A modern two-button pass-through switch is able to increase the level of comfort when controlling lighting equipment in almost all premises, including residential, technical, industrial, etc. Plus, it is safe and, if used correctly, will help reduce costs. electricity. Not a bad prospect, don't you agree?
Are you thinking of installing a 2-key pass-through switch yourself, but don't know where to start? We will help you understand this issue - in our article we will analyze in detail its features, nuances of choice, as well as connection diagrams and the procedure for performing electrical work with our own hands. To make it easier for beginners to master the presented material, we have provided the publication with visual photos and step-by-step editing video instructions.
The content of the article:
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The device and tasks of the pass-through switch
- What is the difference from one-key switches?
- Product design features
- Preparatory work before connection
- Scheme and connection procedure
- How to make the right choice
- Conclusions and useful video on the topic
The device and tasks of the pass-through switch
Two-key pass-through switches are outwardly similar to conventional switches used to control groups of lamps, lamps, chandeliers, sconces and other lighting fixtures. But both one and the other are used to solve everyday problems of consumers.
Pass-through and traditional two-button switches are used to control:
- two independent lamps / chandeliers;
- two groups of lamps on one lighting fixture.
But ordinary two-button switches make it possible to turn on / off lighting devices from one place, and walk-through switches from different ones. Which is their main task and advantage.
This feature and the presence of two keys will make it possible not only to turn on the lamps in one point of a room and turn it off in another, but also to use only part of the device's bulbs.
If necessary, you can bring lighting devices in working order in adjacent rooms, parts of the building. For example, to light not only the staircase, but also the basement to which it leads. That will eliminate the need to move by touch in dark rooms and save electricity.
Technological two-key pass-through switches are successfully used in any premises. This statement is also true for small apartments, especially if there is zoning and the desire to optimally use the capabilities of existing lighting systems.
In residential premises, such switches are used most often, since they are usually equipped with several independent lighting systems.
The use of two-button switches can be beneficial even in a small room. For example, in a "Khrushchev" house with walk-through rooms or simply equipped with two lines of lighting.
What is the difference from one-key switches?
Wiring accessories for one key, both walk-through and conventional, allow you to control only one lamp or a single group of lamps. But the two-key analogue - two.
Installation of any pass-through switches is different from replacing conventional ones. The main difference is that the owners of the premises will have to make more important decisions. For example, determine the location and method of equipment installation. And this must be taken seriously to avoid mistakes.
As a result, both types of products can be used as efficiently as possible in various operating conditions.
Product design features
The two-key pass-through switch structurally consists of 2 single-key analogs. And therefore, it has 2 times more contacts for connecting wires.
So, if the pass-through switches equipped with a single key have only 3 of them (and the usual ones have 2 in general), then the two-key ones have 6:
- input - 2;
- weekend - 4.
To avoid installation errors, manufacturers often indicate the wiring diagram or label the inputs / outputs on the device case.
You can often hear that such a large number of contacts is needed to ensure the operation of the circuit breaker according to the "throw-over" principle. But this formulation is not entirely true. Since the shutdown occurs when the contacts that are part of the two-button switches and control one line are simply moved to different positions.
If the indicated structural elements are returned to one position by switching the keys, then the lights will turn on.
That is, the keys do not have the fixed positions "on" / "off" familiar to userslike traditional switches. Although, for both types of equipment, the controls move in the same way.
The photo shows a two-key pass-through switch. Its main feature is a large number of inputs / outputs. In this case, they are marked by the manufacturer with arrows to reduce the likelihood of an error when connecting.
More contacts require more wires to be used for the two-rocker switches to function. If we compare with one-key counterparts, then they will need exactly 2 times more.
Preparatory work before connection
In almost all cases, when installing two-key wiring accessories, additional wiring and installation of additional equipment will be required. And all this, most likely, will have to be acquired.
So, at the preparation stage you will need:
- Two three-core wires required length for each switch. At the same time, it is important that its cross-section is not less than 2.5 mm². It is also important that copper is used as the material of manufacture. We recommend that you read the rules selection of wires for home wiring.
- Junction box. It is needed because the cable from the pass-through switch, for safety reasons, cannot be laid directly to the lighting fixtures. It should be remembered that there will be many connections, so the volume of one standard box is unlikely to be enough. Therefore, even before starting work, you should think about buying paired products.
