The installation of a pass-through switch is optimal when it is necessary to control the lighting device from several different places. Knowing the wiring diagram, a traditional device can be used for such a system. To ensure comfortable control of the light source, you need to know how to connect a pass-through switch as usual.
Design features
Based on the number of switched electrical circuits, devices can be one-, two- and three-key. Screw or spring-cage terminals. Also, the design depends on the functional purpose. Device types differ when used for external or internal wiring.
Such electrical equipment is designed to turn on and off from different places one or a group of lamps. There is no need to go back to the other end of the room to press a key. Electrical appliances are used in large apartments, in corridors and staircases, when lighting garden paths, in the bedroom. In addition to convenience, it saves energy.
Pass-through switches are also used in concert halls, in stadiums, in underpasses and tunnels, in the entrances of high-rise buildings.
Differences between pass-through and conventional breaker
In appearance, the switches do not differ in any way. The internal structure of a conventional one is provided with one inlet and outlet. It can have up to three keys, which allows you to control multiple light sources. More often installed near the entrance to the room. The connection is made using two terminals.
The classic checkpoint has a couple of exits and one entrance. In this case, the electric current is not interrupted, but is redirected to any other output. A diagram is applied under the body of the product. The single-key loop-through is equipped with a three-wire commutation and three terminals with copper contacts. This is a switch that redirects current to other areas.
By design, installation method and type of control, the switches can be:
- keyboards;
- push-button;
- sliders;
- traction;
- tumbler.
They are also classified depending on the voltage and current strength, degree of protection, climatic conditions in which they are installed.
It is important not to confuse an electrical appliance with a crossover or crossover. A vertical triangle is marked on the pass key, in the rest it is located in the horizontal direction.
How to connect a pass-through device
The current is supplied through a junction box. Choose a suitable place, install it and lead out a three-core cable. In addition to phase and zero, it is equipped with a ground wire, which makes the system safe. Factory color-coded cores simplify installation. Most often it is a copper flexible cable, the cross-section of individual wires is from 1 to 1.5 mm.
Pre-markings are made where the switches and lamps will be located. Then the walls are grooved and the wiring of the conductor lines is carried out. Drill niches for mounting the switch mechanism. After preparatory work, the entire system can be connected.
For a correct and safe connection, the following sequence must be observed:
- First of all, you need to make sure which wire in the box is the phase, usually it is red.
- Disconnect voltage.
- A phase is connected to a nearby switch and connected to terminal "1".
- According to the marking on the terminal block, the remaining cores are connected, remembering the corresponding colors.
- The work on the other switch is carried out in the same way.
- The core from the second switch with the luminaire phase is connected to a bright wire in the junction box.
- The other two wires from the first switch are fed to the corresponding terminals of the second.
- Zero and grounding from the box are connected to the luminaire cores of the same color.
- All twists must be done correctly, the connections must be insulated.
Then you can apply current for several hours and check the operation of the system. Each of the switches must turn off and turn on the lighting device independently of the other. If this does not happen, you should check the correctness of the circuit. Detected hot spots are a sign of poor contact. De-energize the system and reconsider the connection.
Copper and aluminum conductors must not be twisted.
How to make a checkpoint out of a simple switch
To convert, you will need two switches - one and two keys. Better if they are from the same manufacturer and the same size. The essence of the alteration is the addition of one more contact to a two-key conventional switch. First you need to make sure that the design allows you to swap the terminals.
On the ceramic base there is a group of general, private and "rocker" contacts. The electrical part is removed, one of the moving contacts is turned 180 °. One site from the general group is cut off. The resulting mechanism is assembled, checking its operation.
The device is closed with a single lid. You can leave double keys by gluing them together. Thus, in one position, one circuit is activated. By switching the key, another one will be connected.
Rocker switch
Equipped with two inputs and outputs, has four terminals, immediately switches a pair of contacts. It is used not so often, but in some cases it is irreplaceable. Facilitates movement at night:
- in a large corridor or hallway with many doors;
- in an apartment with three levels;
- a bedroom with a switch at the entrance and two next to the bed;
- being in the house, it is possible to control lamps in the garage, on the terrace, in the gazebo.
To set up stair lighting in a three-story building, you need to create three control points. The cross-type toggle switch is not used by itself. It must be connected in the gap between the pass-through switches. Knowing the order of connecting the checkpoint, it is easy to figure out how to make a rocker switch.
Their number can be up to 10, but they must always be located between the checkpoints.
There are several schemes for controlling lighting from 3 or more locations. You can assemble the chain through the switchboard, or bypassing it. It is possible to connect several types of lamps at once.
Is it possible to use a pass-through switch as a normal one
Sometimes it is necessary to make a regular two-key switch from a pass-through switch. Install the pass-through device so that it operates as if it were simple. To do this, you need to connect it without a pair.
However, then the meaning of the elements of its construction is lost. But the complexity of the mechanism and the number of parts affect the price. It makes no sense to buy an expensive pass-through switch and use it like a regular one.
Disadvantages of pass-through devices
The position of the keys does not allow you to determine whether the system is off or on. For example, it will not be immediately possible to understand whether the light is turned off or the light bulb has burned out. It is impossible to control a lighting device from different places at the same time.A large number of connected devices means a lot of twists in the junction box. Connection errors force the entire circuit to be rebuilt.
The feed-through switch has many functionalities. But to connect it, you need to purchase another device. Also, the number of connecting wires increases, which increases the overall cost of the system. An ordinary switch has a relatively low price indicator, but loses in functionality.
://
