Elkay Electrical - Intermediate Time Switches?

08-03-2012

From time to time we receive calls from wholesalers and electricians asking us for an intermediate time switch. A perfectly normal request, you would think, to a company that makes switches, but in the world of time switches this is not the case, as time switches do not need intermediates at all.

Let's look at a wiring diagram of a standard switch with an intermediate switch as a starting point. Earth connections removed for clarity. There are three cores between the switches brown, black and grey (or red, blue and yellow in older systems).

The wiring above can be used for time switches as Elkay Energy Management Switches and controls from the Energy Sense, Style and Outdoor range can utilise all these in the Master and Slave setup as shown.

The common becomes the Live in, the L1 becomes the live out and L2 becomes the trigger line as shown. Therefore there is no need for a specific intermediate when it comes to timeswitches. You have the three cores you need that are found in most modern wiring systems today.

If however you don't have three cores then it is possible to select from an alternative range of Elkay products, the EnergyBasic range. These allow systems that have just two cores wired in parallel to enjoy the same benefits from energy saving time switches.

Don't forget that the switches will often require a Capacitor (PFCC-1) for low wattage loads too. For more details about the range of options available when selecting the appropriate timers for your installation call Elkay technical on 01675 468222.