What is the difference between a switch and a Schneider switch? A switch and a switch are the main differences. Electrical switches in the form of buttons are classified according to the type of control

Today we will look at an interesting topic, we will figure out what types of switches and switches there are, what they are, and what they are used with. There are a lot of switches, among which there are absolutely incredible types. There are single-key, two-key and even three-key switches, walk-through switches, touch switches and generally a great variety of design options. There are also many options for design, color, shape and other factors that affect the appearance of the switch. They also come in open and hidden wiring, but first things first.

The first thing we'll talk about today is the difference between a switch and a switch. In simple terms, a switch either turns on or off, a switch switches accordingly. If a little more scientifically, then in the switch there is switching of the phase passing through it to the lamp. A switch switches two circuits between each other. If it has a pass-through design, it can switch three circuits between each other. But this is a huge rarity, so we won’t talk about it today. That is, by pressing the switch, the light turns on, and the phase is connected inside. If you press it again, the light will go out, as the phase will open. If we click on the switch, then our light comes on. Now let’s imagine for a second that we are in the corridor at this moment, although no, it’s better in the bedroom. It’s more pleasant to think about the bedroom, and in general it’s a magical place. So, we have a very large bedroom, and there is a switch at the entrance...

There is also a switch by the bed. Why, you ask? The answer is actually simple. By turning on the light with one switch at the entrance, you can turn it off from the bed with another without getting out of bed. Again, nothing is clear? I'll explain. The switches are connected to each other by two wires through which a phase can be closed. Accordingly, there are two ways through which the circuit can be connected. And there are two points at which you can close or open the circuit. How it works? You ask. It's actually simple, the switch doesn't open anything, it just switches between the two wires that connect them. So it turns out that in one position the switch connects a wire that is connected by another switch into a circuit, and the light comes on. And while lying on the bed, you switch the current to another wire that is not connected on the other side and the light goes out. Here is such a complex simple scheme.

Another important fact is that there are switches, and there are pass-through switches. Do you want me to tell you a terrible secret? Are you sure you want it? It is the same. Yes, yes, you heard right. A pass-through switch and a switch are the same thing, and even have exactly the same wiring diagram.

Let's now talk about what types of switches there are. There are, as we have already told you, single-key, two-key and three-key switches. And with them everything is very clear. Depending on the number of keys, several lamps can be connected to it. Or, for example, you can turn on the chandelier in three stages. There are also switches with a slide switch, remember those used to be on old lamps? Or, for example, switches that need to be pulled by a string, remember?

Next, newfangled ways to turn on the light stand apart. There are switches that respond to room lighting or movement, and some switches also respond to noise. Correctly, such switch options are called sensors. But this is more likely for entrances and common areas; rarely does anyone use them in an apartment. Imagine you are watching TV in a room in which there is a switch with a motion sensor, for example, it turns out that you need to constantly move. And therefore, such methods of controlling light are not popular in apartments and private houses, but they are incredibly popular in housing and communal services, as they save energy.

Next, it is fashionable to include touch switches among the newfangled switches. This is a switch that closes or opens the network when touched. The design is actually not complicated. This switch consists of a touch panel that, when pressed, signals a special semiconductor circuit to close a circuit, and it closes it. The same thing happens when turning off only in the opposite direction.

Another very interesting switch is the remote control switch. Such switches are now making leaps and bounds towards their popularity. To remotely control such a switch, your apple or green robot will have to acquire a special application. By logging into this application from the other side of the planet, you can control the switching on of the lights and, in general, absolutely any processes in the house. Such systems are called smart home, but this is a completely different story. There are also simpler options, these are switches with a control panel. That is, there is a switch built into the wall, but there are no buttons on it, how is that possible? And like this. The buttons are on the remote control, which is in your hand, and from it you control the switch. Lately, chandeliers with remote control have been gaining popularity.

Another switch option is a dimmer. A dimmer is a device that is installed instead of a switch, in the same exact socket box. But this is not a simple device, but a magical one. Joke. The dimmer actually regulates the power supplied to the lamp, thereby allowing you to adjust the brightness of the lamps. Can you imagine having your own sunrise and sunset in your room? And if you have children and they love to put on theater shows at home, then you can light these shows almost professionally.

