For the convenience of users, especially in rooms with large area: sports or concert halls, long corridors, it is good to be able to turn off and on the lights from different places. This will eliminate unnecessary transitions from one end of the room to the other.

Two-contact pass-through switch

The connection diagram of a two-key pass-through switch 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-key pass-through switch are based on the principles of operation of a one-key cross-over switch.

Practically in one case, two single-key pass-through switches are assembled, which significantly expands its capabilities and the entire wiring diagram.

The principle of flipping contacts remained the same: the switch has two input terminals, 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 pass-through switches. In what position the keys of the used pass-through switch are located is not important. The capabilities of two-key pass-through switches allow you to create various options for light control schemes from two or even three places.

Two-seat control

Two two-key pass-through switches in the circuit are located in different places, operate 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, you can always turn on the light and turn off the light at the other end when you exit.

Places of installation of two-key pass-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 bit with victorious or diamond teeth, depending on the selected switch body.

Metal or plastic cylindrical boxes (socket boxes) are inserted into the holes. If the wiring is external, then the switch body 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. These can be chandeliers, cheap lamps, or sconces. Connections are made in parallel so that if one luminaire fails, the rest will continue to work. Wires are laid from them to the junction box; for the circuit to work, two cores in the cable are enough.

According to the requirements of the PUE (rules for electrical installations), for the sake of safety, the housings of the lighting fixtures are grounded. All modern lamps, chandeliers and other appliances are equipped with a grounding terminal.

Therefore, it is better to lay a cable with three cores:

• L - red phase;
• N - neutral working wire of blue or black color;
• ground wire yellow-green.

The design of a two-key pass-through switch provides 6 terminals for connecting wires, therefore, from each box under the switches to the junction box, you need to lay two three-core cables, leaving 15-20 cm ends for stripping the insulation and connecting the wires.

Connecting a two-pole switch

7 cables must converge into the junction box:

• 4 from switches;
• 2 from lighting groups;
• 1 power cable.

21 - wire, all are divorced into 8 contacts. It is required to make a disconnection according to the indicated scheme.

Lighting control circuit from two places

Requirement to match wires to color for designation L; N, ground, can only be performed on the sections of the power cable circuit and lighting groups. In the intervals from the 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 correct wire, use a multimeter in the dial 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 to a ground contact.

Office in three locations

This circuit uses the same elements as for 2-point switching plus a crossover two-button switch. It is located at any convenient point in the room according to the scheme between two two-key switches.

In terms of design and principle of operation, the cross two-rocker switch represents two two-way two-rocker switches in one housing. It can be replaced with two two-way two-key switches, but it is more practical to use the factory one in one housing.

In this model, one rocker switch is fitted with one common key, which synchronizes the flipping of the contacts of the two lines. The two-rocker switch terminals are bridged to ensure that current flows in the desired direction.

Cross two-rocker switch

The outermost two-rocker switches are connected with a cross-over four-core cable. The scheme works as follows: a working zero is started at once on two lighting groups. The phase comes to both input contacts of the first two-key pass-through switch.

Regardless of the position of the keys, current flows through 2 of the four input contacts of the cross switch through a jumper to the input of the second two-rocker pass-through switch. V this 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 of this row to cut off the power circuit. Likewise with the inclusion: it is necessary to change the position of any key in this row, and the circuit will be restored.

Lighting control circuit from three places

Pass-through switch designs significantly expand the switching capabilities of lighting circuits. They are versatile and can be used as conventional one-key switches or as double-rocker switches.

As a disadvantage, the cost can be noted: they are more expensive than simple models switches. 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 familiarize yourself with the features of connecting the 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-key pass-through switches, to understand the rationality of the practical application of circuits and their use, to master the technique of self-installation of lighting control systems from several places.

This will make it possible not to contact professional electricians and save significant money during electrical work in your own home.

