Modern residential buildings are characterized by the presence of long flights of stairs and the same corridors inside the apartment, which are not very convenient in terms of lighting control. In order to solve this problem, manufacturers of installation products have developed modern samples of switches, called pass-through. They allow you to turn on and off the lighting in a common corridor or in an apartment from two places at once. Common models from Legrand (Cariva, Etika and the like) also fall under this category, which are valued by most domestic users for their reliability and attractive design.
Areas of application of the two-button switches
To solve the problem of long corridors, the company has developed not only walk-through, but also the so-called "cross" two-key models that are part of the light control system from three points. Before connecting Legrand switches of this type, you will need to understand their device and connection diagram. Both pass-through and cross models from the Cariva, Life, etc. series have several groups of switched contacts, through which it is possible to implement the desired function.
When a key is pressed, each of the two mechanisms included in the set of switches closes one of the connecting lines, simultaneously opening the other. The specified operating procedure allows for separate control of the lighting device using two different switches spaced at a considerable distance.
The most obvious example of their use is the installation of one of the switches in the entrance vestibule at the entrance, and the second one on each staircase.
When entering the building, the user turns on the lighting at all sites with one key, and when he approaches his apartment, turns it off.
Illuminated two-rocker switch
In the simplest case, the Legrand two-button switch is connected according to the classical scheme. In the lower part of its body there is an input working contact, to which the phase wire is connected. At the same time, two conductors “depart” from above it - each to its own illuminator or a group of bulbs.
Often, these wires are laid to the junction box, from where they are bred to the required loads. In some cases, pre-formed groups of illuminators are used as such loads.
Features of connecting the backlight
The backlight, available in some models from Legrand, is usually connected in parallel with an open contact, which causes it to glow after the lighting device is turned off. The only drawback of this inclusion is the not very pleasant blinking of energy-saving lamps, which occurs due to the ingress of a small part of the voltage onto them. With incandescent lamps and their halogen counterparts, this effect is not observed.
Legrand products use a semiconductor LED or neon lamp as a backlight. Outwardly, they practically do not differ, but they pass currents of different magnitudes through themselves. For LEDs, they are about 2 mA, and for neon bulbs, about 0.1 mA.
The procedure for dismantling the backlight bulb
To turn off the illumination built into the keyboard that interferes with users, you will need:
- Switch off the opening machine on the apartment panel.
- Remove the housing and decorative cover of the switch and provide access to the LED (neon).
- Take a screwdriver and loosen the screw fastening of the wires connecting the light bulb to the two contacts of the switch.
- Remove it together with the limiting resistor.
After all these operations, the LED lighting fixture controlled by the switch will stop flashing in the off position.
Mounting procedure for conventional Legrand models
Before installing the Legrand switch in the usual version, you should prepare the simplest tools: a screwdriver, side cutters and a sharp knife.
Installation procedure for two-key models:
- The introductory machine is turned off.
- The conductors supplied to the product are prepared for connection - the insulation at their ends is stripped.
- The keys and the decorative cover are dismantled from the device.
- Next, you can connect the stripped ends of the conductors to its terminals, and then return the decorative frame and keys to their place.
When installing double switches from Legrand, special attention is paid to the routing of the outgoing wires. Each of them is designed to connect a separate load located within the served room. When installing the product, it is necessary to take into account the marking on its body indicating the connection points of the supply and discharge single cores of the cable.
The nuances of connecting switches from Legrand
When considering the installation features of two-button switches from Legrand, special attention is paid to the following important details:
- according to the instructions for passage models such as Quteo, Etika and others, open or closed junction boxes are used for their installation;
- to connect the wires, they use special nut-type clamps or they are fastened by means of screws included in the set of each product;
- Before mounting the open circuit breaker, a plastic or wooden substrate is prepared for it, on which it is convenient to attach the case.
If it is necessary to remove the illumination from the switch, it is better to do this before installing it.
Before installing pass-through switches from the Ethics series and the like, it is necessary to thoroughly prepare for working operations. This will require:
- remove the decorative frame and keys from the body - they have special grooves;
- insert a screwdriver with a thin sting into the groove, and then press firmly in the right direction;
- remove the product frame in the same way.
Upon completion of all preparatory operations, the switch is completely ready for installation.
Direct installation
It is recommended to install the passage products in the following order:
- Before installing each of the switches, the power supply is removed from the line - the input circuit breaker is turned off.
- The case of the first switch is placed in the junction box and securely fixed in it.
- Already laid conductors are connected to its contacts on both sides, which are connected according to the attached instructions.
- The same operations are performed with the second switch.
Most models of switches from Legrand in the accompanying documentation must have an electrical diagram.
At the final stage of installation work, the decorative frame and the double key are returned to the already installed devices.
The Legrand two-key switch is no different from a conventional keyboard device. The well-known models of this device Life, Quteo or Valenon integrate with household electrical wiring in the same way as domestic products. Problems associated with the peculiarities of their installation are easily solved after reading the instructions for use.
