Lighting connection diagram with two switches. Drawings, designs, ideas. How to do the actual installation

Details Created 09/28/2014 05:56

You come to your home, turn on the lights in the hallway, take off your shoes, take off your outerwear, turn off the lights in the hallway, and in the dark, trying not to touch anything, walk into the room. It’s good if you have a short and wide corridor, and there are no obstacles on the way. Agree that it would be much more convenient not to turn off the light, but to go to the end of the corridor and turn it off there, that is, to have lighting with two switches.

In the case of a corridor, a lamp with two switches is not such an urgent need. But what if you have to climb the stairs of your house to the second floor in the dark, then wiring the chandelier to two switches would be much more useful. Although for many, a second chandelier switch near the bed is a very convenient thing. I went to bed, as usual, read or squeezed my tablet, and without getting up, I turned off the lights until the morning. It's not that difficult to do. No fancy device required. A lighting circuit with two switches will only require a length of three-wire cable and two three-way switches.

We are talking about the so-called pass-through switch (switch), also known as a dual-range or double-pole switch. In the diagrams it is depicted in different ways, but the essence does not change. Any of the two switches in the circuit can, regardless of the position of the other switch, both turn off and turn on the desired load. Below are several options that will help you understand how it works.

Connection diagram of a lamp to two switches

Wiring the lamp to two switches

Single-key pass-through switch with indicator

As mentioned earlier, a pass-through switch is very convenient in long spaces when you need to control lighting from two places. This can be connecting a chandelier to two switches in a room, especially in newfangled studio apartments, or using it in corridors, on stairs, and even to illuminate the path from the gate to the house on a summer cottage.

Pass-through electrical switches, compared to conventional ones, are designed for complex and comfortable lighting control. They allow you to control one lamp from several places. For example, you have a long room in your apartment: you came home after work, turned on the light at the entrance, undressed and went to the kitchen, and at the other end of the hallway you turned off the light with the second switch.

The convenience of such control is that there is no need to return to the starting position to turn off the lighting. Until recently, pass-through switches were used only in extended structures - corridors, staircases, and suburban areas. Now they are installed everywhere. For example, in a bedroom, one electrical switch is installed at the entrance, and the second is located near the bed. I went in and turned on the light, went to bed and turned it off.

Operating principle and terminology

The concept of “pass-through switch” does not entirely indicate its functionality. If it is used for its intended purpose, then it is more logical to use the term “pass-through switch”. But both options have taken root in everyday life.

The wired switch looks no different from the standard one. The only difference is in the organization of the contact system. First, let's remember how a regular switch works. Its main purpose is to open and close a circuit. The purpose of the switch is basically the same.

The difference can be seen if you look at the symbols.

The figure shows that the switch is equipped with a third contact, the purpose of which is very different from the two-gang switch, which also has three contacts.

In fact, the difference in the operation of switches and switches occurs at the moment the electrical circuit opens:

the switch breaks the circuit;
the switch breaks one circuit and closes the second.

The second circuit in this case is the contacts of the paired switch, since these devices do not work independently.

Let's consider a diagram for connecting pass-through switches with control from two places.

The operating principle of the contacts of such a switch is similar to a rocker arm. By the way, switches with a zero position are rarely, but still found on the market, that is, two circuits can be open at once. The pass-through switch can be used as a regular one - in this case the third contact is not connected.

We will not consider the second option, when a regular switch is made into a pass-through switch. This was typical for 90 years, but now there are a sufficient number of models on the market at reasonable prices and experimenting in this direction is not entirely advisable.

Types of switches

The figures below show functional diagrams of various pass-through switches.

The most common options:

single-key;
two-key;
three-key.

Also popular is a cross electrical switch, used for control from three or more places and consisting of two single-key switches paired with internal jumpers. A cross switch can be made from a two-gang electric switch by installing external jumpers. A crossbar has one key that simultaneously switches two contact groups, while a two-key crossbar has each key controlling its own group.

Connection diagrams to the electrical network

There are several switch connection schemes. The use of a specific circuit depends on the number of controlled luminaires and the number of control positions.

Control scheme from two places

First, let's look at the most popular scheme - control from two places.