Standard situation: you entered the house and turned on the light in the hallway, and then moved to the bedroom. Now you need to go back to put out the corridor light, which is not very convenient. And if the recreation room is located on the second floor of a private house, then you will have to climb the stairs twice to turn off the lighting in the hallway. To solve this problem, the connection diagram of the so-called pass-through switch will help, which allows you to activate the control of one lamp (or a group of lamps) from 2 places.

Two-point control principle

In practice, the system works as follows:

1. Entering a dark corridor, you light up a lighting fixture.
2. Having moved to another room or to the second floor, you turn it off with the second switch installed in this room.
3. Everyone who enters the house after you will be able to turn on the light in the hallway again and extinguish it in a convenient way at one of two points.

Note. With the same success, you can organize lighting control from 3 or even 4 different places, which will be discussed below.

Simply put, the light turns on and off at the first point, regardless of the position of the key in the second, and vice versa. The key element of the circuit is the pass-through (otherwise - marching) switch, which differs from the usual one-key switch with three contacts for connecting wiring. Two such devices must be installed in convenient places ah and connect to the electrical network with a triple (three-core) cable according to the following scheme:

In fact, our devices are switches that switch the phase current in one of two directions. Switching occurs between these lines, only from different sides. In whatever position the buttons are initially, pressing any of the two keys will lead to a short circuit or a break in the electrical circuit.

The photo shows that the middle contact closes to one of the extreme, there is no complete shutdown mode

Reference. Loop switches are far from new. Conventional, two-key and three-key models of products have been produced for a long time by well-known manufacturers of electrical equipment - Schneider Electric (Schneider Electric), Legrand (Legrand) and Lezard (Lezard). What does it look like similar device shown in the photo.

To control a group of lamps from different rooms with the ability to turn on one or several lamps, you need to use double (two-pole) switches and connect them according to the following scheme:

1. Install the pass-through switches on the plastic sockets in the required places. From each of them, route three-wire cables through the gates to the junction box.
2. Inside the box, connect directly the neutral and ground contacts leading to the light bulb. Connect the phase wires from the mains and the lamp to the conductors leading to the changeover contacts of the switches.
3. In the same place, dock the contacts of the double line between our buttons. This completes the installation.

Inclusion from 3 or more places

To implement such a lighting control, the shown circuit of the pass-through switch is supplemented with one more element. This is the so-called cross (otherwise - paired) switch for 4 contacts, whose installation is provided between the extreme disconnecting devices, as shown in the picture below. Its principle of operation is as follows:

• in the first position, the button directly closes both circuits;
• after switching, the lines are closed crosswise.

Note. If it is necessary to control the lamp from 4 or more places, then a second paired switch is added to the circuit, a third, and so on ad infinitum.

Switch off devices in in this case a little more complicated, since this is where a four-wire cable for connecting a crossover device arises. Wiring is better done inside the junction box, and not in socket boxes, while the colors of the wires should be duplicated with tags in order to avoid confusion. Available and detailed about the connection diagram is described in the video:

Common installation mistakes

When self-assembling the described schemes, the owners of apartments and private houses make several typical mistakes, which is why the system does not work initially or refuses in the near future. We list these shortcomings and the reasons that cause them:

1. One of the remote switches finally breaks the circuit (as a rule, cross), the rest also stop functioning. This is a clear sign of incorrect connection of contacts, you need to check everything and connect correctly.
2. One of the keyboards quickly burns out and has to be replaced frequently. Here, there is a high load from lamps on the switch contacts, designed for a maximum power of 2.2 kW (current 10 Amperes). If it cannot be reduced, you need to switch to another method of switching - using impulse relays with parallel connection of pushbutton switches.
3. Periodic flashing of luminescent and LED lamps operating from pass-through switches. The reason is low-quality products with poor insulation (there is a leak) or cheap micro-lamps for night illumination built into the cases for orientation in the dark.

An important point. A serious mistake, which under certain conditions leads to electric shock, is the connection to the disconnecting armature of a neutral wire instead of a phase wire.

