The reliability of any system is higher, the less moving elements are in it. Therefore, considering a mechanical type light switch and a touch one, it can be noted that the latter has serious advantages in this sense. But, in addition to reliability, touch devices amaze, of course, with their futurism. Space-saving design and advanced functionality, what could better meet the trend of modern technology?
Touch switch - what is it
The touch device is able to feel any impact on it. Speaking of a switch, such an impact will be a person touching the area of \u200b\u200bthe sensitive zone. But, unlike a mechanical switch, apart from a light touch of the operator, no additional effort is required for the device to work. Moreover, a second touch in the same area will change the state of the device - to the opposite.
The touch light switch, like a conventional electromechanical one, is designed to turn the lighting on and off. Butthis happens not with a direct mechanical break of the contact, but through an electronic circuit that first analyzes the signal coming from the sensor (sensor) and gives a command to the relay. Therefore, it is incorrect to say that a switch with a sensor device is completely devoid of mechanics. But the reliability of such a relay is much higher than a simple mechanical contact.
The appearance of the device may be completely different. But in all cases, this is a panel that has a certain background and touch zones are clearly marked. For ease of orientation in a dark room, the sensors are highlighted with a special indication. Switches are available in one, two or three positions with the ability to switch up to three zones.
What the device consists of
Schematically, all touch switches are similar to each other. Their work is based on the same processes. Therefore, one device node (meaning the switching node) is assembled on the following three main elements:
- The sensor or sensor is a sensitive component that is located immediately behind the front decorative panel. Its tasks include responding to the touch or approach of an object, in particular, a human finger.
- Analytical control scheme. A processor based on semiconductor elements and microcircuits that processes sensor information and sends a signal to an actuator.
- A relay or a switching device is an executive body of a touch sensor, which already breaks or turns on the circuit, depending on the control signal,coming to it from the processor.
Connecting the touch switch to the network
Despite the fact that the sensor is a complex electronic device, its installation in the circuit does not require any special knowledge from the installer. All this is explained by the presence of typical contact connectors in the switch, which are also found in mechanical switches.
Also, the size of the sensor seat and its mounting elements are consistent with standard installation boxes.
Let's take a closer look at how to connect the touch switch:
- Disconnect the switchgear installation site from the mains.
- Remove the decorative panel by pressing the latches.
- Find the phase and line contacts on the sensor connectors (they are marked "L-in" and "L-load" respectively).
- Connect the appropriate wires to the contacts - phase to "L-in", lighting fixture wire to "L-load".
- Install the device in the landing box.
- Fix the switch to the box using adjustable levers and self-tapping screws.
- Install the faceplate on the device.
The more switching zones a switch can provide, the more pairs of contacts it will have on the back side.
Connecting the sensor to a table lamp
The general lighting of the room is not always enough for normal work. This is because the chandelier is usuallyis located in a certain place on the ceiling and its light may not fall very well on the workplace. The way out of the situation is to purchase a table lamp.
The inconvenience of most table lamps is that the mechanical switch is usually located not on the body of the product itself, but on the power cord. To look for such a switch, especially at the night light, to put it mildly, is inconvenient. With the advent of the touch lamp switch, an opportunity arose to remedy the situation.
The sensor is better suited for these purposes than a conventional switch, because the latter must be embedded into the front panel - this is not always successful in terms of aesthetics. The touch switch can simply be hidden under the body of the product, as close as possible to the surface. To install the sensor in a table lamp, you need:
- Turn the table lamp upside down, there will be a protective cover or plate below, which must be unscrewed with a curly screwdriver or adjustable wrench.
- Disconnect the wires from the power cord.
- Unscrew the body weight, it can be plastic with the addition of mineral filler.
- In the weighting agent, you need to cut out a place for installing the sensor with a grinder. This place should be convenient to turn on, so that at the moment of bringing the hand up, nothing would interfere with it from above.
- Screw the weight in place, and insert the touch switch into the freed space with the side of the sensor as close as possible to the decorative lamp body.
- You can fix the sensor with hot glue and a soldering iron, carefully gluing it to the weighting agent.
- Strip the sensor leads and connect one of them to the lamp wire, the other to the power cord wire. Connect the free wire of the lamp to the remaining wire of the power cord. Carefully insulate all contacts with tape.
- Replace the protective bottom plate.
Connecting the sensor to the control panel
The touch switch is convenient to use, but sometimes there are times when you need to bind a control panel to it. Most sensors support this feature. This may be necessary if it is impossible for a sick person to approach the switch and in other situations. Using the example of a Livolo touch device, it is convenient to disassemble how this connection process takes place:
- VL-RMT-02 type universal remote control for touch devices is available. It looks like a car security key fob, the front panel of which has four buttons marked with the first four capital letters of the Latin alphabet. The remote control is compatible with the C7 and C6 switch series.
- The touch device is turned off.
- Pressing and holding the button for up to 5 seconds approximately, wait for the sound signal.
- On the key fob, press any of the buttons A, B, C, a repeated beep indicates that the remote control is connected to the button that was pressed.
- It's easy to untie the remote control from the sensor,by pressing and holding the last button until the second of consecutive beeps appears.
Instrument selection criteria
Just like conventional switches, devices are designed to work with a certain current and voltage, so when choosing them, you must first pay attention to these parameters. Information can be found on the body of the device or on its packaging. If the electricity in a real network deviates from the parameters required by the switch, then a stabilizer must be included in the circuit.
Other selection criteria are:
- Number of zones connected to one device.
- The need for a dimmer.
- The need to have a timer, remote control, temperature sensor or other additional function in the device.
- Device type - LED touch switch, for other lamps or electrical appliances.
At the very last stage, you can decide on the design of the product, its compliance with the style of the room where it will be installed.
Benefits
If we compare two types of switches - classic and touch, then the latter has a wide range of advantages:
- Able to pair with most lighting systems and equipment.
- Longer service life with high operational reliability.
- Safety for human life and he alth when used even with wet hands.
- Advanced functionality.
- Easy to connect and install.
- Silentwork.
- Aesthetic appeal of appearance.
With the help of touch switches for lighting devices, you can effectively save electrical energy. To do this, they do not acquire ordinary devices, but those that have a dimmer function. This allows you to reduce the voltage supply to the lamp, thereby changing the brightness of its burning.
In conclusion
When installing any systems (desk touch switches or wall-mounted), you should not forget that working with electricity requires utmost care and safety. Therefore, in the absence of the necessary skills, it is better to invite a qualified electrician to install.
