Modern technology, as you know, does not stand still, because there is nothing surprising in the fact that at present there are special wireless switches that have a lot of advantages. Now there is no need to look for relays or keys on a wall in the dark - just use this very convenient device based on radio or infrared waves.
The wireless switch allows you to comfortably control the lighting of not only a single room, but the whole house, change its brightness. Yes, and you do not need to spoil the walls for its installation.
What is a wireless light switch?
This small mechanism is quite simple. It consists of two modules - a receiver and a transmitter. A switch is used as a signal transmitter, and a relay is installed in the receiver, which is mounted in the light source. To connect, simply insert 2 input wires and 2 at the output to the chandelier into the terminals. Familiar wiring is missing. Instead, depending on the model of the switch - radio waves or infrared waves. The difference between them is small: the range and ability to control the light in the next room. In all other respects, the principle of operation is the same.
Consider some features of the constituent parts of the switch.
Relay
A radio-controlled relay is a receiver that, upon receipt of the appropriate signals, closes the circuit for the electrical wiring of the lighting. It is installed either close to the lamp, or in any other place that is included in the coverage area of the transmitter. This device is very small, it can be placed in the lighting device itself, for example in a chandelier.
Switch
The main feature of this transmitter is the presence of an energy generator that generates electricity when the switch button is pressed. The energy pulse is processed into a radio signal captured by the receiving device. However, such models of wireless switches are quite expensive. There is a cheaper option, which involves the use of mini-batteries. An autonomous energy source is also used in devices such as wireless touch light switches , in which control is carried out using the touch panel.
Despite the seemingly simple simplicity, such switches are high-tech devices that use miniature, but very complex electrical circuits.
Mounting
Installation of circuit breakers is very simple and quick, as they are light in weight and have a convenient flat shape. The relay can be connected to the phase failure of the wire in any convenient place. When the button is pressed, the switch sends a radio signal that is received by the relay. It produces an open or short circuit on the phase going to the light source.
The wireless light switch can be attached using double-sided tape, securely locking, for example:
- on the ceiling, wall, floor or other place - you do not need to run wires through the entire room, so the owners' imagination is unlimited;
- on the door in any room, bathroom, etc. (and the height can be any, so if necessary, you can install a wireless wall switch in a place where a child can reach him if he needs lighting);
- on the headboard, the surface of the nightstand, the cabinet door - to any place where you can reach with your outstretched arm directly from the bed; thanks to such a device, it will not be necessary to wander in the dark in search of a switch, if you need to find something or just want to read.
Advantages of Wireless Switches
The main reason why wireless light switches have gained such popularity is the ability to install them in absolutely any place and on absolutely any surface without installation and repair work. For installation, you do not need to ditch the walls and make wiring, resort to the services of an electrician: you just need to use double-sided tape. The list of advantages that a wireless switch is endowed with is respectable:
- You can adjust the lighting at a distance;
- large radius of action of such a device;
- the wireless switch is completely safe for children and animals;
- reliable and durable;
- the device is economical, the brightness of the lamps is regulated by dimmers; thanks to them, the lamps light up very smoothly, which saves energy and increases the life of the lamp itself.
disadvantages
The wireless switches did not reveal any significant flaws. Some complaints may come from products manufactured by some Chinese manufacturers. As a rule, complaints are mainly related to the instability of the radio signal. But these and other problems are completely absent in products made in Western Europe.
As a disadvantage, we can single out only the high cost of wireless switches, which today is not accessible to everyone. For one set (receiver and transmitter) you will have to pay at least $ 30, and this is without the cost of installation work. That is why they are installed mainly where it is not possible to use traditional ones.
Varieties
The wireless switch is not very diverse. This device can be classified only in three main ways:
- possible adjustment of light ;
- by way of management;
- by the number of lighting devices that the device can control.
Management methods
Switches are electronic, in which the inclusion is carried out by pressing the touch keys and with mechanical buttons. Also in a separate group, you can select a wireless switch with a remote control, which greatly expands the capabilities of such a device. It goes in addition to the device and works through digital signals on radio frequencies. Due to them, the absence of interference in the operation of both the switch and the television and radio equipment that is in the apartment is ensured. Neither the walls nor the furniture interfere with the passage of the radio signal of the device. Thanks to the remote control, 8 wireless switches can be controlled simultaneously, and then the need to walk around the apartment and turn off the forgotten lighting will disappear forever. The range of the consoles depends on the features of the housing structure and the materials used on which the elements are placed. Usually it ranges from 20-25 meters. Transmitters are powered by batteries. However, in practice, such a device is rarely in demand, because no one will always carry it with you, and when the remote is needed, most often it just doesn’t be at hand.
If the remote wireless switch is installed in industrial premises or offices, then it can be a considerable distance away from light sources. In these cases, repeaters are installed.
Ability to adjust lighting
As a rule, this possibility arises due to the receiving device, in which a dimmer is additionally placed. Of course, the process of adjusting the flow of light is carried out on the switch. This is done by long pressing a certain key or button.
Number of controlled lights
Here everything is the same as with the usual type of switches - they can be designed for one or more groups of lighting devices. You need to understand that a double wireless switch will cost several times more than a single.
How to install do-it-yourself wireless switches?
Easy and quick installation - this is one of the important advantages of devices of this type. Installation can be done without special skills and labor on their own, without the help of electricians.
The sequence of work is as follows:
1 Installation of the receiver-switch. Here, in principle, there is nothing complicated. Depending on how many controlled groups of lighting fixtures, the receiver can have up to four wires leaving the device. Of these, one is the input, and all the others are the outputs. If this is a double switch, then there are only two output wires. To complete the installation of this device, it is necessary to break the phase that supplies power to the lighting device, and then simply connect the device in series to the circuit. If we talk about two groups, then in this case everything is the same as with conventional switches - a common zero goes to all lighting devices, and the phase in the switch branches out and is separately applied to each of the lighting groups.
2. Installation of the control button, which is usually called a switch, is generally very simple. With the help of a crown, a corresponding hole is drilled into the wall where a standard plastic socket box is installed. Further, everything is the same as when installing a simple switch, except for the fact that no wires are needed for the wireless device - you just need to fix the button in the box.
As you can see, everything is easy and quite simple, and you don’t need to have special knowledge in the field of electrical engineering to solve the question of how to connect such a device - basic knowledge of how an electric current moves in a circuit will be enough.
Summing up, we can safely say that wireless light switches are a rather useful device, without which in some cases it is even very difficult to do.
The use of radio waves in the modern world is becoming more widespread - people use mobile phones, Wi-Fi devices, radios, radio-controlled toys and mechanisms that become part of our lives.
Wireless switch on laptop
Most people use a wireless network. Many connect to Wi-Fi not only at home, but also in a cafe, office, with their friends. Everyone is used to the fact that connecting to the network is an automatic process that does not require any action.
On many laptop models, to turn on, use a separate button or slider to turn on Wi-Fi. Most often, this wireless switch is located on the front of the laptop. It may look different, but it performs one function - turning Wi-Fi on and off. To enable it, you just need to move the slider to the "Enabled" position.