![Dimmer switch with RF-based lighting control](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/8/82/Dimmer_switch_with_RF-based_lighting_control.jpg)
A wireless light switch is a
light switch
In electrical wiring, a light switch is a switch most commonly used to operate electric lights, permanently connected equipment, or electrical outlets. Portable lamps such as table lamps may have a light switch mounted on the socket, base, or i ...
that commands a
light
Light or visible light is electromagnetic radiation that can be perceived by the human eye. Visible light is usually defined as having wavelengths in the range of 400–700 nanometres (nm), corresponding to frequencies of 750–420 tera ...
or
home appliance
A home appliance, also referred to as a domestic appliance, an electric appliance or a household appliance, is a machine which assists in household functions such as cooking, cleaning and food preservation.
Appliances are divided into three ty ...
to turn itself off or on, instead of interrupting the power line going to the
light fixture
A light fixture (US English), light fitting (UK English), or luminaire is an electrical device containing an electric lamp that provides illumination. All light fixtures have a fixture body and one or more lamps. The lamps may be in sockets fo ...
. There are different ways to communicate between the switch and the fixture:
# Using
radio transmission
Radio is the technology of signaling and communicating using radio waves. Radio waves are electromagnetic waves of frequency between 30 hertz (Hz) and 300 gigahertz (GHz). They are generated by an electronic device called a transmi ...
: A
radio receiver
In radio communications, a radio receiver, also known as a receiver, a wireless, or simply a radio, is an electronic device that receives radio waves and converts the information carried by them to a usable form. It is used with an antenna. Th ...
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
INSTEON or
X10): A receiver is plugged into an
outlet 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.
Common uses for wireless switches
Complicated wiring
Multiple wireless transmitters can command a single receiver. This means switches in different locations can turn the same electrical load on or off. Switching like this is often used in stairwells or rooms where two or more switches are used to turn one light on or off. Achieving this result with wired
three-way or four-way switches requires a higher level of electrical knowledge and more time for wiring and installation.
Remodeling
Wireless light switches eliminate the wire from the light to the switch location. This is useful in
remodeling 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 home
A log house, or log building, is a structure built with horizontal logs interlocked at the corners by notching. Logs may be round, squared or hewn to other shapes, either handcrafted or milled. The term "log cabin" generally refers to a sma ...
s, where electrical installations can be difficult because of the amount of
routing
Routing is the process of selecting a path for traffic in a network or between or across multiple networks. Broadly, routing is performed in many types of networks, including circuit-switched networks, such as the public switched telephone netw ...
and
drilling that would otherwise be needed. When running a regular (non-wireless) circuit, the
electrician
An electrician is a tradesperson specializing in electrical wiring of buildings, transmission lines, stationary machines, and related equipment. Electricians may be employed in the installation of new electrical components or the maintenance ...
must drill a hole through all of the logs to get each
wire
Overhead power cabling. The conductor consists of seven strands of steel (centre, high tensile strength), surrounded by four outer layers of aluminium (high conductivity). Sample diameter 40 mm
A wire is a flexible strand of metal.
Wire is c ...
to the switch location. The electrician also must cut 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. This decreases the electrical work required.
Brick, concrete, tile and plaster walls
Installing a wired switch in a solid
brick
A brick is a type of block used to build walls, pavements and other elements in masonry construction. Properly, the term ''brick'' denotes a block composed of dried clay, but is now also used informally to denote other chemically cured cons ...
or
concrete
Concrete is a composite material composed of fine and coarse aggregate bonded together with a fluid cement (cement paste) that hardens (cures) over time. Concrete is the second-most-used substance in the world after water, and is the most wi ...
wall or installing on a
plaster
Plaster is a building material used for the protective or decorative coating of walls and ceilings and for Molding (decorative), moulding and casting decorative elements. In English, "plaster" usually means a material used for the interiors of ...
or
tiled wall requires delicate routing and drilling to create a channel in the wall for the wire and space for the switch and switch box inside the wall. This routing and drilling work coul
damagethe surface, causing expensive repair work. Wireless switches do not need any channels, holes, boxes or wire in the wall. This reduces the amount of electrical work required when installing a switch.
Battery-free switches
All remote light switches require a power source in order to facilitate the transmission of a signal to the receiving device. Some of these switches rely on batteries for power output while most are required to be wired into an existing electrical system.
Lightning Switch,
EnOcean
The EnOcean technology is an energy harvesting wireless technology used primarily in building automation systems, but also in other application fields such as industry, transportation, logistics or smart homes solutions. The energy harvesting wire ...
CHERRYand others manufacture wireless light switches that use
energy harvesting
Energy harvesting (EH, also known as power harvesting or energy scavenging or ambient power) is the process by which energy is derived from external sources (e.g., solar power, thermal energy, wind energy, salinity gradients, and kinetic ener ...
instead of
batteries ISM ENIGMA
ISM or Ism may refer to:
Arts and entertainment
* ''Incredible Shrinking Man'', a film
* ''ISM'' (album), a 2012 album by Norwegian electronic music producer Savant
* ''Ism'' (film), a 2016 Indian Telugu-language action film starring Nandamuri K ...
. 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.
Smart switches
There are more and more light switches can be controlled by smartphone. Usually user can control the light using mobile app. But for some products, extra corresponding
hub is needed to connect those smart switches. In order to avoid the hub, wireless light switch and luminaire needs to share the same protocol, e.g.
Bluetooth mesh Lighting model or
Zigbee
Zigbee is an IEEE 802.15.4-based specification for a suite of high-level communication protocols used to create personal area networks with small, low-power digital radios, such as for home automation, medical device data collection, and o ...
LightLink.
Apple also provide
HomeKit
HomeKit, also known as Apple Home, is a software framework developed by Apple Inc., made available in iOS and iPadOS that lets users configure, communicate with and control smart-home appliances using Apple devices. It provides users with a way ...
which try to integrate all those user interfaces.
See also
*
Smart plug
A smart plug is a power plug also known as wall plugs, sockets, outlets, and electrical connectors, which can be fitted between power cords and sockets to function as a remote controlled power switch. As such, smart plugs can be used to make "d ...
References
{{Switches
Switches
Remote control