Pass-through switch: connection diagram for 2 keys + tips for choosing and connecting

Helpful Hints

1. Calculate in advance the required (sufficient) cross-section and length of the wires, depending on the power of the light sources. The cross section cannot be less than one and a half square millimeters.
2. It is recommended that, in addition to the junction box, you also purchase an additional protective device that will protect against short circuits and overloads in the mains.
3. Choose terminal switches, and not with screwed screws, as the first connection option is stronger and more durable: the screws will need to be tightened after a while.
4. You can adjust the illumination with a single-key device! But for this, additional equipment is purchased and installed - the so-called dimmer.
5. If you will install a similar design to illuminate a bathroom or other wet place, in no case mount the switch indoors.
6. Note: if the switch is modular, then there is always one more near the input terminal. These two terminals must be connected to each other with a separate wire.
7. All connections and connections are strictly forbidden to be carried out outside special junction boxes. And in the case of complicated environmental conditions, additional protection must be made (for example, against water, humidity, ingress of other solid and liquid substances).
8. If you install a switch, for example, for a toilet, then one of the keys can turn on the light in this room, and the other - the hood.

It is not difficult to connect a switch that regulates the light with two keys, if you follow the above instructions exactly. Read all the instructions and helpful tips first so that you don't miss anything, then everything will work out!

Design and features of walk-through switches

The external pass-through device does not differ from the standard one. The difference can only be noticed when viewing the product from below - manufacturers put triangles on the case, directed horizontally downwards.The second difference is 3 terminals with copper contacts. One is on the top and two are on the bottom. Also, the pass-through device is switched through a three-core cable VVG-ng or NYM with a cross section of 1.5 mm².

Depending on the number of buttons, there are two-key, one-key and three-key modifications.

The difference between a pass-through and a conventional switch.

In comparison with classic two-pole models, you need to connect the feedthrough according to the following principle:

• serial connection of switches;
• the phase does not open, but switches to the second line;
• there are more output contacts than input contacts.

Nuances of choice

Before buying a walk-through switch, you need to consider:

• Mounting method - depends on the type of wiring. Overhead are installed on the surface with the help of self-tapping dowels. Built-in - in socket boxes on strut legs.
• Degree of protection - for a bedroom or a corridor, models with IP03 are suitable, for a bathroom - with IP04-IP05, for the street - with IP55.
• Type of contact clamps. Screw with clamping plates are reliable. Screwless springs are easier to install.
• Terminal markings - the designations N (zero), L (phase) and earth (ground) are used. The letters I and O mark the position of the buttons when turned on and off.

According to the type of control, the feeders are keyboard, touch, with remote control.

Connecting a pass switch

First of all, it is necessary to correctly connect the switch itself in the socket. Remove the key and overlay frames.

When disassembled, you can easily see the three contact terminals.

The most important thing is to find a common one. On quality products, a diagram should be drawn on the reverse side. If you understand them, then you can easily navigate through it.

If you have a budget model, or any electrical circuits are dark forest for you, then an ordinary Chinese tester in the continuity mode, or an indicator screwdriver with a battery, will come to the rescue.

Using the probes of the tester, alternately touch all the contacts and look for the one on which the tester will “beep” or show “0” at any position of the ON or OFF key. It is even easier to do this with an indicator screwdriver.

After you have found a common terminal, you need to connect the phase from the power cable to it. Attach the remaining two wires to the remaining terminals.

And which one goes where, does not make a significant difference. The switch is assembled and fixed in the socket.

With the second switch, do the same operation:

looking for a common thread

connect a phase conductor to it, which will go to the light bulb

connect two other wires to the remaining ones

Benefits of installing a walk-through switch

Pass-through switches allow you to control the lighting of a room from two or more places, which is an indisputable convenience. This is especially valuable for houses with several floors with flights of stairs. Here you can install the first switch on the first floor, and the next on the second, which will turn the light on downstairs and off upstairs.

Especially relevant is the use of walk-through switches to control the lighting of flights of stairs. A good solution is to install one switch at the entrance to the bedroom, and the second near the head of the bed, which will allow you to enter, turn on the light, get ready for bed, lie down and turn off the lights. It is also advisable to mount switches at the entrance to a house or apartment and at the end of the corridor.

