The modern two-gang switch through passage is able to increase the level of comfort when controlling lighting equipment in almost all rooms, including residential, technical, industrial purpose, etc. In addition, it is safe and, when used correctly, will help reduce energy consumption. Not a bad prospect, agree?
Have you thought about installing a 2-key switch on your own, but don’t know where to start? We will help you understand this issue - in our article we will analyze in detail its features, the nuances of choice, as well as the connection diagrams and the procedure for performing electrical installation work with your own hands. To make it easier for beginners to master the material presented, we have provided the publication with visual photos and step-by-step video tutorials.
Device and tasks of the passage switch
Two-gang walk-through switches are outwardly similar to conventional ones used to control groups of lamps of lamps, chandeliers, sconces and other lighting devices. But both one and the other are used to solve everyday problems of consumers.
Through and traditional two-gang switches are used to control:
- two independent lamps / chandeliers;
- two groups of lamps on one lighting device.
But ordinary two-key switches make it possible to turn on / off lighting devices from one place, and walk-throughs from different places. Which is their main task and advantage.
This feature and the presence of two keys will make it possible not only to turn on the lights at one point of a room and turn it off to another, but also to use only part of the device’s bulbs.
If necessary, you can bring the lighting devices into operation in adjacent rooms, parts of the building. For example, to illuminate not only the stairs, but also the basement into which it leads. That eliminates the need to move to the touch in dark rooms and will save electricity.
Technological two-gang walk-through switches are successfully used in any room. This statement is true for small apartments, especially in the presence of zoning and the desire to optimally use the capabilities of existing lighting systems
In residential premises, such switches are used most often, since they are usually equipped with several independent lighting systems.
Using two-gang switches can be beneficial even in a small room. For example, in a Khrushchev-style house with walk-through rooms or simply equipped with two lighting lines.
What are the differences from single-key switches?
Wiring products for one key, moreover, both through and through, allow you to control only one lamp or a single group of lamps. But the two-key analogue - two.
The installation of any switch-through switches differs from the replacement of conventional. And the main difference is that the owners of the premises will have to make more important decisions. For example, determine the place and method of installation of equipment. And this must be taken seriously to avoid mistakes.
As a result, both types of products can be used most effectively in various operating conditions.
Product design features
The two-gang switch through passage structurally consists of 2 one-gang analogs. And therefore it has 2 times more contacts for connecting wires.
So, if the walk-through switches equipped with a single key have only 3 of them (and the usual ones have 2), then the two-key switches have 6:
- input - 2;
- weekend - 4.
To avoid installation errors, manufacturers often indicate the wiring diagram or label the inputs / outputs on the instrument case.
You can often hear that such a large number of contacts is necessary to ensure the operation of the switch on the principle of "throwing". But such a formulation is not entirely true. Since switching off occurs when the contacts that make up the two-key switches and control a single line are simply moved to different positions.
If the indicated structural elements are returned to one position by switching the keys, then the light bulbs will turn on.
I.e, the keys do not have the usual “on” / “off” fixed positions familiar to usersas with traditional switches. Although both types of equipment controls move the same way.
The photo shows a two-gang switch through passage. Its main feature is a large number of inputs / outputs. In this case, they are marked with arrows by the manufacturer to reduce the likelihood of a connection error.
A larger number of contacts requires the use of a larger number of wires to ensure the operation of double-key switches. When compared with single-key counterparts, they will need exactly 2 times more.
Preparatory work before connecting
In almost all cases, when installing two-gang electrical products, additional wiring and installation of additional equipment will be required. And all this is likely to be acquired.
So, at the preparation stage you will need:
- Two three-wire wires necessary length for each switch. It is important that its cross section is not less than 2.5 mm². It is also important that copper is used as the manufacturing material. We recommend that you read the rules for choosing wires for home wiring.
- Junction box. It is needed because the cable from the passage switch, for safety reasons, cannot be laid directly to the lighting fixtures. It should be remembered that there will be many connections, so the volume of one standard box is unlikely to be enough. Therefore, even before starting work, you should think about buying paired products.
