Very often you have to turn on and off lighting from several points. For example, in long corridors, stairs, basements. It is possible to provide independent switching on and off of lighting devices from 2 remote points using 2 pass-through switches, and in combination with a cross switch, lighting can be controlled from 3 or more points. The main thing is the correct connection diagram.
Pass-through switches
Before you understand what the cross switch is used for, you need to understand how it works.
The neutral wire is connected directly to the lighting fixture, the phase wire is connected through two switches, interconnected by a two-wire wire.
If contacts 1 and 3 are closed on switches PV1 and PV2, then the circuit is closed and current flows through the light bulb. To open the circuit, you need to press the button of any switch, for example, PV1, while contacts 1 and 2 will be closed in it. By pressing the button of the PV2 switch, the circuit will close. Thus, the lamp can be switched on and off independently from two remote locations.
What is the cross switch used for?
If it is necessary to provide lighting control from three points, 2-pass switches will not be enough. A cross switch should be inserted into the break of the two-core wire connecting the pass-through switches, as shown in the diagram.
The contacts of all switches in the diagram are closed so that current flows through the wires shown in red. If you press a key on any of the 3 switches, the circuit will open. It is enough to press a key on any other switch, and the circuit is closed. Current will flow through the wires shown in blue.
If you want to control lighting from 4 points, you need to use the following scheme:
Lighting can be controlled using cotton switches or with motion sensors. But they have disadvantages:
- high price;
- switches of these types fail quickly;
- cotton switches can work on extraneous sounds and not work on cotton;
- switches with motion sensors can react to the movement of animals, birds.
An instruction may be useful to you, which describes the technology for connecting a one-button switch:.
Varieties of switches
By their design, cross switches are divided into 2 types: key switches and rotary switches.
Keyboards
This type of switch is the most commonly used.
Rocker switches, more correctly called switches, break one circuit and close another. Conventional switches only open or close one circuit. Outwardly, they practically do not differ. They can only be distinguished from the back by the number of contacts:
- an ordinary one-key has 2 contacts;
- at the checkpoint -3;
- cross - 4.
Differences between conventional, pass-through and cross-over single-button switches (photo gallery)
The single-key pass-through switch has 3 contacts 
A conventional 1-gang switch has 2 contacts A single-gang cross switch has 4 contacts
Rocker switches can have 1, 2 or 3 keys. Multi-rocker switches are designed to independently control multiple circuits.
Swivel cross
Switches of this type are installed less frequently than keyboards. Usually they are used in warehouses and industrial premises, for street lighting, as interior decoration in apartments. Contact groups in them are closed and opened by turning the lever.
Rotary switches appearance (photo gallery)
Used in warehouses 
Used as interior decoration 
Used in residential areas Controls 2 circuits 
Used in rooms with high humidity and for street lighting
Overhead and embedded
According to the method of installation, the switches are divided into 2 types: surface-mounted and built-in.
Built-in switches are installed during the construction or renovation phase in boxes installed in niches. The wires are placed in the strips or attached to the walls. Typically, this method is used before plastering walls or cladding them with drywall or other materials.
Surface switches and associated wires are attached to the wall. In this case, there is no need to puncture the walls and knock out recesses for the boxes. In this way, they are usually mounted during cosmetic repairs. Surface switches create certain inconveniences: dust accumulates on them, people cling to them while driving. In some cases, owners, on the contrary, prefer this type of switch for interior design.
Cross-switch characteristics
On the market of electrical products, there is a wide selection of switches and switches of domestic and foreign manufacturers. The difference in price from different manufacturers is significant, and the dimensions and technical characteristics are similar.
Main characteristics
Models with housings that protect against moisture and steam are more expensive.
Pay attention to the article with instructions for connecting a three-button switch:.
Installation of pass-through and cross-over switches
The best option for developing an electrical circuit and its installation is at the stage of building a house or during its overhaul. It is necessary to take into account all rooms in which it may be necessary to independently turn on and off lighting from 3 remote points. These are long corridors, basements with several entrances and exits, staircases. Yard buildings and street lighting should also be taken into account.
For those who are going to install lighting on their own, but do not have the skills, experts advise first to assemble a temporary lighting scheme by connecting 2 pass-through switches with short wires and connect a light bulb. It should be remembered to which pins the wires were connected. After making sure that the circuit is assembled correctly, the switches must be disconnected.
Sequencing
Lighting installation is carried out in the following order:
How do you know if the lights are off if the power is suddenly cut off?
During installation, it is advisable to set all switches so that in the off state their keys are in the same positions, for example, "up".
For internal work, any two-core insulated wire is suitable, the cross-section of which corresponds to the expected load. For street lighting, double-insulated wire is used.
Practice has shown that lighting control in long corridors, on staircases, in basements is cheaper and more practical to do with the use of walk-through and cross switches.
Do you want the lights to turn on on a clap? Then read our article, which describes the technology for connecting such a system:.
Video: how to connect a pass-through switch
In more detail, all the stages of assembling a temporary circuit with 2 pass-through switches can be seen in this video.
Video: how to connect a cross switch
Note: In the video, the cross switch is referred to as "intermediate".
A well-thought-out and well-executed lighting control scheme using pass-through and cross switches will make the living conditions in the house more comfortable and save you from many problems. It is not worth saving on quality, but the described lighting control scheme from several independent points will cost much less than using cotton switches or switches with motion sensors. Moreover, it is more reliable and durable.