Pass-through switches have significant advantages over conventional devices:

• high reliability and safety of operation;
• instant disconnection of the power supply of the premises, if necessary, from any point;
• optimal energy consumption;
• low cost;
• simple installation that does not require the involvement of specialists;
• no complicated settings.

The presence of walk-through switches allows you to turn on the lamps below with one switch, and when you go up the stairs, turn it off with another

Scheme of connecting the pass-through switch

If two lamps or two groups of lamps are used in the passage room and it is necessary to turn on either one of them, or one group, or all at once, two two-key switches are installed at the beginning and at the end of the route through this room. An example of such a circuit is shown in the image below.

From the diagram, it is obvious that each of the pair of contacts of both switches can be controlled separately and can always be set in such a position that the electrical circuit of the corresponding group of lamps (light bulbs) closes. Just like on the one hand, you can turn on the light in one of the three options for lamps, on the other hand, they can also be turned off. But if the route passes through two rooms, such a scheme is also convenient for controlling two groups of lamps.

The first group is installed in the first room or on the first floor. And the second group is located on the second floor or in the second room. When entering only the first room and without passing further than it, only the first group of lamps turns on. If you need to go further, all the lighting is turned on, both in the first and second rooms.And already being in the second room, you can turn off the light either completely, or only in the first room. A more visual representation and a better understanding of the operation of the circuit can be obtained from the image with two sketches of two-button switches. They provide control of two loads from two places.

However, such a scheme with two two-gang switches is not economical. When following through two rooms, you will need to immediately turn on the light in these rooms. It turns out that in the second room the light is already on, but the person has not yet arrived there. For such a case, it is more rational to use a two-gang switch located in the middle of the route near the door between the first and second rooms. And at the entrance to the first and second rooms, a single-key switch is installed in a place convenient for controlling the lamps. The circuit turns out to be the same as in the image already shown above, with the difference that the second two-key device is divided into two single-key devices, and they are installed in different places.

But at the same time, a more economical control scheme is obtained, which makes it possible to turn the lights on and off immediately when entering the room and when leaving it. From the diagram, it is obvious that the feed-through switch contains changeover contacts. That is, not each of the switches is suitable for use as a walk-through. Indeed, to control the lamps in the room, a switch with two terminals on the contact is enough. And for the pass-through option, three terminals per contact are required. Therefore, a two-gang switch has 6 terminals and two contacts - three terminals each.

Connecting a pass-through switch can be difficult only because of the large number of wires.But if you carefully connect the pre-marked ends of the wires with your own hands, you can avoid errors in the installation of such a circuit.

How to connect two light bulbs to a double switch

In distribution the box was brought to phase-zero power, a three-wire wire was lowered onto the switch. The phase conductor is connected to the common terminal of the switch, the other two conductors will be, it is a phase interrupted by contacts that return to the distribution box and each wire goes to its own lamp. Zero is common and leaves immediately from the junction box to the lamp holder.

Why zero on the lamp, and the phase on the break on the switch, this is related to safety. So that when the switch is off, the phase does not remain on the lamp holder.

Imagine a fictitious situation, a lamp burned out, you are trying to replace it, turned off the switch, took an aluminum stepladder, installed it on a damp concrete floor and climbed onto it, grabbed the lamp socket, and there is a phase on it, a current will pass through your body through a conductive stepladder, the consequences may range from falling from a height to fatal electric shock.

Hence the conclusion, before doing something, it is necessary to clearly present the expected result. It’s not worth doing it by the method of scientific poke and hoping maybe it will work out.

3 point switch types

Switches from three places are represented by two types of products: through passage and cross. The latter cannot be used without the former. By principle of operation cross are divided into:

1. Keyboards.
2. Swivel. A rotary mechanism is used to close the contacts. They are presented in a variety of designs and will cost more than usual.