You should carefully consider the choice of dimmer. You should not buy cheap dimmers, as they either will not adjust the brightness, but not only that, they can also damage the lamps. Another important fact is that not all lamps are suitable for dimmer. There are either Ilyich light bulbs or special energy-saving and LED ones. But even special fluorescent lamps are not recommended for use with a dimmer, as this shortens their service life. Plus, such lamps are rare, difficult to find, and they cost “like a cast-iron bridge,” forgive me for such a comparison. It is much better to buy LED lamps right away and forget about replacing them for many years. The main thing when buying is to pay attention to the lamp box; it must be compatible with a dimmer.

The last thing we'll talk about today is switch design. It is worth noting that in most cases we buy switches specifically for the apartment, and there is hidden wiring. So, all of the above switches have a hidden installation method. But don’t despair, any switch can be found for open mounting, although if push-button versions for open wiring are available in every store, then you will have to look for others.

A switch for hidden wiring, as a rule, consists of two parts - the mechanism itself and the frame. Also, some switches have the ability to be backlit. Some switches have it already built-in, but sometimes it is sold separately, it’s worth paying attention to. Such switches, as you already know, cannot be used with energy-saving lamps.

The result is a great variety of switch options. If we add to this that most manufacturers have both frames and mechanisms for hidden wiring of all colors and shapes of the rainbow. Some manufacturers produce the same variety of switches for open wiring. Here's the whirlpool for you. See you again!

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A pass-through switch is a special type of electrical fittings, which is also often called a backup or changeover switch.

The difference between a pass-through switch and a switch is that when using a switch, you can only close or open the circuit, while a walk-through switch is equipped with three contacts, as well as a switching mechanism. A rocker switch allows you to control one luminaire or a group of luminaires from different places.

Scope of application of pass-through switches

A pass-through lighting switch in an apartment or house can be used in different cases:

• on the stairs. Switches are located on different floors - a person turns on the light downstairs, goes up and turns it off upstairs;
• in the bedroom. One switch is located at the entrance, the other at the bed;
• in a long corridor. Switches are installed at different ends of the corridor.

In addition, pass-through outdoor lighting switches are also used, which are mounted to illuminate paths, various entrances, etc.

Types of pass-through switch

Currently, there are several types of switches, both in appearance and in design. There is a single-key option and a two-key pass-through switch, the connection diagram of which is slightly different.

A pass-through two-key switch has six contacts and is, in fact, a connection of two single-key switches. It allows you to control several lamps and turn them on step by step.

There are also crossover switches that have four contacts and allow you to turn on the lamp from three places. In such a circuit for switching on a lighting device, you will need 2 pass-through switches and 1 cross switch.

In addition, pass-through switches vary in appearance - there are push-button, key, and rotary switches, and the choice of a specific type depends on the preferences and needs of the owners.

Currently, there are a large number of companies selling high-quality options, for example the Legrand switch, the connection diagram of which does not differ from the switch diagrams of other brands.

How to design a pass-through switch?

When renovating an apartment or building a new house, you must immediately determine where the pass-through switches will be located. Since the switch connection diagram requires the use of more cable, it is necessary to think about this before starting electrical work.

It is also necessary to decide from how many places access to the luminaires is needed, and how many devices will be under its control. Once you have determined all the points, you will need a pass-through switch circuit suitable for your design.

How to connect a pass-through switch?

As mentioned above, the connection diagram for a pass-through switch with three and six contacts is slightly different. In addition, the design of a pass-through light switch depends on the number of points from which the light can be controlled.

Let's look at single-key electrical switches. Since pass-through switches switch from one circuit to another, it is necessary to provide power to the first pass-through switch, and the second switch will carry a phase wire that connects to the wire that powers the light bulb in the distribution box. The switches are also connected to each other using a two-core cable. See the diagram for more details.

If you want to switch lights from several places, the following circuit will suit you. It is similar to the previous one. However, in this case, the switch must have two input contacts and two output contacts.

The connection diagram for two-key switches is also not much different from single-key switches. In essence, this circuit is a connection of two single-key switches and allows you to control two lighting fixtures from two places at once.

Often those people who want to install electrical wiring in their home choose a switch based on their own taste. People look at its design, color, quality of the material from which it is made. Then they bring the selected switch home and the problems begin. Why? Yes, because it turns out that the switches are all different, and you need to choose them not by their appearance, but by their operating functionality.

The industry produces switches of three types of operation: pass-through, conventional, cross (or otherwise intermediate). What is the difference between them? All three types of these devices will be described below.

Regular switch

The operation of a conventional switch is carried out by regulation from one point. Simply put, a person presses a switch to turn off the light, and the electrical circuit that children know about in physics class is broken. When a person turns on the light, the electrical circuit, on the contrary, is restored. It’s impossible to think of a simpler device for this purpose. A regular switch can be used everywhere: both in a residential area and in production. This device is installed easily and quickly.

