Remote light switch with remote control

To increase comfort when using lighting devices, a remote light switch is widely used. Such devices are equipped with a remote control and allow you to control the operation of lighting systems and individual lamps at a distance.

Design and principle of operation of the remote switch

The main elements that make up such a device is a remote control (DU) and a power unit equipped with a signal receiver. When using radio frequency remote control systems, they include a controller with which you can to control the operation of incandescent lamps, halogen, fluorescent or LED lamps. At the same time, it is possible to control both single lighting devices and large groups of lamps.

Depending on which of circuit breakers a command from the remote control must be transmitted, it gives a signal, additionally including a recognition code. This code is correctly accepted by the device that is responsible for switching the electrical contacts of the desired lamp.

The distance at which remote lighting control is possible, depending on the purpose and operating conditions of the circuit breakers, can be from 20 to 500 m.

Remote light switches can be controlled using infrared, ultrasonic, radio frequency and other devices.

The advantages of remote switches include:

1. The ability to control the operation of lighting devices at a distance. This quality of the circuit breakers is especially valuable when placing a significant number of lamps in large areas, as well as on the street.
2. The ability to control the intensity of the glow of the lamps depending on the level of natural light in the rooms. This technical solution allows you to achieve significant savings in electrical energy, which is especially important if you need to illuminate large areas.
3. The ability to program the switch to turn on the lighting at a specific time (the so-called presence effect).
4. Easy to install and operate.
5. Multi-channel, allowing you to control a large number of lighting devices from one remote control.
6. The power of electrical appliances, the switching of which can be carried out using the remote control, reaches 5 kW.
7. No need to lay additional electrical wiring, which ensures the operation of an ordinary wire switch.
8. Increased electrical and fire safety of such devices.

The disadvantages of remote lighting control systems include their high cost, as well as the effect of metal structures on the operation of radio wave devices.

To increase operating efficiency, the remote light switch can use light or motion sensors. It is also possible to control such a device using a computer or smartphone.

The most common type of control for this type of circuit breaker is the use of radio wave remotes. Infrared devices are much less commonly used.

Radio wave circuit breaker control devices

For the functioning of such devices, a controller is used that receives a signal from the remote control at a certain radio frequency and controls the operation of lighting devices.

Such systems allow you to use computers or smartphones to control the lighting system. In addition, radio frequency control provides a longer range.

Using the radio switch, you can adjust the lighting in manual or automatic mode. To turn the lamps on or off, a stationary switch or remote control can be used. To implement the switching of the electric circuit in such devices, a power unit is used. Depending on the type of lighting fixtures, as well as their power, an electronic or induction transformer can be used as part of this unit.

The light switch with remote control can be located in any place convenient for the user, and its power unit - directly in the lamp housing or in the distribution panel.

Infrared devices

Remote controls that use infrared radiation to transmit commands to the remote circuit control circuit are rarely used today. This is explained by their quite significant shortcomings, such as a small radius of action, as well as the need to direct the console directly to the switch.

In order to ensure the operation of such a device, a special lighting control unit is used. The advantage of using such equipment in an apartment is the ability to control lighting using an ordinary TV remote control.

Using sensors

In addition to the portable remote control, various types of sensors are widely used to ensure the effective operation of remote switches. The most popular of these are infrared, microwave, and sound devices.

Infrared motion sensors

They are the most common type of such devices. Their principle of operation is based on the closure or opening of the electrical circuit when the sensor picks up the appearance of additional infrared radiation in its working area. This occurs when it enters the human or animal sector.

The advantages of devices of this type include absolute safety for health, low cost, as well as efficiency and ease of use.

The disadvantages of such sensors include the dependence of the quality of their work on weather conditions, the possibility of false triggering or lack of reaction to getting into the zone of action of a person in dense winter clothes, which limits heat transfer.

In most cases, such devices are installed at the entrance to the apartment or in the entrance, they are designed to automatically turn on and off the lighting on the stairwells and can significantly save electricity.

Depending on the operating conditions, sensors can be selected that have a different degree of protection against mechanical stress, as well as moisture and dust. The degree of protection is indicated by the letters IP and the corresponding numbers, the value of the first of which shows the protection of the device from penetration of solid objects into its body, and the second - water. Infrared sensors for light switches with remote control have at least IP20 protection.

Typically, such devices have a range of not more than 20 m. This is enough to ensure reliable operation of the light switch when entering the apartment. Another important parameter that significantly affects the performance and price of these products is the angle of coverage, which in the horizontal plane can reach 3600.

 Microwave sensors

The principle of operation of these devices is based on the constant emission and reception of microwave electromagnetic signals. Based on the analysis of the received electromagnetic waves, the sensor determines the entry into the zone of its responsibility of foreign objects and gives a command to close or open the power circuit. Such devices are completely independent of weather conditions, but false alarms are possible when using them, in addition, electromagnetic radiation can adversely affect people's health.

Sound sensors

The principle of their action is the same as that of previous devices. The difference lies in the fact that the waves of the ultrasonic range are used as perceived signals. The disadvantage of these products is their low sensitivity to slowly moving objects, as well as the negative impact of ultrasound on the behavior of some animals.

Another type of sound sensors include devices that are triggered by a sudden change in sound volume in the range familiar to the human ear. They are used to turn on or off the light in rooms with the help of voice or clap. Most often, such voice switches are used in smart home systems.

Features of the choice of remote switches

Like most highly specialized products, these sensors can be used in combined devices that combine the advantages of each type. When choosing a remote light switch, special attention should be paid to the power of its power unit, which is designed for switching an electrical circuit with a certain allowable value load.

Another important feature that you should pay attention to when choosing remote lighting control devices is the ability of their power units to work with various types of lamps.

Also of great importance is the ability of the controller to change the intensity of lighting, work with a large number of individual lamps and other additional functions.