Taking into account the installation, the cross ones are divided into:

1. Overhead. Mounting is carried out on top of the wall, does not require a recess in the wall to install the unit.If the decoration of the room is not planned, then this option is ideal. But such models are not reliable enough, because they are subject to external factors;
2. Embedded. Installed in the wall, suitable for wiring work in all types of buildings. A hole in the wall is pre-prepared according to the size of the switch box.

checkpoint

Unlike the classical model, the pass-through switch has three contacts and a mechanism that combines their work. The main advantage of the product is the ability to switch on or off from two, three or more points. The second name of such a switch is "toggle" or "duplicate".

The design of the two-key pass-through switch resembles two single-gang switches independent of each other, but with six contacts. Outwardly, a walk-through switch cannot be distinguished from a conventional switch if it were not for a special designation on it.

Scheme of connecting the wires of the pass-through switch in the junction box

Circuit without a ground conductor. Now the most important thing is to correctly assemble the circuit in the junction box. Four 3-core cables should go into it:

power cable from the switchboard lighting machine

cable to switch №1

cable to switch #2

cable for lamp or chandelier

When connecting wires, it is most convenient to orient by color. If you use a three-core VVG cable, then it has two most common color markings:

white (gray) - phase

blue - zero

yellow green - earth

or the second option:

White gray)

brown

black

To choose a more correct phasing in the second case, refer to the tips from the article “Color marking of wires. GOSTs and rules.”

The assembly begins with zero conductors.Connect the zero core from the cable of the introductory machine and the zero that goes to the lamp at one point through the car terminals.

Next, you need to connect all the ground wires if you have a ground conductor. Similarly to the neutral wires, you combine the “ground” from the input cable with the “ground” of the outgoing cable for lighting. This wire is connected to the body of the lamp.

It remains to connect the phase conductors correctly and without errors. The phase from the input cable must be connected to the phase of the outgoing wire to the common terminal of the feed-through switch No. 1. And connect the common wire from the feed-through switch No. 2 with a separate wago clamp to the phase conductor of the cable for lighting. Having completed all these connections, it remains only to connect the secondary (outgoing) cores from the switch No. 1 and No. 2 to each other

And it doesn't matter how you connect them.

You can even mix up the colors. But it is better to stick to the colors, so as not to get confused in the future. On this, you can consider the circuit fully assembled, apply voltage and check the lighting.

The basic connection rules in this scheme that you need to remember:

• The phase from the machine must come to the common conductor of the first switch
• The same phase should go from the common conductor of the second switch to the light bulb
• The other two auxiliary conductors are interconnected in the junction box
• Zero and earth are fed directly without switches directly to the light bulbs

Cross

Cross models with 4 pins, which allows you to connect two pins at the same time. Unlike walk-through models, cross models cannot be used on their own. They are installed complete with walk-throughs, they are designated identically on the diagrams.

These models are reminiscent of two soldered single-gang switches. Contacts are connected by special metal jumpers. Only one switch button is responsible for the operation of the contact system. If necessary, a cross model can be made by yourself.

Working principle of the cross disconnector

The pass-through device for turning on and off the light inside has four terminals - it looks the same as ordinary switches. Such an internal device is necessary for the cross-connection of the two lines that the switch will regulate. The disconnector at one moment can make the opening of the two remaining switches, after which they are connected together. The result is turning the light on and off.

Overview of walk-through switch manufacturers: popular models

Before you buy a pass-through switch, you should get acquainted with the leading manufacturers that produce the highest quality products. In this case, it will be much easier to navigate the assortment offered by specialized stores. The most popular brands include:

• Legrand;
• Schneider Electric;
• ABB;
• Viko;
• Lezard.

Products manufactured under the listed trademarks are distinguished by high build quality and long service life. With comparable technical characteristics, the price of walk-through switches can vary over a wide range. We offer you to get acquainted with the average prices, so that it is much easier to make a choice during the purchase process.

