When lighting control is required in long rooms with multiple inputs, an intermediate switch can be very useful. As a result of using this device, anyone can turn on or off the lighting using a switch located at each of the doors. Thanks to such switches, it is possible to control luminaires from several points.
Content
- Design features
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Connection recommendations
- Contact group schematic
- Mounting the device
- Using the two rocker switch
Design features
Cross-type switches are equipped with four instead of three contacts. This design of the device allows you to simultaneously close or open two contacts, affecting several power lines at once.
Often, users are interested in what a crossover switch is and how it differs from a pass-through switch. The main difference between them is that intermediate type devices cannot work independently and are used only in combination with gates. In this case, they are indicated in the same way on the wiring diagrams. The cross switch design has the following elements:
- mechanism for wall mounting;
- contact group with control unit;
- output terminals;
- conductive jumpers located in the housing.
Like all types of switches, cross switches can have a surface-mounted or built-in design and be used with an open or hidden method of wiring. It should also be remembered that a combination of these methods is sometimes used. On sale you can find not only a one-button or two-button cross switch, but even a device with three buttons. Some devices are equipped with a rotary switching mechanism, but the principle of their operation does not change from this.
Connection recommendations
With these devices, you can easily create a flexible and easy-to-use lighting control scheme. Cross-type switches are slightly more difficult to connect, when compared with classic switches, so novice electricians should get acquainted with the features of this process.
Contact group schematic
Having dealt with the one-key device, it will be easier to understand the connection diagram of the cross-over two-key switch. By turning the device back to the user, four pairs of contacts can be found. If a switch of a well-known brand is used, then on it they will be marked with certain symbols, for example, arrows.
Incoming icons indicate common or changeover terminals. Outgoing arrows indicate permanent contact group. Common contacts are intended for connection to the first pass-through type breaker included in the circuit.
The permanent terminals are connected to the second switch. This connection scheme is classic and allows you to control lighting from three points.
It should be remembered that cross-type devices can be used in one of two modes.:
- Direct switching on - acts as two pass-through switches.
- Cross connect is the main mode.
Thus, by their functionality, intermediate switches are universal switches. This allows them to be used in various mounting options.
Mounting the device
The cross switch installation requires wires, a feed-through switch, and junction boxes. It is advisable to use the device in a three-point lamp control circuit. It is first necessary to prepare the conductors by cleaning their ends from the insulating layer.
A cross-type switch is connected between two pass-through devices. For this, the following connections are made:
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The phase is connected to the input of the first pass-through switch. - Its outputs are connected to the input terminals of the intermediate device.
- The neutral wire is connected directly to one of the lamp contacts.
- The output terminals of the cross-type switch are connected to the outputs of the second pass-through switch.
- The free contact of the luminaire is connected to the input of the pass-through device No. 2.
Using the two rocker switch
It is often necessary to control two groups of light sources. To solve this problem, a cross two-button switch is used. The peculiarity of its installation is that it is used in combination with pass-through devices that have two buttons.
It may seem that the connection process is highly complex. However, it must be remembered that the design of a switch with two keys is essentially two single-key devices enclosed in one housing. As a result, the installation principle is identical, the number of terminals involved simply increases. It should be noted that two-rocker switches are rarely used.
Understanding the nuances of working with an intermediate type device is not as difficult as it might seem. In order not to get tangled in the wires, it is enough to mark them. In such a situation, problems will definitely not arise.