Push-button dimmer combined with a pass-through switch

Also, malfunctions occur when used simultaneously with dimmer pass-through switches - electronic devices to adjust the brightness of the light bulbs. This happens when you are trying to assemble a circuit from cheap elements with poor quality insulation.

Conclusion

Despite the emergence of new methods of lighting switching using impulse relays and remote control units, the circuit with pass-through switches remains the simplest and most affordable component. There is only one drawback of the system: the keys do not have a fixed "on" and "off" position, which sometimes causes inconvenience. For example, being on the second floor of a house, you cannot see if the light on the first is turned off, and you cannot understand this by the toggle button.

Design engineer with over 8 years of experience in construction.
Graduated from the East Ukrainian National University. Vladimir Dahl with a degree in Electronic Industry Equipment in 2011.

Related entries:

When organizing lighting in places where it is necessary to control a light source from three places or more, intermediate or cross switches are used. This type switching devices are not used separately, but only with at least two feed-through switches. Installing and connecting them has its own characteristics, which you should be aware of. Further, for the readers of the site, instructions will be provided, clearly explaining how to connect a cross light switch from three places or more.

Cross switch application

The installation of such a device is necessary, for example, if you need to illuminate a long room, a corridor, a tunnel, and the entrance to it can be made from three or more doors. In this case, each person who enters can, by moving his hand and pressing the button of the switch installed at each of their entrances, turn on the artificial light source and, after moving to another door, turn off the same lamp with another switch located near the doors into which he entered.

Thus, any other sequence is possible, but in any case, a person can control one lamp or a whole group of light sources from three places. If the tunnel has more entrances and exits, then additional intermediate cross switches can be installed near them. The essence and performance of the lighting system will not change from this, only the number of switching devices will increase.

Design features

Structurally, the one-button cross-switch is a compact switching device that operates from mechanical impact on him. At the same time, the same sensor switching elements are on sale, they do not have a key, but only a touch button, but the essence of the device's operation remains the same. Only the mechanism of action changes, but the contact group and the principle of action remain the same. The cross switch consists of:

• output contact terminals for connecting wires;
• mechanism for fastening to the wall;
• conductive jumpers located inside the case;
• contact groups;
• mechanism of action on the contact switching group.

According to the method of installation, these switches are divided, like all others, into those intended for open (external) and hidden (laid inside the walls) wiring. That is, the structure can be of two types: invoice and built-in.

Very rarely, in exceptional cases, hybrid wiring is used, when the entire cable line is laid in a hidden way inside the walls, and the switches are installed outside, that is, overhead type. This special case arises when there is no way to make niches for undercounters or their implementation is problematic.

Cross switches look like ordinary pass-through switches and do not have a clear position on or off. Their difference is:

1. The presence of four contact terminals for connection. In case there are two control keys, then the number of terminals is multiplied by two.
2. Pair markings - entry and exit.
3. Impossibility to be used separately, but only with a pair.

By the way, these switches can be equipped not only with a key, but also with a rotary mechanism. In it, the contacts are closed due to a special rotary action mechanism. The principle of operation and the number of terminals do not change at the same time. They cost a little more, since they are considered design elements of decor, which are most often used during installation.

Intermediate switch connection rules

Before proceeding directly to the installation and connection of cross-connect switches, you must clearly understand the danger of electrical voltage in circuits with incorrect commutation. All work should be carried out only with the mains voltage disconnected, and also after checking that it is absent on the live parts of the cable to which the connection will take place.

In order to install a cross switch you will need:

• Junction boxes, their number depends on the area where you need to carry out this system lighting control. The rules here are the same with normal wiring, that is, all wire connections are made only in junction boxes.
• Cable products, that is, wires. Their cross section depends on the power of the light source, and the number of cores depends on the presence or absence of grounding on the luminaires. To connect between the switches, you will need a three-core wire and a four-core wire, better, of course, with copper conductors and with multi-colored markings.

So, by and large, a cross light switch is a connecting link between two pass-through switches, if it concerns control from three places.