Legrand: the cost of the most popular models

When choosing a Legrand pass-through switch, it is worthwhile to clearly understand for what purposes a particular product is purchased, and what connection scheme should be implemented.In the manufacturer's catalog you can find single- and multi-key models of different colors and sizes. We offer you to get acquainted with the average prices for Legrand pass-through switches:

A photo	Model	Number of keys	Average cost, rubles
	Legrand Celiane	1	300
	Legrand 774308 Valena	2	380
	Legrand Kaptika	1	180
	legrand Etika	2	200
	Legrand Quteo	2	120

Schneider Electric: the cost of the most popular models

Under the well-known brand Schneider Electric, high-quality products with a stylish modern design are produced. Such devices are able to harmoniously fit into any interior. The availability of products with different colors will allow you to choose a model with a suitable design for any room. Check out the average prices for the most popular models:​

​

A photo	Model	Number of keys	Average cost, rubles
	Schneider Electric Unica	2	500
	Schneider Electric Unica	1	610
	Schneider Electric Etude	1	230
	Schneider Electric Sedna	1	280
	Schneider Electric Sedna	2	500
	Schneider Electric Glossa	1	110

ABB: the cost of the most popular models

ABB switches are manufactured using high quality materials. Such products are distinguished by high build quality and stylish design. Regardless of the chosen stylistic design of the room, you can always choose the most suitable option for a particular interior. In the manufacturer's collection, you can find a suitable option for a classic interior and decorated in high-tech style. We offer you to get acquainted with the average prices for the most popular models:

A photo	Model	Number of keys	Average cost, rubles
	ABB Basic 55	1	310
	ABB Zenith	1	200
	ABB STYLO	1	570
	ABB TACTO	1	930
	ABB TACTO	2	1180

Viko: the cost of the most popular models

Electrical products manufactured under the Viko trademark are presented in a fairly wide range. Thanks to this, you can choose the right option for a room of any purpose and area. Among the proposed models, you can find a suitable option for cost and design. Average rates are presented in the table:

A photo	Model	Number of keys	Average cost, rubles
	Viko Carmen	1	190
	Viko Karre	1	180
	Viko Vera	1	290
	Viko Vera	2	220
	Viko Karre	2	180
	Viko Palmiye	1	170

Lezard: the cost of the most popular models

The manufacturer offers a wide range of products, among which you can always choose a switch with a suitable stylistic design and a suitable color. Thanks to this, you can purchase a walk-through switch that can harmoniously fit into the interior of an apartment decorated in a certain color scheme. The cost of the product depends on the color design. We offer to compare the cost of products that have the same design, but different colors:

A photo	Model	Number of keys	Average cost, rubles
	Lezard Mira white	1	200
	Lezard Mira alder	1	330
	Lezard Nata cream	1	180
	Lezard Nata white	1	150
	Lezard Mira alder	2	270

Selection of the switch model and its installation

Modern consumer electronics stores offer a wide range of transitional switches. Regardless of the model, their connection scheme is similar, although there may be some nuances that are described in detail by the manufacturer in the instructions. The switch can have from one to three keys, depending on the features of your home's lighting system.

The installation of a system of two switches is easiest to consider using the example of devices from the most popular manufacturer - the French company Legrand.The scheme for connecting these devices to the network is shown in fig. 3. On it you can see that the two contacts that are at the bottom of each switch are connected by two wires to their corresponding contacts on the second device. This is done by inserting a two-wire wire into a junction box, in which they are twisted or soldered in pairs.

After that, a single phase wire is connected to the upper right contact of the first pass-through device, and from the corresponding (upper right) contact of the second switch it goes to the lighting device. Zero is also connected to the lamp.

It should be noted that the wiring to the switches, between them and to lighting fixtures, must be carried out in accordance with the norms for laying electrical networks in apartments. Wiring should be carried out by means of strobes or laying cables in special protective corrugations or metal armored sleeves.

To simplify the installation process of the entire system, it is recommended to use wires with different color markings. This will avoid confusion during installation and facilitate operations with a possible repair of the system, because the number of wires is quite large, increases with an increase in the number of devices involved and can confuse an inexperienced installer.

The choice of the cross section and winding of the wires connected to the system is one of the important steps towards building a lighting system that will work for a long time and without problems.

Particular attention should be paid to the winding material if you connect lighting fixtures on the street or in a damp basement.In this situation, moisture-proof wires should be preferred, since only they have the necessary resistance to corrosion.

Wiring should be carried out in a protective corrugation

Well-known manufacturers of pass-through switches

Legrand is a leader in the electrical goods market. The demand for Legrand walk-through switches is due to the high quality of products, ease of installation, convenience in further operation, stylish design and flexible pricing. The only drawback is the need to adjust the mounting location. If it does not match the product, difficulties may arise during its installation, which is carried out according to the connection diagram of the Legrand feed-through switch.

