A cross switch is a very common solution in electrical installations. It is very practical because it allows you to control lighting from several points - from three or more. It is no coincidence that it is used in combination with stair switches. These allow you to control lighting from two places, for example on the stairs and the corridor. This provides great comfort of use in every home, but also in public buildings. In the following discussion, we will discuss everything that is most important on this topic - what exactly a cross switch is, what the diagram of its connection looks like in a system with stair switches and we will present step by step how to connect such a system.
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What is a cross connector?
From the introduction we already know a little about what a cross switch is, but now it's time to expand on the subject to make it even clearer. The switch in question is one of the most important elements of the electrical installation, thanks to which it is possible to control one light source from several places. It works in conjunction with two stair switches. They control lighting from two points, for example at the beginning and end of the corridor.
The cross switch is therefore an additional control point between these two stair switches. This increases the comfort of use, providing convenient switching on and off of the light from different locations. Such lighting management is valued everywhere - not only in houses and apartments, but also in public buildings.
Looking at this issue from a technical point of view, cross switches switch the current between wires, enabling the change of lighting status. This type of light management works particularly well in large rooms and passageways. The same can be said about multi-storey houses. However, remember that using cross switches requires integration with stair switches. This combination guarantees that the entire system will work flawlessly.
Connection diagram for cross and stair switches
To connect a cross switch to a stair switch, we need to create a well-thought-out system to enable control from three or more points. In the most basic scheme, we have two stair switches. One is at the beginning, the other at the end. The cross switch is in the middle, between them, which introduces an additional control point.
The phase wire (L) enters the first stair switch, and its outputs should be connected to the inputs of the cross switch. As for the outputs of the cross switch, they should be connected to the input of the second stair switch. And it is from this switch that the wire leading to the light source comes out. Other wires - neutral (N) and protective (PE) are directly connected to the lamp. Remember to arrange the wires correctly between the switches. This will ensure that the installation will work correctly. At the same time, if we plan to install more connections (other cross switches), we should add them one by one between those that already exist.
How to connect cross switches with stair switches?
To properly perform the installation, we must do it carefully, remembering the most important rules. We will explain it now step by step.
- The beginning of the work is to install two stair switches. The first one is where we start controlling the lighting, and the second one is at the end of the circuit.
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The next step is to use a cross connector. It provides an additional point of light control. - The cross switch is already there - now it needs to be connected. To do this, let's run wires from the outputs of the first stair switch to the inputs of the cross switch.
- There are four terminals in it - two inputs and two outputs. The first of them - the inputs of the cross switch, are connected to the outputs of the first stair switch, and the outputs of the cross switch lead to the inputs of the second stair switch.
- Now it's time for the phase wire (L), which should go into the first stair switch, the wire leading to the lamp comes out of the second one.
- If you need to add additional cross connectors, connect them in the same way to create additional control points.
We hope that thanks to this assembly instruction, everyone will be able to handle connecting a cross switch with stair switches. Everything you need for this task can be found in the Onninen wholesaler. There is a comprehensive offer (including electrical equipment , modular equipment ) from the area of electronics, but also hydraulics.