Light switch with remote control

Content

Advantages and disadvantages
Wireless Specifications
Pros and cons
How to make a remote switch with your own hands?
Remote controller
Dimmers (switches with regulator)
Automatic assistants
Manufacturers
Installation methods and device functionality
Principle of operation
How to connect a smart switch?
Wireless switch design
How to choose a remote switch
Pros and cons of systems
Photo of modern touch switches

Advantages and disadvantages

Remote lighting control devices have both advantages and disadvantages.

The advantages of this type of device include the following characteristics:

Ease of installation. Installation and connection are not associated with wall chasing and electrical wiring.
The ability to control from a single remote control (smartphone, computer) immediately behind all the lighting fixtures.
Extensive signal reception area. In open areas, the signal extends to 20-350 meters. Walls and furniture slightly reduce the signal range.
Security for tenants

The remote switch is designed for a weak operating current, and therefore, even with careless damage to the structure, a person will not harm his health.

Disadvantages of wireless systems:

In terms of price, wireless devices are less accessible than traditional ones.
If the battery in the remote control runs out, the system cannot be controlled. The same problem occurs with poor Wi-Fi contact.

Wireless Specifications

A wireless light switch, regardless of brand, has the main characteristics:

control using buttons, sensors or remote control;
presence or absence of light intensity adjustment;
number of devices in the system (from 1 to 8);
range - from 10 m as standard, 15-20 m in the presence of a concrete wall, 100-150 m in line-of-sight mode;
autonomy - runs on batteries or from a mini-generator.

Budget modifications have all the listed functions. Advanced gadgets are equipped with several options:

start delay - they do not start working immediately, but at the moment they leave the room;
multi-channel - control of several switches within the same building;
the presence of a touch panel - activation by touch;
signal reception via Wi-Fi - signals are received from a smartphone, computer, tablet.

Pros and cons

Smart switches are divided into 3 types: touch, remote-controlled, hybrid. This lighting control system in an apartment or house has the following advantages:

the signal is transmitted over a wireless radio channel, so there is no need to lay a cable, it is possible to install such a switch anywhere in the apartment;
control can be carried out from one device (tablet, smartphone, touch phone, laptop, etc.);
the software is attached to the switch on a disk or is freely available on the manufacturer's website;
the ability to program several scenarios for each button of a smart light control device separately (this function is not available for all manufacturers);
impressive coverage area;
the device can be used with any type of light bulbs: conventional incandescent, LED, energy-saving.

How to make a remote switch with your own hands?

To build the device yourself, prepare the following:

MP325M board with control panel. You can use other circuits, for example, Arduino.
Battery type PW1245.
Optional MP325M signal transmitter.
Simple one-button switch.

The MP325M board set includes a receiver and a remote control, as a result, we have two transmitters in the kit. To solve the problem, you need exactly two devices.

Wiring diagram for a homemade device

Assembly procedure:

De-energize the section of the power line where the modification of the lighting system will be carried out.
Remove the standard switch from the mounting socket, then connect the two standard cables to each other. Electrical circuits must be insulated with electrical tape.
Take one of the transmitters to control the board and take it apart. Solder two pieces of electrical circuit to one of the control keys, soldering is carried out in parallel. The resulting contacts are stripped and connected to the switch contacts. The remote control board itself can be wrapped with electrical tape.
Further work is carried out next to the lighting device. It is necessary to connect two boards in accordance with the above diagram.
If a stretch ceiling is installed in the room, then the boards can be installed in the free space between the suspended and the main ceiling.In the absence of installation, it is carried out below the lighting cover. The battery and the main module must be insulated with tape.

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Remote controller

It is also called a “switcher” with a remote control - in addition to control from the remote control, this device switches loads in different sequences when controlled from a conventional switch. Designed to connect from two to four loads (depending on the controller model). Similar devices are used in modern chandeliers with many combinations of burning lamps (often they do not have remote control).

This device, in fact, combines two nodes: a mode switch (“switcher”) and the remote control device itself. The presence of the first, in my opinion, greatly limits the functionality of the device.

Why does the mode switch negatively affect practicality? It's simple: first of all, the entire controller is a switching device for several lighting groups using a conventional switch, and radio control is a secondary function, a bonus. In other words, the device is switched on in series with a conventional switch and is not designed for direct connection or equivalent control from both the remote control and the switch.

If the device is connected directly, without a switch, then when electricity is supplied, the first group of lights will be turned on automatically. The only way to turn off the light is with the remote control. That is, when power is turned off and then supplied, the first group of lamps will be turned on, without the knowledge of the owner. This is a very important point - lighting will depend on power outages.You come home, and honestly turned off the light is on without your knowledge.

When using this solution, there can be no talk of any quality use! This device must be connected in series with the switch and the remote control must be used only when closed contacts of a mechanical switch. You can talk about reliable switching on only when you can always turn on the light from the remote control and are not afraid that it will accidentally turn on due to problems with electricity. A truly high-quality solution can be considered when the light is controlled equally from a conventional switch and from the remote control, without false inclusions. After all, the remote control can always be lost.