To operate the switches, you will need to lay three-wire wiring to each device. The distribution box is mounted opposite one of the switches. The following wires are inserted into it:

power cable;
cable of one switch;
second switch cable;
lighting cable.

There may also be another cable outgoing line, but in a simple diagram it is not taken into account.

Let's look at the connection diagram in the junction box.

Control circuit for two lamps

This scheme will allow you to control two lamps from two places. It is almost the same as the previous one, with the exception of the use of two-key switches.

To save money, you can install an external jumper for the second section of the switch, rather than laying two wires to the first switch.

Three-location control scheme

To implement such a circuit, you will need a pair of single-key switches and a cross switch. To operate the crossover, you will need a four-core cable or two two-core cables.

Control schemes from four or more places

If you add another cross switch to the previous circuit, then you can control the lighting from four places. It is switched on in series with the first crossbar.

Control circuit for two lamps from three places

This scheme has many disadvantages - a large number of connections and a lot of hassle in marking the cable cores.

All the considered diagrams show the initial position of the contacts of the transition switches.

This is essentially all that a novice electrician should know.

Typically, one lighting structure is controlled by one electrical switch. That is, the chandelier located in the living room can only be turned off from the living room.

In addition, one switching device is usually installed per room, at the entrance. With its help, the electric lighting lamps in this room are controlled.

But there are often cases when this method of controlling lamps is inconvenient.

When the classic scheme may be inconvenient:

So, there are quite a lot of cases when a person needs duplicate rocker switches. Will come to the rescue in each of them a device that allows you to turn lamps on and off from different rooms, different keys and independently of each other.

This method is very practical and in addition to general convenience helps save energy. With the help of a pass-through electric switch, there is no need to leave the light on, for example, on the porch, all night. You can simply turn it on from the top floor as needed and turn it off near the front door.

A pass-through switch (switch) differs from a standard switching device in one design feature. It has three rather than two contacts and can switch phase from one contact to the other two in turn.

Lighting lamps connected according to this principle can be either , or . Moreover, in this way you can connect any devices, in addition to lighting, requiring a similar on/off circuit.

Schematic features

The installation diagram for this type of device is not complicated, but requires care.

IMPORTANT! At the stage of creating wiring in places where you plan to install changeover structures, you need to lay a three-core cable to the first two, and if you want to install a larger number of switches, you need to stretch a four-core cable to the next ones.

To create this type of lighting control from two places, you will need pass-through switches with two switching positions and three contacts. Wherein switching must be reversible, that is, the first node will be common to the remaining two. In one of the switching positions it closes the first, and in the other - the subsequent contact. The closedness of three connections at once is excluded in this design.

If we consider the components of a power line circuit with two reversible switching structures, then it includes:

Junction box, otherwise called branch box. Serves to protect electrical cable connections.
It is installed in every room, and in large rooms there are several of them.
Connecting (two, three and four-wire)
Two pass-through switching devices
Directly lamp

An example of pass-through switches from two places looks like this:

The “zero” wire goes from the source to the branch box, and after it to the lamp.
The wire goes from the same source to the same box, and then to the common contact of the first switch.
The changeover contacts (two) of switch 1 are connected through a junction box to the same parts of switch 2.
The phase from the common contact of switch 2 goes to another electrical unit of the lamp.

An approximate diagram of connecting a pass-through from two places is shown in the photo below:

Installing a control system for one lighting fixture from two points is simple. He is done as follows:

Install reversible switching structures in the required places
Remove three-wire cables from them
Mount an electric lamp, or several, connected in parallel
Remove the two-core cable from it (them)
Install the connecting pipe. The choice of location for it is determined by the shortest cable length and convenient access to the box itself
from power supply, changeover structures and electric lighting devices
Connect them as described above

With this connection, four contacts (two pairs) from both points are connected to each other. To turn on the lighting, the phase goes to the lighting device from the common node of the electrical switch 2.

As an example, we suggest you watch a video that shows a diagram of connecting pass-through switches from two places:

Step-by-step installation

Installation of pass-through switches is possible both with and with hidden types of wiring. It can be done on your own, subject to several safety rules:

Turn off the power to the apartment before starting work.
Attentively check where the phase is located and where the zero is.
Connect the wires with a neat twist, crimp and insulate them.
Hard secure on the surfaces there is a branch box and electrical accessories.
Determine the power of the lighting device and select a three-core cable of the appropriate cross-section based on the power consumption of electricity.