Crossover switch connection diagram with bushing:

A three-core wire is connected to the first junction box, two of which are phase and zero, and the third is ground. The control of turning on and off the lamp is carried out by breaking and switching along the necessary circuits of the phase wire. Zero connects directly to the light source.

From the first junction box (if there are several of them), the phase wire must be connected to the pass-through switch, where it bifurcates due to the design of the device itself.

The next step is to install and connect the wire from the first pass-through switch to the crossover switch. At this stage, it is worth carefully considering the marking and connecting it to the input of the switch, which can be indicated by the corresponding arrows.

The output of the cross switch through the junction box or junction box must be connected to the feed-through; here, too, the marking must be observed according to the diagram and arrows printed on the device. If they are wiped off or illegible, it is recommended to use a multimeter or dial to find out where the terminals are, so that after installation and connection to the power supply network, you can be sure of the correctness of the work performed. Incorrect connection will lead to an emergency situation and a short circuit, and this is fraught with fire.

The single terminal of the pass-through switch is also directed through the junction box to the light source. In this case, you will also need a three-core wire from it to the lamp itself.

The video below clearly shows how to connect a crossover switch and 2 pass-through switches:

Features of the installation of the two-rocker switch

A two-key crossover or intermediate switch makes it possible to separately control two groups of lamps or any light sources. The peculiarity of the connection scheme is that it is installed only in a circuit with bushing elements that also have two buttons for switching on and off the load.

Wiring diagram for intermediate switch with two buttons:

The design of the cross switch with two keys has four inputs and four outputs, basically these are two single-key switching devices in one housing. Therefore, the selection of the conductor cross-section and the installation principles are identical. It should be noted that such devices are used extremely rarely, most often users need to illuminate long corridors or stairs and control one lamp or one group of lighting devices, and for this, 1 cross and 2 pass-through switches equipped with one single key are enough.

Four-seat control scheme

This control circuit has no big features, except that the cross switches should be intermediate and installed in series with each other, between the passage elements for turning on the lighting.

Wiring diagram for two cross switches:

It should be noted that all of the above schemes work in the same way with any type of lamp, and the ground wire is an element of human protection in case of insulation breakdown. must be carried out in accordance with the relevant rules, the main thing in this is its reliability and durability without oxidation and deterioration of contact.

Now you know how to connect the cross switch to the bushing. We hope that the provided wiring diagrams and video tutorials helped you figure out the correct wiring!

"Pass-through switch: connection diagram" is a topical issue for today. Nowadays, people strive to improve the comfort of their lives, which is why innovations are being developed, new approaches to everyday life, both interesting and useful recommendations. For the same purposes, people use different mechanisms, devices, units that can free from unnecessary actions. This includes pass-through switches. They greatly simplify the use of everyone's familiar electrical switch and allow you not to make unnecessary movements. But if you connect them, it is better to entrust such switches to professionals. Having decided nevertheless on self-installation pass-through switch, be careful.

How to get started on creating switches

When installing a switch, you need to prepare a place for it. It must be remembered that the connection diagram of the device is important. It will allow you to turn on or off the lighting from different points of the passage switch installation. Sometimes this is a necessary measure, but in general, a very convenient system. For example, if the apartment or house has a large corridor, and the light turns on at the front door. With a double wiring, you don't have to go back to turn off the lights. This is the secret 2x buttons. They are also actively used on stairs - at the beginning and end of the flight.

In a spacious room where many lighting devices are installed, with pass-through switches, you will be able to control them easily from anywhere. If this is a bedroom, three pass-through switches are often used, with which you can provide yourself with lighting control from any point in the room.

Create a diagram for connecting a pass-through switch

To understand the specifics of the circuit breakers connection, you need to consider it in detail. To make such a device, two switches will be needed. It is very important that they each have 3 contacts and 2 switching positions. In this case, the mode of the switches has a "throw-over character". This means that two contacts have one common one. He closes in on each of them, in different positions. All three contacts cannot be closed at the same time. Before connecting the pass-through switch, you need to take care of the circuit.