For all of the above, you can make a verdict: the remote control controller is acceptable only in chandeliers with several groups of lamps that need to be controlled with one switch button. For a big name "smart House" - the device is too "stupid"!

This is interesting: How to choose and what are chandeliers with round shades?

Dimmers (switches with regulator)

They are a kind of rheostat, which is familiar to most of us from school physics lessons. The dimmer works on the same principle. The rheostat changes the resistance of the electrical circuit, and hence current in it. Higher resistance means less current. The lower the current, the dimmer the bulb included in the electrical circuit burns. With these switches, you can adjust the intensity of lighting by turning the control wheel.

The advantage of dimmers is energy saving (some devices even turn off on their own when no one is in the room) and ease of use.But there is also a minus: due to the high cost, not everyone can afford such switches. Note: dimmers work great with incandescent lamps, but LED lamps and lamps that have been fashionable lately can conflict and function incorrectly.

Automatic assistants

In a number of cases, light protection can be entrusted to automation controlled by various sensors.

Among them is a light sensor that gives a signal if there is too much or too little light. In this case, the curtains will close themselves with the onset of darkness and swing open when the sun comes out in the morning.

Another sensor is temperature. It is triggered when a certain temperature threshold is exceeded. If the room gets too hot from the sun, the curtains close automatically, protecting the interior from fading and houseplants from drying out.

The wind sensor is more often used to roll up awnings in strong winds, but it is also sometimes used on motorized roller shutters or blinds to protect windows. As soon as the wind gets too strong, they automatically close.

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Manufacturers

There are many models on the market from various manufacturers. Below we consider only the most popular wireless devices for controlling light:

Feron TM-75. This switch is made of plastic and is designed to work in networks with a voltage of 220 volts. The device has 20 channels, is designed for a 30-meter coverage area, is equipped with a remote control and a response delay setting.
Integrated 220V. The device is mounted on the wall and equipped with one key. The kit comes with a signal receiving unit. The operating voltage is 220 volts, and the signal reception radius reaches 50 meters.Fasteners of the plastic case are carried out using self-tapping screws or adhesive tape.
INTED-1CH. The power of the lamps can reach up to 900 watts, and the operating voltage indicator is 220 volts. The radio switch is designed to control not only light, but also other electrical appliances (for example, an alarm). The receiver is made as a small key fob capable of broadcasting a signal over a 100-meter distance. An important feature of the INTED-1-CH is its inability to work in wet rooms (additional protection is needed).
Inted 220V (model for two receivers). The device is controlled by two buttons. The number of channels is two.
BAS-IP SH-74. The device is equipped with a pair of independent channels. Management is carried out from a smartphone running on Android. To work, you need to install a special BAS application. The model is used to control incandescent lamps up to 500 watts. Fluorescent lamps are limited to 200 watts.
FeronTM72. The action of the switch extends to a 30-meter radius. The signals are sent to the receiver, and the lighting is controlled from the remote control. There are two channels for connecting groups of devices. Up to 1 kilowatt can be allocated to each channel, so you can use different types of lighting sources. The advantage of this modification is the response delay, which is adjustable from 10 to 60 seconds.
Three-channel switch Smartbuy. The device is used when it is necessary to connect light to three channels. Power is limited to 280 watts. The voltage rating is 220 volts. The signal capture zone is 30 meters.
Z-Wave CH-408. Radio-controlled switch that allows you to connect up to eight devices. Powered by a couple of batteries.The maximum distance to the control reaches 75 meters. Case protection class — IP30.
Switches from the company "Nootekhnika". The Belarusian company produces products under the name "NooLite Nootechnics". To use the backlight with LEDs of different colors, it may be necessary to program the modes. To do this, use a multifunctional RGB controller. The brightness of the light is adjusted using a dimmer.
Infrared device Sapphire-2503. Another product from Nootekhnika. The device is equipped with a dimmer, which is used only with standard incandescent lamps (it is not suitable for energy-saving light sources). Sapphire allows you to automatically turn off the lighting after a certain time, if the owner left the house, forgetting to turn off the light. Permissible load - from 40 to 400 watts.

Installation methods and device functionality

A remote-controlled switch, in addition to the simplest on-off function, allows you to control various groups of lighting fixtures, adjust their brightness and program the operation algorithm for a certain time. For example, you can program the lights to turn off at a certain hour in the morning, then the lighting will be guaranteed to be turned off for the duration of the absence of the owners of the house.

Regardless of the principle of operation, all models of remote switches differ in the method of installation and installation. Some of the devices are mounted in the lamp or in close proximity to it. Remote control devices are commercially available that screw into place of the lighting lamp and have one or more sockets for connecting lamps.