Feed-through switches from Legrand

A subsidiary of Legrand is the Chinese company Lezard. However, only a stylish design remained from the native brand. The build quality is much lower, due to the low cost of production.

One of the leading domestic manufacturers of electrical goods is the Wessen company, which is part of the Schneider Electric company. All products are manufactured according to the latest technologies on modern foreign equipment and comply with European quality standards. Models have a universal stylish design that allows you to fit each element into any interior space. A distinctive feature of Wessen switches is the ability to replace the decorative frame without dismantling the device.

Another equally well-known manufacturer is the Turkish company Viko.Products are characterized by high workmanship, reliability and durability, meet the requirements of electrical safety and European quality standards. In the manufacture of the device case, fireproof durable plastic is used, which is designed for a large number of work cycles.

The pass-through switch, unlike the usual one, has three conductive wires

The Turkish brand Makel offers quality, reliable, safe and stylish products. Thanks to the possibility of connecting a loop without the need to use a junction box, the installation of switches becomes easier, and further operation is comfortable and safe.

Popular range of feed-through switches

Passage switches Legrand from the Velena series are distinguished by a stylish design and a variety of color variations. Here are presented one and two-key products that have a dust and moisture protective layer. You can buy a switch from 300 rubles.

The Celiane series includes products in which the circular keys are inscribed in a square. They can be non-contact with levers or silent. The cost of switches starts from 700 rubles. The Exclusive Celiane range features a limited number of hand-crafted switches in marble, bamboo, porcelain, gold, myrtle and other materials. Frames are made to order. The price for the product starts from 5.9 thousand rubles.

Color solutions for switches from the Celiane series

The most popular series of switches from Lezard are Demet, Mira and Deriy. Here are products made of non-flammable polycarbonate, which meets the requirements of electrical safety.Conductive elements are made of phosphor bronze, which is characterized by high conductivity and low heating. You can buy a single-key switch through passage from 125 rubles.

The W 59 Frame series from Wessen uses a modular principle that allows you to install from 1 to 4 devices in one frame horizontally or vertically. The price of the product is 140 rubles. Single and double switches from the Asfora series are distinguished by a simple design, but high quality workmanship, which can be bought for 450 rubles.

Among the popular Makel series are Defne and Makel Mimoza. The body of the devices is made of high quality plastic, equipped with an internal reliable mechanism. The cost of products starts from 150 rubles.

When the on / off button is pressed, the moving contact of the feed-through switch is transferred from one contact to another, thus creating conditions for a new circuit in the future

The principle of operation and installation of switching devices do not present significant difficulties. It is necessary to first study the connection diagram and follow the recommendations of the electrical safety rules, which will make it possible to carry out reliable and safe installation of devices, thereby ensuring convenient and comfortable control of lighting fixtures in the house.

How to connect a pass switch: video connection diagrams

Selection, design and differences of walk-through switches

Before assembling such a control scheme, here are some things to pay special attention to:

1. To connect a light switch through, a three-core cable is required - VVGng-Ls 3 * 1.5 or NYM 3 * 1.5mm²
2. Do not try to assemble a similar circuit on ordinary switches.

The main difference between conventional and pass-through is the number of contacts.Simple single-key have two terminals for connecting wires (input and output), and pass-through - three!

On simple, the lighting circuit can be either closed or open, there is no third.

Since he, it switches the circuit from one working contact to another.

In appearance, from the front they can be exactly the same. Only on the pass-through key can there be an icon of vertical triangles. However, do not confuse them with flip or cross (more on them below). These triangles look in the horizontal direction.

But on the reverse side, you can immediately see the whole difference:

the feedthrough has 1 terminal at the top and 2 at the bottom

normal 1 top and 1 bottom

Many in this parameter confuse them with two-key ones. However, two-key ones will also not work here, although they also have three terminals. There is a significant difference in the work of contacts. When one contact is closed, the pass-through switches automatically close the other, but there is no such function in two-button switches. Moreover, the intermediate position, when both circuits are open, does not exist at the checkpoint at all.