Parallel light switches circuit. Lighting control from two, three or more places

To increase comfort and convenience in the operation of lighting devices, a pass-through switch is used: the connection diagram clearly shows the principle of operation of the switching device. With it, you can control the lighting of the room from any point in it. About the design features and the rules for installing the product are described in detail in this article.

Pass-through switches are used to organize the control of luminaires from several places

Pass-through switches are designed to turn on and off lighting from different parts of a room or a flight of stairs. This means that you can turn on the light, for example, when entering a room, and turn it off in another part of it. This principle of operation allows significant energy savings.

The pass switch in appearance does not differ from the usual one. Its front movable panel also shows up and down arrows. A conventional switch has one input and one output. In contrast, a pass-through device has one input and two outputs. This indicates that the current is not interrupted here, but is redirected to any of the outputs.

How to connect the outlet with your own hands. Description of preparatory measures and installation technology. Rules for handling the electrical network

If lighting control is planned from more places, additional cross switches are introduced into the general circuit, which are connected according to the above principle.

A three-wire cable is connected to each pass-through switch, and a four-wire cable is connected to the crossover switch. All wires used for connection must be of the same cross section. Switches that can operate at normal current of 6.10 and 16A must have the same rating. You can clearly see the connection diagram of the pass-through switches from 3 places on specialized sites on the Internet.

Wiring diagram for a two-gang pass-through switch

With the help of walk-through switches, you can control not only one lamp, but also a group of several lighting devices. To do this, connect two-gang switches. Each of them has six contacts. Common wires are determined according to the same principle as for conventional devices, but more wires are needed to ring.

The difference between the connection scheme of the double pass switch is that more wires are used here. The phase is fed to both inputs of the first switch. From the two inputs of the second switch, there should be wires for two lamps. In the case of organizing lighting control from three or more points, two cross switches should be installed for each of them, since they are only single-key.

In this case, according to the principle of connecting double switches with cross switches, the first pair of contacts should be connected to one cross, and the second to the other. If necessary, the devices are interconnected. The output of both cross switches must be connected to the last two-button adapter.

Well-known manufacturers of pass-through switches

Legrand is a leader in the electrical goods market. The demand for Legrand walk-through switches is due to the high quality of products, ease of installation, convenience in further operation, stylish design and flexible pricing. The only drawback is the need to adjust the mounting location. If it does not match the product, it may be difficult to install it, which is carried out according to the connection diagram of the Legrand feed-through switch.

A subsidiary of Legrand is the Chinese company Lezard. However, only a stylish design remained from the native brand. The build quality is much lower, due to the low cost of production.

One of the leading domestic manufacturers of electrical goods is the Wessen company, which is part of the Schneider Electric company. All products are manufactured using the latest technologies on modern foreign equipment and comply with European quality standards. Models have a universal stylish design that allows you to fit each element into any interior space. A distinctive feature of Wessen switches is the ability to replace the decorative frame without dismantling the device.

Another equally well-known manufacturer is the Turkish company Viko. Products are characterized by high workmanship, reliability and durability, meet the requirements of electrical safety and European quality standards. In the manufacture of the device case, fireproof durable plastic is used, which is designed for a large number of work cycles.

The Turkish brand Makel offers quality, reliable, safe and stylish products. Thanks to the possibility of connecting a loop without the need to use a junction box, the installation of switches becomes easier, and further operation is comfortable and safe.

Popular range of feed-through switches

Passage switches Legrand from the Velena series are distinguished by a stylish design and a variety of color variations. Here are presented one and two-key products that have a dust and moisture protective layer. You can buy a switch from 300 rubles.

The Celiane series includes products in which the circular keys are inscribed in a square. They can be non-contact with levers or silent. The cost of switches starts from 700 rubles. The Exclusive Celiane range includes a limited number of hand-crafted switches in marble, bamboo, porcelain, gold, myrtle and other materials. Frames are made to order. The price for the product starts from 5.9 thousand rubles.