Pass-through switch

This type of switches is much more complex. It would be more correct to call this thing not a switch, but a switch. This device does not just turn off the electricity, but switches it, that is, it forces the electric current to flow in a different direction. This type of switch-switch regulates the flow of electric current not from one, but from two points. That is, the circuit is not interrupted, but simply the electricity is redirected to another place. In an example, it looks like this: A man walks into a long corridor and turns on the light. He goes to the other end of the room, and clicking another switch there, turns off the electricity.

However, one should not think that this type of switches is convenient only for large rooms, so that people do not have to walk a lot, turning on or off the lights. Modern interior designers advise installing them in simple apartments. Especially recently, such devices have become popular in bedrooms. For example, a person comes in, turns on the light, and gets ready for bed. To go to bed, you have to turn off the electricity and then walk in the dark. It’s inconvenient, you can bump into furniture, especially if a person comes to visit someone and is in the room for the first time. And with such a switch you can turn off the light while lying on the bed. Very comfortably. However, it is better to hire a professional to install such a system.

Cross (intermediate) switch

Such switches allow you to control electric currents from three or more points. The crossover switch is shown both for large spacious rooms and for ordinary houses and apartments. For example, it is often installed in modern bedrooms. One switch is placed at the entrance to the room, and the other two are on the sides of the double bed. You can turn the lighting on or off from each of these points. Some will say that this is an unnecessary luxury, while others, on the contrary, will consider it very comfortable and rational.

When installing such a system, both pass-through and crossover switches are used. Moreover, the pass-throughs go on the sides of the circuit, and the cross-switch is installed between them. And if you install, for example, at the entrance to an electrical circuit, a switch of the wrong type (instead of a pass-through switch - cross or regular), then the system will not work. You can’t do this without the help of an experienced specialist.

To summarize, the technical characteristics of all types of switches force those installing electrical wiring to take into account the following points:

1. When installed, intermediate and pass-through switches can perform the functions of a regular switch. However, in a more complex electrical circuit, the intermediate switch will not be able to perform the functions of a pass-through switch.
2. If an electrical circuit is being installed, where the connection will be from more than three points, then pass-through switches are installed along the edges, and transition switches are installed only between them (for this they are called intermediate).
3. When installing an electrical circuit that plans to include pass-through or crossover switches, you will need more cable, since the current flows in several directions, and the switches simply redirect it.

Therefore, it is very important to check the type of switch with the seller in order to avoid unnecessary problems. The type of switch is also indicated in the accompanying documents. If you have strong doubts, you can ask the seller for this documentation.

And if a person is not an electrician by profession, then for the correct installation of a complex circuit with different types of switches, it would be better and safer to invite a specialist.

Why do you need a regular switch and why do you need a switch? Why is a switch called a changeover switch? What is a transfer switch?

In electrical networks and in the control of various mechanisms and devices, devices called switches and switches are used. At first glance, there is no point in talking about the difference between them. But there is a difference, and a noticeable one.

Switch is called a two-position switching device having a pair of normally open contacts. Its functional purpose is to switch loads in electrical networks with a voltage of 220 V. A conventional switch cannot turn off short-circuit currents (i.e., short circuit), since its design does not have a device for arc extinguishing. There are automatic switches for this, but this is a completely different type of electrical device.

In simple switches, the primary selection parameter is their design. Products can be manufactured for internal installation (building a switch into the wall with hidden electrical wiring), and also be oriented for open installation, when the electrical wiring in the room goes on top. Mostly switches are needed to turn the lighting on/off.

Switch Let's just say right away that it has several names. Most often it is called a backup, transition or changeover switch (switch). The switch can switch one network to several or several networks to several. It is practically indistinguishable from a simple switch in appearance, but it has more contacts. A single-key switch has, for example, three contacts, while a two-key switch has six. The second type is, in fact, a double switch, where a pair of independent switches are combined.

Didn't see the difference? We will try to explain in more detail. A switch simply interrupts the electrical circuit, but with a switch you can switch it from one contact to another. In other words, here the circuit is also interrupted, and a new circuit is formed by switching contacts. And it becomes clear why the switch is called a changeover switch. Thanks to this scheme.

Two-key pass-through switch (switch)

The light source can be controlled from different points. When a system consists of several data switches, it is already pass-through switch.