- Installation box, which is also called a podrozetnik. Such devices serve to accommodate the passage switches themselves.
Wire laying is carried out in an open or closed way. But in any case, before starting installation, the purchased power cable should be checked for operability.
The photo shows a model of a lighting control system that allows you to get an idea of what should come out during the installation of two-key switches
When checking the cable, you first need to perform an external inspection, and then ringing using special equipment, for example, a multimeter.
If you ignore this rule, you can incur significant losses. This is especially true for cases when the wire will be mounted on the wall.
If it is possible to ground the passage switch, then it should be used. This applies to cases where the PE bus is provided. Usually it is available in new buildings.
When performing the connection work, safety precautions should be observed. So before starting the procedure, you should turn off the room.
Connection scheme and order
Regardless of the brand and other features of the two-gang electrical products, during installation, you will have to observe a number of important rules.
The picture shows the connection diagram of two-gang walk-through switches. In this case, the Latin letter N is the international designation of the neutral wire (marked in blue).And the letter L marks the phase wire. It is on the diagrams, and often in reality, is indicated in orange
So, initially it is necessary to prepare a place for the installation of socket boxes and a junction box. But this is not difficult, since all that is needed is to install a core drill of the required diameter into the hammer drill. We recommend that you familiarize yourself with the detailed instructions on installing the socket boxes.
It should be remembered that 2 wires consisting of 3 conductors (in the form of ends 10-15 cm long) must come into the junction box from each two-gang switch of a passage type;
- To connect the keys of the first switch with the network phase - for which, in each case, the terminals are used, which in the electrician are indicated by the symbols L1, L2.
- The key connections of the second switch with the phase wire of the desired lamp or their group - in this case, the terminals that are indicated by the abbreviation L1, L2 are also used.
- Connections of both used switches to each other - pairwise connection of the remaining cores is made. This procedure is performed in a junction box. During this operation, it is necessary to interconnect the terminals of each key of one pass-through switch with similar terminals of the second.
Do not forget that the zero supply wire must be connected to the zero wire of the appliance. If you plan to manage a group of fixtures, then zero networks are connected to all their zero conductors. We reviewed the best connectors for connecting wires in an article on self-clamping terminal blocks.
Correct connection is the key to the safe operation of switches and fixtures, and it largely depends on the connectors. Therefore, it will be practical to use convenient and reliable WAGO terminal blocks. They are self-locking and safe, therefore, the influence of the human factor will be minimal.
When performing electrical work, it is important not to get confused with the cables. Such a warning is relevant due to the presence of a large number of cores. They should be marked, especially in cases where the wires are solid.
In addition, all operations should be carried out sequentially, that is, without switching to another job until the work begun.
Detailed instructions for connecting a pass-through switch with 2 keys are given in our other article.
How to make the right choice
When buying two-gang walk-through switches, you should give preference to products from well-known manufacturers.
For example, in the post-Soviet space, as, in fact, in Europe, the products of the popular German brand Legrand are popular.
Pay attention to the switches belonging to the Celiane, Velena series. The exclusive products of this manufacturer belong to the Exclusive Celiane line.
We also recommend that you familiarize yourself with
In addition, the following companies are ranked as leaders in the field:
- Wessen and its popular W 59 Frame switch series;
- Lezard
- Makel.
There are various types of passage switches on the market. But more popular among consumers are sensory.
Two-gang switches can become part of the smart home system. Since many manufacturers equip their products with motion sensors. As a result, the electronics will take care of turning off the lighting.
The first video material will help to avoid mistakes, excessive money expenses when choosing, purchasing passage switches:
The following video shows in practice how the switches are connected to the lighting system:
Two-gang walk-through switches can make living more comfortable and safe. And also, with proper placement, the equipment will help save energy. At the same time, there is no doubt in its quality - such switches are designed for long-term use.
Tell us about your personal experience in choosing two-gang walk-through switches, places for their installation and operation features. Comments can be left in a special block located below. There you can ask questions to our experts and other visitors to the site, take part in the discussion, point out inaccuracies or errors identified during the review of the article.