The most popular series of switches from Lezard are Demet, Mira and Deriy. Here are products made of non-flammable polycarbonate, which meets the requirements of electrical safety. Conductive elements are made of phosphor bronze, which is characterized by high conductivity and low heating. You can buy a single-key switch through passage from 125 rubles.

The W 59 Frame series from Wessen uses a modular principle that allows you to install from 1 to 4 devices in one frame horizontally or vertically. The price of the product is 140 rubles. Single and double switches from the Asfora series are distinguished by a simple design, but high quality workmanship, which can be bought for 450 rubles.

Among the popular Makel series are Defne and Makel Mimoza. The body of the devices is made of high quality plastic, equipped with an internal reliable mechanism. The cost of products starts from 150 rubles.

The principle of operation and installation of switching devices do not present significant difficulties. It is necessary to first study the connection diagram and follow the recommendations of the electrical safety rules, which will make it possible to carry out reliable and safe installation of devices, thereby ensuring convenient and comfortable control of lighting fixtures in the house.

How to connect a pass switch: video connection diagrams

Usually one lighting structure is controlled by one electrical switch. That is, the chandelier located in the living room can only be turned off from the living room.

In addition, one switching device is usually installed per room, at the entrance. With its help, the electric lighting lamps in this room are controlled.

But there are often times when this way of controlling fixtures is inconvenient.

When the classic scheme may be inconvenient:

So, there are quite a few cases when a person needs duplicate toggle switches. In each of them will come to the rescue a device that allows you to turn lights on and off from different rooms, different keys and independently of each other.

This method is very practical and in addition to general convenience helps save energy. With the help of a walk-through electric switch, it is not necessary to leave the light, for example, on the porch, all night. You can simply turn it on from the top floor as needed and turn it off near the front door.

A through switch (switch) differs from a standard switching device in one design feature. It has three rather than two pins and can switch phase from one pin to the other two in turn.

Lighting lamps connected according to this principle can be both and. Moreover, in this way you can connect any device, in addition to lighting, requiring a similar on / off circuit.

Schematic features

The scheme for installing such devices is not complicated, but requires care.

IMPORTANT! At the stage of creating wiring in places where it is planned to install flip structures, you need to lay a three-core cable up to the first two, and if you want to install more switches, you need to stretch a four-core cable to the next.

To create this type of lighting control from two places, you will need walk-through switches with two switching positions and three contacts. Wherein switching must be reversible, that is, the first node will be common to the remaining two. In one of the switching positions, it closes the first, and in the other - the subsequent contact. The closure of three connections at once in this design is excluded.

If we consider the components of the power line circuit with two changeover switching structures, then it includes:

A junction box, otherwise called a junction box. Serves for protection of connections of electric cables.
It is installed in every room, and in large rooms there are several.
Connecting (two, three and four-wire)
Two loop-through switching devices
directly light

An approximate pass-through switch from two places looks like this:

The zero wire goes from the source to the junction box, and after it to the lamp.
The wire goes from the same source to the same box, and then to the common contact of the first switch.
The changeover contacts (two) of switch 1 are connected through a junction box to the same parts of switch 2.
The phase from the common contact of switch 2 goes to another electrical unit of the lamp.

An approximate connection diagram for a two-way passage is shown below in the photo:

Installation of a control system for one lighting device from two points is simple. He produced as follows:

Install changeover switching structures at the required places
Remove three-core cables from them
Mount an electric luminaire, or several, connected in parallel
Pull out a two-core cable from him (them)
Install connecting. The choice of a place for it is determined by the shortest cable length and convenient access to the box itself.
from power supply, flip structures and electric lighting devices
Connect them as described above

With this connection, four contacts (two pairs) from both points are connected to each other. To turn on the lighting, the phase goes to the lighting device from the common node of the electric switch 2.

For example, we suggest you watch a video that shows the connection diagram of the pass-through switches from two places:

Step by step installation

Installation of pass-through switches is possible both with and with a hidden type of wiring. It can be done on your own, subject to several safety rules:

Power off the apartment before starting work.
Carefully check where the phase is located, and where is zero.
Connect the wires with a neat twist, crimp and isolate them.
Hard fasten on the surfaces of the junction box and electrical fittings.
Determine the power of the lighting device and select a three-core cable of the appropriate section, based on the power consumption of electricity.

