Wireless light switch
Encyclopedia
A wireless light switch is a light switch
that commands a light
or home appliance
to turn itself off or on, instead of interrupting the power line going to the light fixture
. There are different ways to communicate between the switch and the fixture:
also have built-in transmitters.
situations where new wiring can be a hassle. Rather than tearing down a wall to gain access to the wires a wireless switch can be used. This avoids any need to access wires and makes remodeling fast and simple.
s, where electrical installations can be difficult because of the amount of routing
and drilling
that would otherwise be needed. When running a regular (non-wireless) circuit, the electrician
must drill a hole through all of the logs to get each wire to the switch location. The electrician also must route a large hole in the log to install a switch box. Wireless switches do not need switch boxes because there are no wires, and no routing is needed which decreases the electrical work required.
, EnOcean
and Ad Hoc Electronics manufacture wireless light switches that use energy harvesting
instead of batteries
. The mechanical energy created by pressing the switch generates enough electricity to power a built-in transmitter that sends a radio signal to the receiver.
Light switch
A light switch is a switch, most commonly used to operate electric lights, permanently connected equipment, or electrical outlets. In torches the switch is often near the bulb, but may be in the tail, or even the entire head itself may constitute the switch .-Wall-mounted switches:Switches for...
that commands a light
Light fixture
A light fixture, light fitting, or luminaire is an electrical device used to create artificial light and/or illumination, by use of an electric lamp...
or home appliance
Home appliance
Home appliances are electrical/mechanical machines which accomplish some household functions, such as cooking or cleaning. Home appliances can be classified into:*Major appliances, or White goods*Small appliances, or Brown goods...
to turn itself off or on, instead of interrupting the power line going to the light fixture
Light fixture
A light fixture, light fitting, or luminaire is an electrical device used to create artificial light and/or illumination, by use of an electric lamp...
. There are different ways to communicate between the switch and the fixture:
- Using radio transmission: A radio receiverReceiver (radio)A radio receiver converts signals from a radio antenna to a usable form. It uses electronic filters to separate a wanted radio frequency signal from all other signals, the electronic amplifier increases the level suitable for further processing, and finally recovers the desired information through...
is typically wired or screwed into a fixture or device, wired or otherwise connected to the electrical system of the building or plugged into an outlet. The radio receiver's memory is programmed by any number of means to respond to certain selected "switches" or (more correctly) remote control transmitters. - Using the existing power lines (such as INSTEONINSTEONInsteon is a system for connecting lighting switches and loads without extra wiring. INSTEON is a dual-band mesh home area networking topology employing AC-power lines and a radio-frequency protocol to communicate with devices...
or X10X10 (industry standard)X10 is an international and open industry standard for communication among electronic devices used for home automation, also known as domotics. It primarily uses power line wiring for signaling and control, where the signals involve brief radio frequency bursts representing digital information...
): A receiver is plugged into an outletDomestic AC power plugs and socketsAC power plugs and sockets are devices for removably connecting electrically operated devices to the power supply. Electrical plugs and sockets differ by country in rating, shape, size and type of connectors...
and a device is then plugged into the receiver. The plug-in receiver is then programmed to the switches. Some devices are hard wired into ceiling light fittings, making for a hidden system.
Complicated wiring
Multiple transmitters can be used with a single receiver, allowing more than the two-switch limit imposed by using a three-way switch. Some modern vehiclesHomeLink Wireless Control System
The HomeLink Wireless Control System is a radio frequency transmitter integrated into some automobiles that can be programmed to activate devices such as garage door openers, RF-controlled lighting, gates and locks, including those with rolling codes....
also have built-in transmitters.
Remodeling
Wireless light switches eliminate the wire from the light to the switch location. This is useful in remodelingRenovation
Renovation is the process of improving a structure. Two prominent types of renovations are commercial and residential.-Process:The process of a renovation, however complex, can usually be broken down into several processes...
situations where new wiring can be a hassle. Rather than tearing down a wall to gain access to the wires a wireless switch can be used. This avoids any need to access wires and makes remodeling fast and simple.
Log homes
Another use for wireless switches is in log homeLog home
A log home is structurally identical to a log cabin...
s, where electrical installations can be difficult because of the amount of routing
Wood router
A router is a tool used to rout out an area in the face of a relatively hard workpiece, typically of wood or plastic. The main application of routers is in woodworking, especially cabinetry....
and drilling
Drilling
Drilling is a cutting process that uses a drill bit to cut or enlarge a hole in solid materials. The drill bit is a multipoint, end cutting tool...
that would otherwise be needed. When running a regular (non-wireless) circuit, the electrician
Electrician
An electrician is a tradesman specializing in electrical wiring of buildings, stationary machines and related equipment. Electricians may be employed in the installation of new electrical components or the maintenance and repair of existing electrical infrastructure. Electricians may also...
must drill a hole through all of the logs to get each wire to the switch location. The electrician also must route a large hole in the log to install a switch box. Wireless switches do not need switch boxes because there are no wires, and no routing is needed which decreases the electrical work required.
Battery-free switches
Most wireless light switches, such as the X10 solutions, rely on batteries for power output. Lightning SwitchLightning Switch
Lightning Switch is a wireless and batteryless remote control switch technology manufactured by PulseSwitch Systems, a member of The Face Companies group of Norfolk, Virginia USA. It is most commonly used as a wireless light switch.- Energy harvesting :...
, EnOcean
EnOcean
EnOcean is a German wireless, energy harvesting technology used primarily in building automation systems, based in Oberhaching. It is not set out for international, European or national standardization; however, EnOcean GmbH is offering its technology and licenses for the patented features under...
and Ad Hoc Electronics manufacture wireless light switches that use energy harvesting
Energy harvesting
Energy harvesting is the process by which energy is derived from external sources , captured, and stored for small, wireless autonomous devices, like those used in wearable electronics and wireless sensor networks.Energy harvesters...
instead of batteries
Battery (electricity)
An electrical battery is one or more electrochemical cells that convert stored chemical energy into electrical energy. Since the invention of the first battery in 1800 by Alessandro Volta and especially since the technically improved Daniell cell in 1836, batteries have become a common power...
. The mechanical energy created by pressing the switch generates enough electricity to power a built-in transmitter that sends a radio signal to the receiver.