The circuit breaker circuit is as follows:

• wiring connects the light source and a special box, and then goes to the lamp
• other wiring (it is called phase) connects general contact switches
• the contacts of the switches are interconnected (a box is used here)
• the phase is fed via the contact of the 2nd switch to the 2nd contact of the luminaire

Pass-through switch: wiring diagram

A few more words about the circuit: we install each device in its place, from one there are several cables. Then you need to mount the lamps (they will run parallel to each other). After that, the box is mounted (taking into account the size of the cable and the choice of convenient places for installing the box). It is necessary to enter the cable of the lamps of the actual pass-through switches and power supply into it. The box allows you to interconnect the wiring.

The stage at which the choice of places for connecting the pass-through switch is very important.

Varieties of devices

Such switches also have their own varieties, like conventional switches. The main classification feature is the number of keys. They can be:

• one

They are chosen depending on the location.

There are more modern devices- with touch connection principle. Manufacturers are introducing and innovative developments - this is an example of a circuit breaker with remote system connections, more precisely with remote control. Not everyone evaluates such a decision as rational, often this principle pass-through switch is called a "tribute to fashion", however, such innovations are also actively used. From the point of view of a rational approach, instead of "remote control", simply two switches duplicating each other are used.

How pass-through switches differ from conventional

The pass-through switch has several differences compared to the conventional one. But the way the circuit is arranged is quite similar, the choice of places for installation is similar.

The exceptions are as follows:

• pass-through switches are deprived of the "off" (off) position - the matter is in the design features of the device. The circuit does not break, but switches from one position to another
• when a backup switch is connected, not 2, but 3 wires are used (in this switch, the connection diagram can be described as follows: the operation of two pass-through switches is provided by 3 "cores", and as a result, the phase does not break)

Installation of an electrical pass-through switch: terms

Installation of electrical pass-through switches can take different time - as a rule, it is several hours. Installation time of pass-through switches depends on:

• model and type of device
• the experience of the master who installs the pass-through switch
• features of the places where the device will be located
• Have you created a complicated wiring diagram for the switch?

How to quickly connect your pass-through electrical switch?

Either practice yourself on the subject of installing the pass-through switches, or contact the specialists who professionally connect the pass-through switch.

Switch and circuit: professional services

In order to draw a diagram and mount the pass-through switches, it is not at all necessary to contact a specialized service, to hire an electrician. You can independently take up the choice of places for devices, figure out the connection diagram of the pass-through switch and, in fact, install the pass-through switches.

Imagine a situation: at night, in front of you is a long staircase to the second floor where it is dark, like in a forest. You pressed the light switch and it became light, but when you climbed the stairs you realized that the light can only be extinguished with the switch at the top ...

To be able to turn the lights on and off from two different locations, simply buy an extra walk-through switch for the stairs. This is not the only solution, but it is by far the most popular. There are more, which are mentioned in another entry. But within the framework of this article, we will analyze the following questions:

• Staircase switches operation
• Way of connecting pass-through switches
• Practical example and implementation of the switching circuit
• Possibility to create a lamp control circuit from 3 or more places.

So, thanks to the ladder switches, you can light the same lamp from two different locations. Not necessarily on the stairs. This can be any large room where it is reasonable to control the lamp from two places. In general, such switches can be used to turn on / off any device from two places, not necessarily just a lamp.

How Ladder Switches Work

A simplified diagram looks like this (take a closer look at the animation).

1. We provide electrical potential through the phase wire (L).
2. The switches are connected by two brown and gray wires (in the diagram).
3. The light comes on when electricity from the L-wire reaches the lamp.
4. The circuit can be broken independently, either with the ladder switch S1 or with S2.
5. With the help of the ladder switch, the circuit is not completely broken, but which electrical potential is transferred to the second switch.

Thus, a pass-through switch has one more contact compared to a single switch. In the usual 2, and here 3 terminals for connecting wires.