Scheme of switching on the pass-through switch from two places:

Due to its design, redundant electrical switches do not have a specific "on / off" position your key. Two connecting nodes in this design are in the "closed / open" position, depending on the position of the electrical contacts of the other switch. Therefore, the position of the key when the light is off will be different every time.

You can get used to this feature of use very quickly and use the pass-through switches without interference.

Alternative

An alternative to pass-through backup switches can be bistable relays or electric lamps equipped with motion and light sensors.

Bistable relays are more profitable to install if you want to control the lighting not by two, but by four or more electrical switches. Lamps with are not as practical as a pass-through switch. The speed of movement, the number of stops and other factors will affect the constant switching on / off of electric lighting, which is extremely inconvenient.

The ease of use of walk-through electrical switches in everyday life has made the above-described control scheme for lighting lamps very popular. At present, it is difficult to imagine a residential or industrial building where changeover switching structures are not used.

Significant energy savings lead to the widespread installation of such devices.
It is not difficult to make this type of control of electric lighting devices in your home if you follow the recommendations given in our article and follow the safety precautions.

In conclusion, we suggest you watch another informative and interesting video about the connection diagram and installation of walk-through switches from 2 places:

There are several ways to control lighting from different locations. I already wrote about some of them in one of my own. Today I want to consider the easiest way to control lighting from two places, which you can easily apply at home.

Let's imagine that you have a long corridor or passage room without natural light. In such cases, it is best to provide lighting control from two places. At the entrance, near each door, you must put one switch.

In the simplest case, I advise you to use the following lighting control scheme from two places:

The most interesting thing is that for this circuit you will not need to buy any additional pass-through switches or impulse relays.

To implement the proposed scheme for controlling a luminaire from two places, you will need two conventional switches, a terminal box and connecting cables (three-core and two-core). I don't think it should be difficult to assemble this circuit.

In this case, we lay a two-core cable from the second switch to the chandelier. In the chandelier, we disconnect one of the attached wires, in this case, the N wire is taken in the picture. We connect one end of the cable from the switch to the chandelier, and the other to the N wire.

Wiring diagram for a wired switch with 2 places. Do you know all the advantages and disadvantages of this electrical circuit? 3 important nuances of connection

TEST:

If you decide to implement the electrical circuit described in the article, it will be useful for you to take a little test to make sure that you are ready to go.

How many contacts does the PV have?

One;

Explanation: PV contains three contacts. One of them is “common”, and the other two are connected to the next PV.

There is no light in the room. First, the button of the first SP was pressed, then the second, and after that the first one again. Will the light stay on after these actions?

Explanation: Yes, because after the third action, the phase voltage will reach the bulb.

Can an PV circuit be implemented to operate with two lamps?

Explanation: Yes, two-button PVs are used for this.

electric lighting- an indispensable companion of any modern apartment. Light control is carried out using switches: one light source (an ordinary light bulb, or several lamps) has one switch. But this does not always suit the owners of the premises for some reason. That is why the question arises, how to make it possible to turn on the light bulb from two or more places at once? In this material, we will give a detailed answer to this question, as well as give a diagram of such an inclusion, and tell you how it works. PV scheme.

Why might you need a PV light circuit for 2 switches?

Situations when the implementation of such a scheme is necessary in a room or other room pass-through switch, are very diverse. For example, a large bedroom. It is very convenient to place a light switch by each bed so that each tenant has control over the lighting. In addition, you do not have to get to your sleeping place in the dark. When you enter the room, you turn on the light, and after you have taken your place in the bed, you turn it off.

It is also beneficial to use a similar scheme in small houses, the size 3-5 floors. If you make a light switch in the front room for each floor separately, this will result in the need to assemble extra control circuits.

When using a walk-through switch from two places, the tenant of the house will turn on the light when entering the entrance, and turn it off when he is on his floor.

Another example is a large office for several workplaces. The ability to turn off / turn on the light from two or more points at once makes such an office much more comfortable.

