The rapid development of technology affects all spheres of human life, including home improvement. Recently, a function called smart home is gaining popularity, it includes equipping a living room with touch sockets and light switches. They make staying indoors more comfortable.
Design features and principle of operation
The touch switch responds even to light touches of the button. The equipment includes three main parts:
- Sensor. In some models of devices, it is not at all necessary to come into contact with the touch wall switch; you just need to pass a hand near it.
- Control block. The system receives a signal from the outside and transmits it to the necessary working nodes.
- Switching device. It loads the electric network, closes and opens the circuit, changes the current strength if necessary on the fixtures.
The design is simple, each part must be replaced, which maximizes the life of the device.
Specifications of the touch light switch
The device belongs to the high-tech generation of electrical appliances. The principle of operation is based on the adjustment of current pulses using the built-in microcircuit.
It differs from a conventional switch by the presence of a sensor. The sensor is built into the structure itself, it responds to hand heat, touch, or an audible signal. The device is also equipped with amplifying parts that regulate lighting directly, they are called transistors.
Classification system
There are several types of touch-screen breakers. It’s easy to choose the right one if you compare the capabilities of the device and the needs of your home or office.
With remote control
The remote control is used in the following cases:
- The switch is located in an inconvenient place, there is no way to transfer it.
- A disabled person lives in the house, a person with limited mobility.
- The switch is located at a height where children cannot reach on their own.
- If you want to change the brightness of the lighting.
It is not necessary to use a special remote control for a proximity switch. As an alternative, they acquire a universal remote control unit designed to control several devices.
With timer
Touch sockets and switches equipped with a timer have many advantages:
- universality of use;
- interaction with any kind of lamp;
- lack of noise during operation;
- reliability and high build quality;
- For the manufacture of a touch light switch, special glass is used, the edges of which are carefully ground;
- ease of installation;
- attractive appearance.
Devices equipped with a sensor are characterized by high efficiency and a large list of additional functions.
Optical-acoustic switches
The installation of this kind of equipment allows you to adjust the intensity of lighting using movement or sound. For example, a special gesture or clap. The main condition: the action must occur in the area of the sensors.
Devices for installing LED backlight
Wireless switches connect to LED strips. This kind of equipment is called dimmers.With their help, it is possible to adjust the brightness of the lighting, as well as turn it on and off. If the LEDs are divided into sections, you can change the light intensity in each corner of the room.
The ability to adjust the brightness reduces the amount of electricity consumed.
Fluorescent and energy-saving lamps cannot be connected to dimmers.
Advantages of Touch Switches
When comparing touch switches with conventional devices, they have many advantages:
- Interact with all electrical appliances and light sources. The sensor even reacts to touch with wet, wet hands.
- Reduces energy costs.
- Safe for humans, easy to use and install.
- Long term of operation.
Modern devices have many additional auxiliary functions, for example, the ability to equip several switching systems.
How not to make a mistake with the choice
When choosing equipment, it is important to look at the permissible absolute minimum and maximum parameters of current and voltage. As a rule, they are indicated on the packaging or on the device itself. If the network characteristics do not meet the specified parameters, you must additionally purchase a voltage stabilizer.
It is worth paying attention to other parameters:
- number of connected devices;
- the need for a dimmer;
- principle of operation: using the remote control or reaction to touch, sounds, gestures;
- need for a timer.
After defining a set of properties and functions, you can evaluate the external characteristics of the device.
Manufacturing companies
Build quality and materials used depend on the manufacturer. Experts advise giving preference to the following companies:
- Basalte makes premium appliances. They are characterized by high quality and unusual attractive design.
- Livolo is a Russian manufacturer, which recently introduced its products on the market. Low cost combined with quality and attractive design made them popular.
- Legrand is a French manufacturer that manufactures a wide variety of electrical appliances. Their products belong to the expensive price segment, but the high cost corresponds to the quality.
Touch devices are a worthy alternative to mechanical switches. They are characterized by attractive appearance, reliability and profitability.
