RF switch question

There is a wall fixture with a pull chain in my powder room. Adding a switch leg to it would be a real bear because of the wall construction, so I have been putting the project off. (I put a three way switch elsewhere in the wall and it took me a full day; don't ask.)

Today I saw a pair of RF switches at the hardware store for half price ($12.50); they are intended to change a single switch to a pair of 3way switchs without any wiring.

I have access to the wire before it goes into the wall for the light and there is a lot of slack. I could cut it, put in a box with the wired switch, and then just put the second switch where I want it. I would just ignore the wired switch and use the RF switch for the light.

Aside from the cost of those AAA batteries, am I overlooking any obvious problems with this scheme?

Reply to
toller
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room. Adding a

construction, so I

switch elsewhere in

for half price

pair of 3way

the light and

with the wired

it. I would just

light.

overlooking any obvious

Not's far as I can see. I'd love to find something like that for my work shop! I'd have lots of lights all over the place! Only downsides I can think of are to check your phone/radio/TV receptions befoere you premanently mount the transmitters in place. You didn't mention the carrier freq or kind of modulation, so it could put noises or clicks on those things. Long's it's only when they turn on or off it shouldn't be a problem but watch out for constant emissions being picked up where it might be a problem. Don't assume because it's not physically near the transmitter it won't pick it up - it could. House wiring can be but usualloy isn't a great antenna. Check for UL/FCC ratings. FCC Part 15B is the best, A is non-prefered, don't buy if no ratings.

Pop

Reply to
Pop Rivet

Check out how it responds to power outages by flipping the breaker a few times. The one I had turned the light on whenever there was a power glitch. Not good when your trying to sleep. OF course you can't test this in the store so make sure there is a good return policy.

Reply to
JMagerl

snipped-for-privacy@yahoo.com email bounces. Pay your bill.

I did the same thing to add a 3X switch to the master bedroom. There was already one switch to control the overhead lamp and needed another across the room.

Advantages:

  1. Save hours of traipsing thru the attic and pulling wires thru walls.
  2. Lessen your chances of getting zapped, losing your balance and falling thru the ceiling.
  3. Not having to worry if all that fiberglass insulation is going to make you itch for hours.

Disadvantages/Gotchas

  1. You're usually given two select codes. Hope your neighbor isn't using the same one or you're going to have some mysterious happenings.
  2. You can't use the switch on the same branch circuit with inductive ap- pliances such as fans, etc. The voltage spike when the load turns off will trigger the internal triac and turn on the lamp.
  3. Sometimes the lamp may turn on for no reason. Shorten the antennas and swap the two AC wires in the receiver controlling the lamp.

I've had mine installed for about five years. The battery will last its shelf life as the only time it's used is when a button is pushed. Since you already have access to the single wire completing your lamp's circuit, don't forget to put it into a properly grounded fireproof metal box. Some RF switches have an additional slide switch on the bottom. Make sure it's in the 'on' position and the select codes (if given) match...and don't forget to switch off that branch circuit at the main breaker panel when installing even if you're in a rubber wet suit.

Installation time usually less than an hour.

D.

Reply to
munged

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