What does a walk-through switch with 2 or more places look like?

Pass-Through Circuit Breakers

It is impossible to distinguish externally a switch connected to a similar circuit on the outside. This is an ordinary one-button switch / switch. There is a two or more button version, which is used when the lighting is more complex, and each button turns on a specific lamp. Instead of a push button switch, and sensory, but the principle of operation remains the same.

Advantages and disadvantages of the PV scheme from 2 places

Such schemes inclusion has advantages and disadvantages. They follow from the very essence of the operation of such a switch. The benefits include:

Increasing the level of comfort. From the above examples, it is assumed that the use of the scheme allows you to get rid of the inconveniences that arise in everyday life;
Ease of execution. This wiring diagram is very simple in execution, and does not require the use of any additional specific equipment;

The disadvantage of such an implementation of lighting control is called only excessive consumption of electricity. Recall the above example about the entrance. Having entered it, a person turns on the light, and having already risen to his floor, turns it off. Lighting will continue to work on all floors until the occupant presses the switch. Such an expense cannot be impressive, and when it comes to small rooms, it is completely absent.

Scheme of a pass-through switch from two places

The figure shows the simplest lighting control circuit from two places using walk-through switches. Under the numbers 1 and 2 are the switches themselves. The phase wire is highlighted in red - that is, the wire through which the voltage flows. The diagram shows a single lamp as a light source in a simplified way, but more complex lighting is allowed in its place.

The figure shows how it works PV scheme: pressing any of the switches will turn off / on the light bulb. If the first switch transmitted voltage to the lamp, then pressing the second switch will turn off the light - at this point the phase wire will “break”. The opposite is also true. The diagram shows the situation when both switches are off. The light bulb will not be active in any button positions. But what happens in other situations? Let's consider each of the possible options.

In this diagram, the first switch was pressed in succession, and then the second. The green arrow shows how contact, after pressing the second button. It cuts off the flow of electric current, so the bulb becomes inactive.

Following this, the first switch was turned on again. The light bulb will light up again - the phase voltage will reach the light source. After pressing the first button, the light will turn off.

This is how the electrical circuit of the pass-through switch works from two places to one lamp. Its mechanism is quite simple and clear, it is briefly described as follows:

If both switches are on, the light source is active;
If one of the switches is on, the light source is active.
Both switches are off - the light source is inactive.

How to connect a pass switch

Application of the switching circuit from 2 places

Each of switches has two terminals. To put the above scheme into practice, it is necessary to find in each of them that contact terminal, where the contact is fixed on one side. Such a terminal is called "general". In one of the switches, phase voltage is connected to it, and in the other, a wire from a light source.

The remaining terminals are connected to each other. Any connection sequence. The neutral wire is indicated in blue in the diagram. It is conducted directly to the light source from the junction box.

There are five wire connections in the junction box.

3 safety nuances

When implementing the electrical circuit in life, you should remember 3 nuances:

In order to determine which wire is phase - use a special probe.
Do not use wires from different metals when connecting them "twisted". Due to the potential difference, ignition is provoked;
Use thick rubber gloves when working.

How to avoid 2 major connection mistakes

PV not set to zero. It is always connected to the phase conductor. Otherwise, if it is necessary to carry out repair work, even if the electricity is turned off, PV will not be de-energized, which will cause a dangerous situation;
PV It does not have an "Off" or "On" position. The button position only indicates one of two possible states.

Simple wiring diagram from four places

The principle of operation remains the same. But the circuit also includes two additional cross switches, necessary in order to ensure the connection of all contacts.

Work cross switches are independent of others. They can transmit voltage to the light source even if the pushbutton switches are in the inactive position. The schematic image shows that if the light is on, then pressing any of the buttons will turn it off. The reverse is also true.

This scheme expands to any number of lighting control points. But the main principle is preserved: at the beginning and end of the path (to the light bulb) of the phase wire there are two through switches. Between them are cross. Their number is equal to the number of desired lighting control points.

The five most frequently asked questions

Is it possible to make control of several light sources from two places using PV?