Thus, with a switch you can only connect/disconnect an electrical circuit, but with a three-pin switch you can also create new electrical circuits.

Where to place the switch? This is a difficult question if you need to turn the lights on and off in a large room with several entrances, or in a long corridor. If there is only one switch and there is a lot of space, this is inconvenient.

Is it possible to do better - to turn the lights on and off from different ends of the corridor or staircase in the entrance, in the local area from the house, garage, from the gate, and so on? In our digital age, radio-controlled remote controls, motion sensors, etc. immediately come to mind. This is great, but it can be done simpler, cheaper and more convenient. You just need to use a pass-through switch.

Many of us have come across a circuit of a pass-through switch in a school problem book. The problem for the seventh grade suggests creating a diagram in which you can turn on and off a light bulb at either end of the corridor. To understand the operating principle of a pass-through switch, let’s look at the solution to this simple problem.

First, a simple diagram of “one light bulb and one switch”:

Key K1 is closed, the light is on. If you open the contacts, the lamp will go out. Using such devices, the problem of turning on and off from different ends of the corridor cannot be solved: even if we can turn on the light with different switches, we will not be able to turn it off just as easily.

Pair of pass-through switches

To solve the problem, you need not switches, but switches, and you also need an additional wire. The switch transmits voltage to one of two wires:

Here the phase is transferred from pin 1 to 2. If you click the switch, the voltage from pin 1 will flow to 3.

In any position of the switch, only one of the wires will be energized: 2 or 3.

This is the electrical circuit of a pass-through switch: a simple switch.

But for operation you need at least one more walk-through light switch. You need to run two wires to it from the first switch.

What happens if we click switch 1? The circuit will open. What if there is switch 2? The same.

This means that the light can be turned off from either end of the corridor. And after that, you can turn it on by clicking any of the switches. For example, first:

The single-key pass-through switch does not have On or Off positions. Any switching of one of the pair of switches changes the state of the system: if the light was on, it will go out, and if it was turned off, it will light up.

What to buy to implement the scheme

Understanding how a pass-through switch works, you can independently install a convenient lighting control circuit. Products from several companies are popular on the electrical goods market, for example legrand pass-through switches. They are functional, have an attractive design, some with LED backlighting.

The legrand valena pass-through switch, if it is without a pair, can work as a simple one. But usually they are bought in pairs.

Buyers often ask how a pass-through switch looks different from a regular one. There are few differences: enterprises use a single housing design for different devices. There are no markings on the pass-throughs indicating switching on (sometimes there is one, due to the use of standard components, but they do not pay attention to it). Differences in the connection of electrical contacts can be easily determined by a person familiar with electrical engineering.

The figure shows the connection of a pair of legrand pass-through switches operating for one group of lamps.

Pass-through switches, like regular ones, are available with one or two keys. Two-key controls control two groups of lamps. You can, for example, adjust the brightness of the lighting by turning on and off groups of light bulbs in a chandelier.

No worse than products from other companies: lezard, lexman, abb, schneider electric.

Lezard pass-through switches are connected in the same way as those made by Legrand and other companies.

It is very simple to assemble a circuit from devices from any manufacturer, but sometimes difficulties arise because circuits with errors are found on commercial sites on the Internet. Sometimes cheap Chinese devices are accompanied by paper instructions with errors in the circuits.

Use the simplest diagram on which everything is clear and which you understand.

Turning lights on and off from ten places

We examined in detail the switching scheme for lamps from two different places.

But is it possible to make the light turn on and off from three, four places, and so on? For example, when leaving an apartment, on any floor, turn on the light on the stairs, and when leaving the entrance, turn it off. And do the same in reverse order: turn on the light when entering the entrance, and turn it off at your door. Or late at night, leaving the office into the corridor, where the zealous caretaker has already turned off the light, do not wander in the dark, but flip the switch at your door, let there be light! And then turn it off on the way out. And there should be several such switches in the corridor - at different doors.

To organize such lighting, you need to use more complex pass-through switches, they are called cross switches. Let's consider their functioning.

A crossover switch is something that has two input terminals and two output terminals. A phase comes to one input, an empty wire to the other, in random order.

Accordingly, at the outputs we have: on one - phase, on the other - nothing. By clicking the cross switch key, we will reverse the phase and “blank” on the output terminals.

If you place a crossover switch between two pass-through switches, you get three switching points. Each switch, if you change its state, changes the lighting: if the light was on, it will go out, and if it was off, it will turn on.