Connection diagram for a pass-through switch from two places:

Due to their design, redundant electrical switches do not have a specific “on/off” position your key. The two connecting nodes in this design are in the “closed/open” position depending on the position of the electrical contacts of the other switch. Consequently, the position of the key when the light is off will be different each time.

You can quickly get used to this feature of use and use the pass-through switches without interference.

Alternative

An alternative to pass-through redundant switches can be bistable relays or electric lamps equipped with motion and light sensors.

Bistable relays are more profitable to install, if you need to control the lighting not with two, but with four or more electrical switches. Lamps with are not as practical as a pass-through switch. The speed of movement, the number of stops and other factors will influence the constant on/off of electric lighting, which is extremely inconvenient.

The convenience of using pass-through electrical switches in everyday life has made the above-described control scheme for lighting lamps very popular. Currently, it is difficult to imagine a residential or industrial building where reversible switching structures are not used.

Noticeable energy savings lead to the widespread installation of such devices.
It is not at all difficult to implement this type of control of electric lighting devices in your home if you follow the recommendations given in our article and follow safety precautions.

In conclusion, we invite you to watch another informative and interesting video about the connection diagram and installation of pass-through switches from 2 places:

Hello, dear guests of the Electrician's Notes website.

Today I present to your attention an article about connection diagrams for pass-through switches (switches).

Pass-through switches are designed for comfort and convenience of lighting control from different places in your apartment, cottage or cottage.

Suppose you returned home in the evening, turned on the light at the entrance to the corridor, calmly, slowly undressed and went into your cozy bedroom. And what? You need to return to the corridor and turn off the lights.

So I’ll tell you that no. This is why pass-through switches exist, so that you can control the lighting comfortably and conveniently, i.e. The lighting you turned on in the hallway can be easily turned off from the bedroom.

There can be many places to use pass-through switches. I gave you just one example. In the article, read about in what places and at what height you need to install sockets and switches.

By the way, an alternative to transition switches can be or.

Now let's look at how to properly connect a pass-through switch.

You can learn how to choose the cross-section of wires and their colors from the following articles:

Connection diagram No. 1

This circuit is designed to control lighting from two places. It uses 2 single-type pass-through switches. This is what it looks like:

Each single pass-through switch has 3 contacts (1 input and 2 outputs).

The neutral wire from the power source passes through the junction box to the lamp. The phase wire comes into the distribution box, from it it goes to the common contact of pass-through switch No. 1. The two output contacts of pass-through switch No. 1 are connected through the distribution box to the two output contacts of pass-through switch No. 2. And then it leaves again from the common contact of pass-through switch No. 2 through the distribution box to the lamp.

Connection diagram No. 2

Sometimes it is necessary to control the lighting in a room from two places, as in the previous example, but only with different groups of lamps or light bulbs. For example, we want to control the lighting in a room from two places: from the hallway and from the room itself, but there are 5 light bulbs in the chandelier. Those. we need to control different groups of light bulbs in a chandelier. How to do this, see the diagram below:

In the above diagram, 3 light bulbs are connected in group 1 and 2 light bulbs are connected in group 2. The number of light bulbs in each group can be changed as you wish.

To do this, we need two pass-through switches, but not single ones, as in the previous diagram, but double ones. They are also called two-key pass-through switches. This is what it looks like:

A double (two-key) pass-through switch has 6 contacts (2 inputs and 4 outputs).

Essentially these are two single switches in one housing.

Connection diagram No. 3

This circuit is designed to control lighting from three places. It is not much different from previous schemes. The difference is that it includes another pass-through switch of a double paired type, or it is also called a cross switch, which differs from single and double ones. It has 4 pins (2 inputs and 2 outputs).

When you press the double paired switch, 2 independent contacts immediately switch.

P.S. The number of lighting control places is not limited to two or three, but can reach up to six or more. This is done in a similar way, i.e. The first and last pass-through switch is single (3 contacts), and between them - double paired (4 contacts).