The following diagram has more to do with reality. So let's see what's going on here:

1. The power cord connects to switch S1.
2. We connect neutral (N) and protective (PE) wires outside the circuit breakers using electrical connectors. The protective conductor connector is connected to the lamp housing (or PE terminal), the neutral wire to terminal N.
3. The power phase conductor (L) is connected to terminal No. 1 of switch S1. After this operation and voltage is applied, the potential will be supplied either to terminal No. 2 or to terminal No. 3 of switch S1.
4. Therefore, the 220V electric current at terminals 2 or 3 will reach switch S2.
5. If switches S1 and S2 are in the same position, electric potential will appear at terminal No. 1 of switch S2 and the light will turn on.

In order for the light to light up, it is extremely important that the circuit is not interrupted starting from the 220 V supply phase wire (L) and ending with the lamp.

Schematic diagram of the pass-through switch

Three things have changed on it:

1. Junction box S1 has two cables connected to switch S2, which are used to power other light switches.
2. All neutral and all protective conductors are connected with two separate connectors. Since there are only two contacts in terminal # 1 of the staircase switch S1, an additional electrical connector must be used to which they will be connected: L phase conductor, phase conductors leading to other switches and S1 power supply.
3. There is a fourth cable (black) between the switch box S2 and the lamp. This may be useful in the future, but in this configuration it is not used or associated with anything.

Step by step installation

Pass-through switch S1

Let us remind you once again - we always start any installation with a disconnection of the voltage in the 220V network. Before starting work, using a voltage tester, make sure that there is no electrical potential on the power cables, preferably on all leads coming out of the box.

The kind of wires that come out of the box. We need a power cord and a cable that is routed to switch S2.

We will immediately connect all the wires so that we do not have to unscrew the switch again later.

Connect all neutral wires to one connector and all protective wires to another connector. Use pliers during this operation.

When all neutral and protective wires are connected, we put them in the electrical box. 5 phase wires left:

• Power supply - 1 pc.
• To supply other switches - 2 pcs.
• For S2 stair switch - 2 pcs.

The power cable and two cords for other circuit breakers are connected together in the electrical connector. We also connect a short cable several centimeters long to this connector, which will be connected to terminal 1 of switch S1.

The short-circuit cord is connected on one side, and the wires leading to the switch S2 are on the second (top) side of the switch. Once voltage is applied, the electrical potential in the line will be transferred to either the brown or black wire, depending on the position of the switch.

The last step is assembly and alignment circuit breaker... Let's put back the frame and the key. Here's another drawing of how everything should be connected in a box:

Pass-through switch S2

We pass to the second place (switch). We have two cables, each with 4 wires:

• cable outlet from switch S1 (bottom)
• cable that leads to the lamp (top)

Due to the absence of a blue conductor, the gray conductor is wrapped in blue electrical tape to indicate that it is a neutral conductor.

Like switch S1, we connect the protective conductors with one connector and the neutral conductors using the second connector.

There are 4 phase wires left, of which the black one, leading to the lamp, will not be used in accordance with the diagram.

We fix the wires. On the top side, connect the wires from switch S1, and the bottom phase wire goes to the lamp.

Depending on the position of switch S1, the potential will be on either the brown wire (top) or the black wire. That is, depending on the position of switch S2, the guide wire to the lamp (bottom brown) will be connected to one of the top wires.

Now reassemble, put on the frame and the key again.

3-seat pass-through switch

Is it possible to connect more switches to control the lighting of one lamp? By using only conventional step switches, it is not possible to control the lamp from more than two locations. For more more places need to buy cross switches, which are placed between the stairs, as shown in the diagram.

Let's summarize the work done

Thus, a ladder switch provides an inexpensive and easy way to control lighting from two different locations. However, this requires preliminary planning and the laying of additional cables between them even at the stage of repair / construction of the wiring. At a later stage, this operation can be difficult - you have to run the wire along the wall or gouge a channel in it.