Yes, such implementation is possible. The double PV circuit for two bulbs will differ only in that each switch will have not one button, but several (by the number of lamps). Each button will only control the operation of the light bulb corresponding to it and will not affect the operation of the others.

Is it possible to make a light bulb control from three or more places using PV?

It is impossible to bring such a scheme to life using only pass-through switches. To solve this problem, parallel switches are additionally implemented, which allow you to increase the number of lighting control points to any desired number.

What is the difference between a pass switch and a normal switch?

The principle of operation of a conventional switch is quite simple - when you press the button, it either interrupts the electrical circuit, or, on the contrary, transfers the electric current further. PV works harder. Pressing the button switches between different contacts. The end result (whether the bulb will be activated or not) depends on the position of the other switches.

What is the difference between a through switch and a parallel switch?

A parallel switch, unlike a pass-through switch, contains as many as 5 contacts, which provide a more complex lighting control scheme that has a much larger number of options. There are only three contacts in the PV, one is common, and the other two serve to transmit voltage or break the electrical circuit - this depends on the position of the button.

What should you pay attention to when choosing a PV?

When choosing a PV, close attention should be paid to the specific type of device. They can differ in their characteristics, as well as in shape. Allocate PV open (for connection with open wiring) and closed type (For connection with wiring going inside the walls). The contacts of the device are designed for a specific electric current, so when choosing a model, you should focus on the expected load.

How to connect 4 PV?

Four PVs are connected using cross switches as described above.

Conclusion

In the article, we examined all the frequently asked questions on the topic of connecting pass-through switches. Using this material and passing the self-test test, you can easily bring the above electrical circuit to life.

Switching light sources according to the principle “approached, turned on - passed, turned off” is one of the options for the efficient use of electrical energy. The functionality of such a control system is provided by the same traditional devices - switches, but structurally somewhat modernized.

Switching modernization allows you to connect a pass-through switch from two or three places in order to control the light source from each individual point. Agree, this solution is especially convenient for long rooms, for example, a corridor.

We propose to understand the principles of connecting a pass-through switch to two and three control points. The article presents working schemes for organizing light groups, as well as describes the features of the implementation of switching projects.

The logic of saving electricity spent on lighting devices or others is explained by simple user actions.

If a lighting device is needed, electricity is supplied to it by simply closing the contact of the switch. Otherwise, the reverse action is performed.

A light source switch - interpreted by electrical slang - a pass-through switch. Provides a fundamentally new approach in terms of the operation of electrical sections of networks intended for the installation of lighting devices (+)

However, suppose that the room (residential or other purpose) is a walk-through. Then the user will turn on the light devices at the entrance, but leaving the room through another door, he will no longer be able to de-energize the circuit. There is an inefficient use of electricity.

But the situation is easy to fix. And the connection option from two places in the room for the pass-through scheme will help to do this.

Long corridors of premises for various purposes are potential objects for the installation of control systems for light sources from different places. It is during the operation of such premises that the urgent issue of saving electricity is an edge.

For example, there is a room with a functional purpose - a corridor. It is required to control a common group of luminaires in this room from two points - at the first (passing) and at the second (passing) door.

Switching light from two places

The lighting of the project corridor consists of two light groups, so it is logical in this case to use two two-button switches for control.

Accordingly, in addition to them, you will need:

two sockets;
one ;
three-core cable.

The footage of electrical conductors should be calculated after drawing up the diagram and layout of the wiring. It is recommended to purchase a cable with a small margin.

The control scheme for two light groups through two-button switches looks something like this:

This is the same switch, but according to the circuit design it is made on five contact terminals, two of which are shorted with a jumper. The switching group of such a switch contains four contact pads.

A widespread version of the circuit solution for residential buildings: N, L - household network; RK - distribution box; L1 - light group; PV1, PV2 - walk-through switches; PRK - cross switch (+)

The device for cross switching of lines is an additional element of the circuit, which also assumes the installation of two pass-through switches.

Simple single-key devices are used.

