).
White Lights - Choose a clear lighted switch that is illuminated when OFF. This shows you where the switch is in the dark. The switch is off when the overhead lights are on because it is obvious at that point. (Alternately, you can choose a clear pilot light switch that is illuminated when ON if your switches are right by the door and you prefer not to use the more affordable locator switch. You don't really need a little pilot switch to tell you that the overhead lights are on.)
Why This Works - With this setup, if both lights are off (safe to turn on either) the white lighted switch shows you where they your wallplate is located so you can find and select either device depending upon your working situation. Just flip on the red lamps to start developing your photographs, or turn on the regular fixtures to do general work. You'll no longer have to worry about someone inadvertently turning on the overhead lights when photos are being exposed.
3-Way Red and White Light Switches Inside and Outside Darkroom
Some photography studios will have lights arranged in a 3-way setup (meaning that one light can be controlled from two locations, specifically inside and outside the darkroom). If switches in both locations are next to each other, then set them up this way:
Safelights - Choose 3-way red pilot lights with handles that are illuminated when ON. Both inside and outside the room there will be a visual warning that the red lights are in use. Note that three-way lights are used in pairs - both locations need them to control the load (light fixture).
White Lights - Choose 3-way clear lighted pilot switches that are illuminated when ON. This will provide a visual notice that the overhead lights are in use inside the room so it is safe to open the door and enter. This also is a reminder that lights have been left on in the room so that they need to be shut off prior to leaving the area.
Why This Works - In this setup the switch handles clearly indicate which lights are currently in use - whether darkroom safelights or overhead lighting fixtures - from both inside and outside the room. This arrangement allows the person working inside the room to control the lights as needed without leaving the room and risking damage to the photos. At the same time anyone outside the room will know if someone is already working inside.
Red Switch Only Inside Darkroom, White Light Outside
Safety Light Only - Choose a red locator light - the handle is illuminated when the light is OFF.
Why This Works - If you just have one separate switch for the red safety lights inside your darkroom and you have to walk through the dim room to find it, a red locator light that is illuminated when off will make it easy to find and identify - because it is red, those using it will have no fear that it controls the white lights. Note that the handle light turns off when you flip it on.
If the darkroom is shared and you are concerned that someone might open the door even when the safelights are on allowing the outside light to overexpose photographs, then we recommend putting a "Knock First" or "In Use" sign outside the door (or putting a lock on the door to prevent entry).
General Tips
Because of the risk of destroying hours of fine art photography work, we recommend using lighted toggle switches for these installations because the lighted handles are the most obvious. While Decora switches (the modern flat paddle types) can be used, they generally just have soft intermal glow lights or a small amber light bar at the top of the switch. This may or may not be enough to call attention to the importance of thinking before flipping the switch.
Shop a large selection of lighted switches to find the exact type you need for your project including amber lights or rocker style Decora switches.