IMPORTANT - Read this first!
Note: To simplify these diagrams, we have not shown the earth cables - but all circuits MUST have the earth cable correctly installed.
We've shown wires in red to indicate that they are new wires, but it doesn't really matter what colour you use.
To protect the module a suitable rated overcurrent protection fuse must be installed on the Live input.
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One of the things that confuses people the most is installing home automation into an existing 3-Way lighting system, especially when it uses Intermediate Switches. This application note looks at how a Aeotec Nano Dimmer module can be installed to control a Alternate 3-Way lighting system with an Intermediate Switch.
Firstly, what do we mean by 3-Way lighting?
This simply refers to a lighting system where one light is controlled by three light switches. Examples of this are where a room has three entrances (each needs a light switch) or for a hall light that can be controlled from 3 different switches.
This wiring is based on a UK style 2-wire lighting system with no neutral wire at the switch. More information about 2-wire lighting systems is available in APNT-23: Understanding 2-wire and 3-wire Lighting Systems.
For information on how to physically install a Z-Wave module take a look at our guide here.
To know more about how Z-Wave modules work with different switch types make sure to read our guide here.
Alternate 3-Way Lighting Circuit with Intermediate Switch
Figure 1: Alternate 3-Way Lighting Circuit with Intermediate Switch
This is a relatively new style of creating a 3-way lighting circuit, still uncommon in most UK buildings. It uses two 2-way switches (as you find in a 2-way circuit), but it also includes an Intermediate Switch that is in the "middle" of the circuit. No Switch Locations has access to both Live and Switched Live.
This type of lighting system uses "Toggle" (latching) switches. These latch in position - for instance when you press the switch to On, the switch physically stays in the On position. These are the standard light switches you'll find already fitted in your home.
The module can also be used with a variety of "Momentary" switch types and configurations. Momentary switches, also known as Retractive or Bell-Push, only remain in the On state while you press them, they return to the Off state when the button is released.
This doesn't mean that you have to keep holding the button to keep the light on. The module's internal controls automatically keep the light on when the button is released.
More information about how the Aeotec Nano Dimmer works with different switch types is available here.
We can install the module into this 3-Way circuit in various different ways shown below. We've separated out the diagrams based on whether you need to install the module at Switch A or Switch B position.
Aeotec Nano Dimmer Connections
The Aeotec Nano Dimmer has six terminals to connect it to the electrical wiring:
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Aeotec Nano Dimmer Parameter Setting:The following parameters may need to be set:
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Installation at Switch A position
You will install the Aeotec Nano Dimmer module at the Switch A position where it has access to Permanent Live but not Switched Live (load).
Toggle Switches - add additional 2-core cable for COM and Switched Live
To retain your existing standard Toggle switches, we can simple install the Aeotec Nano Dimmer module as shown in Figure 2.
Figure 2: Alternate 3-Way Lighting Circuit with Intermediate Switch using the Aeotec Nano Dimmer with Toggle switches (Switch A).
In this case we keep the standard Toggle and Intermediate switches connecting "L1" to the module's S1 input and "L2" to the module's COM output. Live is wired to L terminal and an additional 2-core cable is added to take Switched Live (Load) to the module's Output and to connect Switch A and Switch C.
This gives simple On / Off control of the light from the switches but you will still be able to control the dimming level over Z-Wave if required.
Aeotec Nano Dimmer Parameter Setting:
The following parameters need to be set:
- 120 - 3 - enables the modules' S1 to work with a toggle switch
Momentary Switches - add additional wire for Switched Live
For full On / Off and dimming control we can replace the Toggle wall switches with similar styled Momentary switches.
Figure 3: Alternate 3-Way Lighting Circuit with Intermediate Switch using the Aeotec Nano Dimmer with Momentary switches (Switch A).
Aeotec Nano Dimmer Parameter Setting:
The following parameters need to be set:
- 120 -1 - enables the modules' S1 to work with a momentary switch
Toggle Switches - rewire Switched Live
To retain your existing standard Toggle switches, we can simple install the Aeotec Nano Dimmer module as shown in Figure 4.
Figure 4: Alternate 3-Way Lighting Circuit with Intermediate Switch using the Aeotec Nano Dimmer with Toggle switches (Switch A).