The principle of operation of the triple scheme is as follows:

A phase is connected to the “common” terminal of PV1.
From the terminals of the changeover contacts, 1 and 2 contacts of the cross switch are connected.
From terminals 3 and 4 of the cross switch, connection to terminals 1 and 2 of the changeover contacts PV2.
The common terminal "common" PV2 is connected to one terminal of the light group.
The second terminal of the light group is switched to electrical zero.

Such solutions involving just simple single-key devices are recommended for rooms where the number of inputs / outputs is equal to the number of control points.

Implementation of the circuit design according to Fig. 6 in a "natural" form. This is what the completed indoor installation looks like, where a three-point control system is needed

For example, it is clearly inexpedient to create such a scheme for the conditions of passing a long corridor, for 1 input and 1 output, with switching in the central zone. Obviously, it doesn't make sense to turn off the light when a person has only passed the first half of the corridor. Meanwhile, on the network you can find similar recommendations of "professional" electricians.

Schemes with control from more than three places

The number of control places is, in principle, not limited. Another question is how complex such solutions turn out to be. The more devices involved in the implementation of the control system, the more complex the construction scheme is.

The number of switched lines, contact terminals is increasing. Accordingly, the cost of components and installation increases. However, projects for 4-5 control points are used quite actively. For example, this project:

It uses a pair of single-key simple switches through passage and a pair of switches with the function of reversing switching. The diagram shows only one light group. Meanwhile, it is possible to connect additional light groups.

Additional light groups

Additional light sources (light groups) can be switched off by free terminals and act as light sources for intermediate transition zones. That is, in the same long corridors, it becomes possible to use the scheme for a greater number of control points.

Five-point control scheme for the light switching system: L1 - light group; N, L – network; On 1, On 2 - walk-through switches; On 3, On 4, On 5 - reversible switches (+)

In this case, the light groups should be divided into zones of action - input, intermediate, output. With such a decision, it is already possible to walk a long corridor up to half the way, turn off the lighting on the passed half and turn on the light on the section of the remaining half.

Multi-element schemes, of course, are of little use for the residential private sector, since projects of this kind rarely have long corridors or large rooms with several doors. But for the commercial sector or the production environment, solutions of this kind are in demand.

Principles of the device of the control system

Mounting features for installing walk-through switches, in general, do not exist. All installation work is carried out in the standard version, in accordance with the rules for installing conventional switching devices.

Classic installation detail for wiring inside walls. A socket box is installed (closed tightly). An electrical cable is output inside the socket. The control device is connected (two-button)

If the budget allows, it is advisable to equip each individual device with a junction box. Then you need to purchase boxes of small size according to the number of mounted switches. But the option with one RC is also not excluded.

The selection factors here are directly related to the specific installation conditions. Typically, switches are placed "flush" with the wall surface - an internal wiring diagram.

Meanwhile, the implementation of projects for private (country) properties often takes place with the installation of "surface" (surface) mounting schemes, despite the fact that this approach is considered obsolete.

For the first case, socket boxes are required for installation. For the second - overhead plates. These accessories are needed to securely mount the switches in wall panel niches or directly on the walls.

The cable is connected strictly according to the scheme indicated on the back of the device. The circuit layout of a single-key switch is simple. However, a mismatch of conductors with an incorrect divorce threatens to damage the device.

As a rule, three-core cables act as an electrical conductor, where two cores are needed to power the system, and the third is used as a protective ground loop.

Household lamps can be used without "earth" if the body is non-metallic. Industrial lamps must have a ground bus.

Of course, regardless of the purpose, domestic or industrial, the mounted network is always connected through additional protection -. This device must be calculated according to the power and cut-off current in relation to the built-in light control system.

Analysis of possible errors:

The appearance and introduction of devices of this kind in electrical networks may not be so significant, but still affected the ease of use. Moreover, solutions based on walk-through switches actually lead to energy savings.

Meanwhile, the improvement of devices does not stop. Periodically, new developments appear, for example, similar to touch switches.

Do you have something to add, or have questions about connecting a pass-through switch? You can leave comments on the publication, participate in discussions and share your own experience in arranging the power grid. The contact form is in the bottom block.