Look at the picture. At the moment the circuit is closed, but what happens if you click any of the three devices? The circuit between the input and output will open and the light will go out.

Interestingly, after turning off, we can turn on the light, again by clicking ANY switch.

You can put two cross switches, three, four... in the middle of the circuit. no matter how much it’s a pity. And any switch will change the state of the system.

This may seem surprising, especially since a long chain of switches can be difficult to understand. But nevertheless the scheme works! After all, no matter the position of the switching devices, the phase is not “lost” - it comes to one of the two outputs of each cross-switch, and only the last pass-through “selects” the phase or its absence.

Clip-on crossover switches are in demand

Pass-through switches are produced in the same housings as conventional ones. There are overhead and built-in models, in versions for internal and external wiring. Surface-mounted models of pass-through and cross switches are in demand because they are used in large quantities when improving lighting systems, including when installing outdoor lighting.

When building your home, a convenient switching system with pass-through switches can be included in the electrical wiring project.

New technologies: touch pass-through switches

Stylish touch switches are more expensive than regular ones, but are in demand - they have become a natural part of modern “digital culture”.

Touch devices are quite complex electronic devices. To switch the current, a thyristor or high-power transistor is used, and the signal, thanks to which the device opens (or closes), comes from a sensor - a sensor that responds to some external influence.

The sensor can be a motion sensor, or acoustic, or capacitive - responsive to touch. Sensitive sensors react even before touching, just bring your hand to a distance of 1-3 centimeters. Homes usually install capacitive touch switches, or those combined with a motion sensor. All touch devices can be controlled remotely. If the control panel is not included, it must be purchased separately.

The semiconductor device responsible for turning the current on and off can also be used to control the current strength and brightness of the light, if equipped with a dimmer. It is important to know that dimmers are not suitable for all lighting fixtures.

Pass-through and cross touch switches, like mechanical ones, are used to control lighting fixtures from different points. Compared to mechanical ones, they are more functional: they can be controlled remotely and control the light intensity.

Externally, touch devices are a smooth glass panel; when connected, there is a visible indication on it: blue firefly - OFF, red - ON. To control the lighting device, you just need to touch the device panel.

The photo shows a touch switch.

The paradox is that technologically advanced sensor devices do an excellent job of controlling incandescent or gas-discharge lamps, but problems arise when turning on advanced LED lamps. In the “touch switch - LED lamp” circuit, when turned off, weak electrical impulses can be induced, causing the LEDs to “wink”. Sometimes there are problems with the dimmer if it regulates the current through the LEDs.

The figure shows a diagram of connecting the adapter in parallel with the LED lamp.

In this picture, the adapter is connected to the junction box and affects all LEDs included in this circuit.

Let's look at the connection diagrams for pass-through touch switches.

This shows the connection of two touch pass-through switches.

Shown here is the connection of three pass-through touch switches.

Note that in the middle there is the same touch switch as at the edges. That is, touch devices are not divided into “simple” and “cross”.

In the chain of touch switches there is a “main” one - which is shown on the left; three wires go to it (one wire is from the load). Before starting work, the system must be synchronized. Touch the panel of the main device and wait for a beep for 5 seconds. After this, you need to touch the second switch. Synchronization completed. Next, the third, fourth, and so on are synchronized with the main switch.

Pass-through socket - it's very simple

Having become familiar with the remarkable properties of walk-through switches, we expect miracles from such an object as a walk-through socket. But there's nothing special here. There is simply an end socket (electrical wires that go to it that don’t go anywhere else) and a pass-through socket - it is connected to the wiring, to which several more sockets are connected.

Pass-through sockets have neither design nor circuit features. The name simply reflects their place in the electrical supply system.

What limits the number of pass-through switches

A chain of switches that allows switching electric current from several points should not be too cumbersome. The contacts resist electric current. It is small, but over a long chain of contacts the current can decrease noticeably. With a large number of switches connected one after another, the reliability of the circuit decreases and failures are possible. Therefore, we rarely see a string of pass-through and crossover switches of ten or more pieces. Most often this is a pair of switches, somewhat less often - a chain of three, four, five.

Using these devices makes life more convenient and saves energy.

Types of pass-through switches

So, we looked at different options for this class of devices. In conclusion, we list their types.

By technology:

• mechanical;
• semiconductor (touch, with remote control).

By the number of independent loads:

• single-line;
• multi-line (for 2, 3 groups of lamps).

In addition, mechanical switches come in two types:

• simple checkpoints;
• cross.

Connecting pass-through switches is very simple. Good luck!

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