Two-gang pass switch: how to connect with your own hands
For the convenience of users, especially in rooms with a large area: sports or concert halls, long corridors, it is good to be able to turn the light off and on from different places. This will eliminate unnecessary transitions from one end of the room to the other.
Double contact switch
The two-key connection scheme easily solves this problem, it allows you to install switches in two or more places from where you can control the lighting.
Device and principle of operation
The functionality and practicality of a two-gang pass-through switch are based on the principles of operation of a single-gang transfer switch.
Almost two are assembled in one case, which greatly expands its capabilities and the entire wiring diagram.
The principle of switching contacts remains the same: there are two input terminals on the switch, 4 output terminals, a total of 6 pieces.
The keys are marked with arrows, where to press to turn the light on or off. The circuit is assembled in such a way that you can turn off the light by pressing any key on the switches. In what position are the keys of the used pass-through switch, it does not matter. The possibilities of two-button walk-through switches allow you to create various options for light control schemes from two or even three places.
Control from two places
Two two-button walk-through switches in the circuit are located in different places, they work autonomously in two directions, controlling different groups of lighting devices.
The scheme is very convenient for long tunnels, corridors, flights of stairs. It doesn't matter which side you enter from, you can always turn on the light and turn it off at the other end when you exit.
The installation locations of two-button walk-through switches are selected, it is logical to install them at different ends of the object. Mounting holes with a diameter of 72 or 80 mm are drilled in concrete or brick walls with a special crown with victorious or diamond teeth, depending on the selected switch housing.
Cylindrical metal or plastic boxes (sockets) are inserted into the holes. If the wiring is external, then the switch housing is attached to the wall with dowels and self-tapping screws.
Along the entire length of the room, on the ceiling or walls, two groups of lighting fixtures are installed. It can be chandeliers, cheap lamps or sconces. Connections are made in parallel so that if one lamp fails, the rest continue to work. Wires are laid from them to the junction box; for the operation of the circuit, two cores in the cable are enough.
According to the requirements of the PUE (), for safety purposes, the cases of lighting devices are grounded. All modern lamps, chandeliers and other devices are equipped with a ground terminal.
Therefore, it is better to lay a cable with three cores:
- L is the red phase;
- N - zero working wire of blue or black color;
- ground wire yellow-green coloring.
The design of the two-gang pass-through switch provides 6 terminals for connecting wires, so two three-core cables must be laid from each box for switches to the junction box, leaving 15-20 cm ends for stripping insulation and connecting wires.
Connecting a 2-pin switch
7 cables must converge in the junction box:
- 4 from switches;
- 2 from lighting groups;
- 1 power cable.
21 - wire, all are divorced into 8 pins. It is required to make a connection according to the specified scheme.
Lighting control scheme from two places
The requirement for wires to match the color for the intended purpose L; N, ground, can only be performed on sections of the power cable circuit and lighting groups. In the intervals from switches to the junction box, they are not feasible, in this case any wires are used.
Therefore, you need to be very careful, to identify the desired wire, use it in dialing mode. One wire in the junction box will remain unused - from the switch on the right side.
Insulate its ends and leave it as a backup or connect it to a ground contact.
Management in three places
This circuit uses the same elements as for 2-point switching control, plus a two-gang crossover switch. It is placed at any convenient point in the room according to the scheme between two two-button switches.
According to the design and principle of operation, the two-gang crossover switch is two two-gang switches in one housing. It can be replaced with two double-gang switches, but it is more practical to use the factory one in one case.
In this model, one common key is installed on the two-key switch, which synchronizes the switching of the contacts of the two lines. Jumpers are placed on the terminals of the two-button cross switch in such a way that it ensures the passage of current in the desired direction.
Cross switch
The two-gang end switches are connected to a four-wire crossover cable. The scheme works as follows: the working zero starts immediately on two lighting groups. The phase comes to both input contacts of the first two-key feed-through switch.
Regardless of the position of the keys, the current passes to 2 of the four input contacts of the cross switch through a jumper to the input of the second double-gang switch. At the moment, the position of the keys of the 2nd switch determines the passage of current to one of the lighting groups.
If the group is lit, it is enough to change the position of the key of any of the switches in this row to break the power circuit. In the same way with the inclusion: it is worth changing the position of any key in this row, and the circuit will be restored.
Three-place lighting control scheme
The designs of pass-through switches significantly expand the possibilities of switching lighting circuits. They are universal, they can be used as conventional switches with one key or as two-gang switches.
As a disadvantage, the cost can be noted: they are more expensive than simple switch models. Therefore, it is recommended to use them for their intended purpose in circuits with pass-through lighting control from several places.
How to connect. Video
You can get acquainted with the features of connecting a pass-through switch in the video below. Compliance with the developed technology will help to avoid unforeseen consequences in the future.
The presented diagrams, photographs and information presented in the text will allow those who wish to understand the principles of operation of two-button walk-through switches, understand the rationality of the practical application of circuits and their use, and master the method of self-installing lighting control systems from several places.
This will make it possible not to turn to professional electricians and save considerable money during electrical work in your own home.