- Installation box, which is also called a socket outlet. Such devices serve to accommodate the walk-through switches themselves.
Wire laying is carried out open or in a closed way. But in any case, before starting the installation, the purchased electrical cable should be checked for operability.
The photo shows a model of a lighting control system that allows you to get an idea of what should come out during the installation of two-button switches
When checking the cable, you first need to perform an external inspection, and then dial out using special equipment, for example, a multimeter.
If you ignore this rule, you can incur significant losses. This is especially true for cases when the wire will be mounted in the wall.
If it is possible to ground the pass-through switch, then it should be used. This applies when a PE busbar is provided. It is usually found in new buildings.
When performing connection work, safety measures must be observed. So before starting the procedure, you should de-energize the room..
Scheme and connection procedure
Regardless of the brand and other features of two-key wiring products, a number of important rules will have to be observed during installation.
The picture shows the connection diagram of two-key pass-through switches. In this case, the Latin letter N is the international designation of the neutral wire (marked in blue). And the phase wire is marked with the letter L. It is on the diagrams, and often in reality, it is indicated in orange.
So, initially it is necessary to prepare a place for installing socket boxes and a junction box. But this is not difficult, since all that needs to be done is to install a core drill of the required diameter into the hammer drill. We recommend that you read the detailed instructions on installation of socket boxes.
It should be remembered that 2 wires consisting of 3 cores (in the form of ends with a length of 10-15 cm) should come to the junction box from each two-button switch of the through-type type:
- To connect the keys of the first switch with the mains phase - for which, in each case, terminals are used, which in electrics are designated by the symbols L1, L2.
- Connections of the keys of the second switch with the phase wire of the required luminaire or their group - in this case, the terminals are also used, which are designated by the abbreviation L1, L2.
- Connections of both switches used with each other - the remaining wires are connected in pairs. This procedure is carried out in the junction box. In the course of this operation, it is necessary to connect the terminals of each key of one pass-through switch with the similar terminals of the second one.
Do not forget that the zero of the supply wire must be connected to the zero wire of the appliance without fail. If you plan to control a group of luminaires, then the zero of the network is connected to all their zero cores. We examined the best connectors for connecting wires in the article about self-clamping terminal blocks.
Correct connection is the key to the safe operation of switches and luminaires, and it largely depends on the connectors. Therefore, it will be practical to use convenient and reliable WAGO terminal blocks. They are self-tightening and safe, so the human factor will be minimal.
When performing electrical work, it is important not to get tangled with the cables. This warning is relevant due to the presence of a large number of veins. They should be marked, especially in cases where the wires are of the same color.
In addition, all operations should be performed sequentially, that is, without switching to another job until the start is completed.
Detailed instructions pass-through switch connections we have resulted in 2 keys in our other article.
How to make the right choice
When buying two-key pass-through switches, you should give preference to products from well-known manufacturers.
For example, in the post-Soviet space, as, in fact, in Europe, the products of the demanded German brand Legrand are popular.
Pay attention to switches belonging to the Celiane, Velena series. The exclusive products of this manufacturer belong to the Exclusive Celiane line.
We also recommend that you familiarize yourself with
In addition, the following companies are ranked among the leaders of the sphere:
- Wessen and its popular W 59 Frame series;
- Lezard;
- Makel.
There are various types of pass-through switches. But sensory ones are more in demand among consumers.
Two-gang switches can be part of the system "smart House". Since many manufacturers equip their products with motion sensors. As a result, the electronics itself will take care of turning off the lighting.
Conclusions and useful video on the topic
The first video will help you avoid mistakes, excessive spending when choosing, purchasing pass-through switches:
The following video shows in practice how the switches are connected to the lighting system:
Two-key pass-through switches can make living more comfortable and safe. And also, when properly placed, the equipment will help save energy. At the same time, there is no reason to doubt its quality - such switches are designed for long-term use.
Tell us about your personal experience in choosing two-key pass-through switches, places for their installation and operation features. Comments can be left in a special block below. There you can also ask your questions to our experts and other visitors to the site, take part in the discussion, point out inaccuracies or errors identified in the course of reading the article material.