A lamp-mounted switch might look like this:

A switch with a lamp socket might look like this:

Some models are designed to be installed in place of regular switches. This method of installation is preferable because it does not require any additional work to change the electrical wiring. It is enough to dismantle the old switch and install a remote control receiver in its place using the existing wiring. These models are especially attractive in the case of an inconvenient layout of the apartment, when the existing switches are in uncomfortable places.

Usually built-in models have additional functions that allow you to control lighting without a remote control directly from the receiver. To do this, the receiver module is equipped with an additional switch of standard type or with touch control.

The combo switch might look like this:

Sometimes you can find a light switch with a remote control, equipped with feedback to find the lost remote control. This function is organized by installing an additional transmitting module in the switch and receiving in the remote control. Naturally, such an addition affects the cost of the kit.

Principle of operation

Equipped with a motion sensor. The device has an infrared port, so the lighting turns on only when there is someone in the room.
A remote switch that senses sound. The device responds to a specific sound or word.

The principle of operation is quite simple. Inside the coil is a steel core. It starts the contact mechanism, which connects and opens the power circuit.

After the button is pressed, the electric current reaches the power coil. The magnet, in turn, drives the steel core. Further, the mechanism of the device starts its work, which starts the electrical contact.

How to connect a smart switch?

The main problem with installing a smart switch is that, as a rule, there are round sockets in our walls. Most smart switches - including the popular Xiaomi Aqara - require a square one. Therefore, it is unlikely that it will be possible to do without drilling the wall.

To install Xiaomi Aqara, you will need a concrete drill, a chisel, plaster, a spatula, pliers, a screwdriver, adhesive tape, a pencil and floor mat. These tools will allow us to increase the recess in the wall without damaging the apartment in order to insert a square socket under the smart switch without a neutral wire. You need to act like this:

Lay the mat on the floor under the socket.
Attach a square socket to the wall and outline it along the contour with a pencil.
Break out the old round socket with pliers.
Attach the wire to the wall with tape so that it does not interfere.
Drill a hole in the wall along a square contour.
Using a chisel, remove concrete crumbs from the hole.
Check that the socket fits into the hole.

Apply plaster into the hole in a thick layer and insert the socket. The plaster will act as glue, that is, to hold the socket. Excess plaster must be removed with a spatula.
Disconnect the key from the switch using a screwdriver.
When the plaster is dry, you need to connect the switch to the wires and fix them with a screwdriver.
Fix the switch in the socket using the screws that come with the kit.
Set key.You just need to put it on the switch and press until it clicks.

This completes the installation of a smart switch from Xiaomi.

Wireless switch design

Since this is a wireless device, there must be a receiver that will receive the signal, and a transmitter that will transmit this signal. The receiver is a radio relay in various versions by type signal - via Wi-Fi, radio signal or remote control. Naturally, the relay itself is physically connected to the current consumer (for example, a light bulb), that is, using wires. Therefore, the unit is mounted, mainly next to the consumer or even in the same building with it.

The system can have one small remote control with just one button

The transmitter can be a remote control, a smartphone, or a separate touch panel. Sometimes wireless systems, especially in smart homes, combine several signal transmission technologies.

How to choose a remote switch

When choosing a remote light switch, you need to pay attention to many different factors and parameters. Of course, first of all, do not forget that the interior design must be supported even in such trifles as a light switch.

If you want to decide on the design of the switch in advance, before buying, evaluate the models by viewing photos of remote switches on the Internet.

The kit should always come with instructions that will tell you how to connect remote switch.

It is imperative that the cost matches the quality of the model.To do this, it is better to choose well-known electrical manufacturers. If you are not well versed in this matter, then be sure to consult at the outlet.

And do not save on quality, cheap models are unlikely to serve you for a long time, which is why it is better to choose more expensive models. You can connect any of these switches with your own hands, since the voltage is not high.

Until recently, remote switches were a novelty on the market, and now they are a modern and popular device that makes people's lives easier and more comfortable. If you have already decided to purchase such a switch, this article will tell you how to choose a remote switch.

Pros and cons of systems

Wireless devices for controlling lighting systems are practical, convenient and modern.

The main advantages of the modules include such positions as:

elementary installation, which does not entail dismantling the finishing of the walls, chasing and laying additional wiring branches;
the ability to control all the lighting fixtures in the room at once through a single control panel (smartphone, tablet, desktop computer with Internet access);
wide signal reception radius - from 20 to 350 meters, depending on the model, layout and degree of workload of the room with furniture and interior elements;
absolute operational safety for residents - the device is designed for a minimum level of operating current and even if used carelessly or if structural integrity is violated, it will not cause any harm to human health.

The list of shortcomings is not so wide, but, nevertheless, there are several important points in it.

Most often, wireless modules are reproached with a higher cost compared to wired counterparts and the impossibility of using the system in the event of a complete discharge of the battery in the remote control

Unstable Wi-Fi negatively affects the performance of the device. The receiver does not pick up a weak, poorly expressed signal, and blocks the user's ability to turn on / off household lighting.