Basically, one electrical switch is used for one lighting device. If you need to turn off the chandelier that is in the living room, you should go into this room. As a rule, one switching device is installed at the entrance to the room, thanks to which the electric lighting devices in this room are controlled. But sometimes you need two switches for one light bulb.

General information

There are situations when The classic option of connecting lamps is not justified:

There are quite a lot of cases when it is necessary to use redundant rocker switches. In such situations, a device is used that allows you to turn on and off lighting fixtures from different rooms and with different switches independently of each other.

This method is very effective and convenient, and it also helps save energy.

By using a pass-through electric switch, for example, you don’t have to leave the light on the porch of your house all night. On the top floor you can turn it on and turn it off near the front door.

Features of use

It is not at all difficult to connect two or more switches to one lamp or lamp. Such a scheme has one significant drawback in terms of ease of control of a lamp or luminaire. For example, if you use switch “A” to turn on the light, you cannot turn it off with switch “B”, you will only have to use the same “A”. This situation causes inconvenience and confusion.

If it is important to you that the light is controlled by two switches that are interconnected, using one switch to turn the light on, you could use the other to turn it off.

The main difference between the pass-through switch and the standard version of the switching device is design feature:

Lighting devices that are connected according to this principle can be either incandescent lamps or fluorescent lamps.

In addition to lighting fixtures, other devices that require an on and off circuit can be connected in a similar way.

Connection diagram for two switches

Installing such a circuit on one light bulb is not difficult. At the stage of creating the wiring at the points where the installation of changeover structures is planned, it is necessary to lay a three-core cable in advance before the first two. If you need more light switches, then you will have to use a four-core cable, which must be stretched to the next ones.

To be able to control lighting from two places simultaneously, you need to purchase pass-through switches, which are equipped with two switching positions and three contacts. In this case, the switching must be of a reversible nature, with the first node being common to the other two.

This switching position is characterized by the closure of the first, and in the second the subsequent contact is closed. Therefore, initially there is no simultaneous closure of three connections.

Components and devices

When considering the “two switches for one light bulb” circuit, which has two changeover switching structures, components can be distinguished:

connection (branch) box, which is used to protect electrical connecting cables - is present in every room; in large rooms several of them are installed;
connecting wires (two-, three- and four-wire);
the lamp itself;
two pass-through switching devices.

Principle of operation

Installation of a pass-through lamp switch:

The “zero” wire is laid from the source to the branch box, then goes to the lamp.
The “phase” wire is drawn from exactly the same source to the same box, and then laid to the common contact of the first switch.
Using a junction box, the two changeover contacts of the first switch are connected to exactly the same parts of the second switch.
The phase from the common contact of the second switch is connected to another electrical unit of the lamp.

The installation work of a control system for one lighting fixture operating from two places simultaneously is not complicated.

Installation is carried out as follows:

Install reversible switching structures in the required places.
Do not remove the three-core cables from them.
Install one or, if necessary, several electric lamps connected in parallel to each other.
Remove a two-core cable from one or several lighting fixtures.
Install the junction box, the location of which corresponds to convenient access to it and the shortest distance of the cable length.
Connect the wires from the changeover structures, power supply and the lighting fixtures to the box.
Connect them as described in the above paragraphs.

Such a system involves connecting four contacts (two pairs) to each other. When the lighting is turned on, the phase from the common node of the second electrical switch approaches the lighting fixture.

Safety conditions

Installation of pass-through switches is possible with both open and hidden wiring systems.

Installation can be carried out independently, but you must follow necessary safety rules:

Due to a design feature, the keys of backup electrical switches do not have a specific “on” or “off” position. Based on the position of the electrical contacts of the other switch, the two connecting nodes of this system correspond to the “closed” or “open” position. So with the lights off the key will be in a different position each time. This feature is not a problem - you can quickly get used to it.

Alternative options

There is an alternative to pass-through redundant switches. An alternative option is characterized by the presence of bistable relays or LED electric lights, which are equipped with motion and light sensors. Bistable relays are preferable to use when it is necessary to use not only two, but three, four or more electrical switches to control lighting.

Luminaires equipped with motion sensors are not as practical as walk-through switches. The number of stops, speed of movement and other parameters significantly influence the constant procedure of turning on or off electric lighting, which is an extremely inconvenient option.