In this case we keep the standard Toggle and Intermediate switches connecting "L1" to the module's S1 input and "L2" to the module's COM output. Live is wired to L terminal and Switched Live (Load) is rewired to Switch A position while a new wire is added to connect Switch A and Switch C COM terminals.
This gives simple On / Off control of the light from the switches but you will still be able to control the dimming level over Z-Wave if required.
Aeotec Nano Dimmer Parameter Setting:
The following parameters need to be set:
- 120 - 3 - enables the modules' S1 to work with a toggle switch
Momentary Switches - rewire Switched Live
For full On / Off and dimming control we can replace the Toggle wall switches with similar styled Momentary switches.
Figure 5: Alternate 3-Way Lighting Circuit with Intermediate Switch using the Aeotec Nano Dimmer with Momentary switches (Switch A).
Replace the existing Toggle and Intermediate switches with Momentary switches, connecting "L1" to the module's S1 input and "COM" to the module's COM output. Live is wired to L terminal and Switched Live (Load) is rewired to Switch A position.
Aeotec Nano Dimmer Parameter Setting:
The following parameters need to be set:
- 120 -1 - enables the modules' S1 to work with a momentary switch
3-Way with Z-Wave Wall Switch
Sometimes you may require a 2-Way or multi-way lighting circuit where physical wiring doesn't already exist, or perhaps you need to re-purpose the existing wiring for something else.
Z-Wave makes this possible using something known as "Associations" - where one Z-Wave device can control another Z-Wave device directly without inter-connecting wiring. More information on Associations can be seen in our guides here and here.
Figure 6: Using Z-Wave Switches in a Alternate 3-Way Lighting Circuit with Intermediate Switch using the Aeotec Nano Dimmer (Switch A).
To create this circuit you simply install the module to suit either Toggle or Momentary switches and safely terminate the cables as required. A battery powered Z-Wave Wall Controller can then be Associated to the module.
Any unused wires from the original 2-core between the two switches should be safely terminated. Don't forget to configure the module for Toggle or Momentary switches!
Installation at Switch C position
In some circumstances it may not be possible to install the Aeotec Nano Dimmer module at the Switch A position - perhaps there's not enough room physically to install it there, or perhaps that position is out of range of the Z-Wave netwok. In this case sometimes it's possible to install at the Switch C position but there are a number of caveats because in this position it won't have access to Permanent Live.
Toggle Switches - add additional 2-core cable for COM and Permanent Live
To retain your existing standard Toggle switches, we can simple install the Aeotec Nano Dimmer module as shown in Figure 7.
Figure 7: Alternate 3-Way Lighting Circuit with Intermediate Switch using the Aeotec Nano Dimmer with Toggle switches (Switch C).
In this case we keep the standard Toggle and Intermediate switches connecting "L1" to the module's S1 input and "L2" to the module's COM output. An additional 2-core cable is added to take Permanent Live to Switch A position and to connect Switch A and Switch C.
This gives simple On / Off control of the light from the switches but you will still be able to control the dimming level over Z-Wave if required.
Aeotec Nano Dimmer Parameter Setting:
The following parameters need to be set:
- 120 - 3 - enables the modules' S1 to work with a toggle switch
Momentary Switches - add additional wire for Permanent Live
For full On / Off and dimming control we can replace the Toggle wall switches with similar styled Momentary switches.
Figure 8: Alternate 3-Way Lighting Circuit with Intermediate Switch using the Aeotec Nano Dimmer with Momentary switches (Switch C).
Replace the existing Toggle and Intermediate switches with Momentary switches, connecting "L1" to the module's S1 input and "COM" to the module's COM output. An additional wire is added to take Live to Switch C position.
Aeotec Nano Dimmer Parameter Setting:
The following parameters need to be set:
- 120 -1 - enables the modules' S1 to work with a momentary switch
Toggle Switches - rewire Permanent Live
To retain your existing standard Toggle switches, we can simple install the Aeotec Nano Dimmer module as shown in Figure 9.
Figure 9: Alternate 3-Way Lighting Circuit with Intermediate Switch using the Aeotec Nano Dimmer with Toggle switches (Switch C).
In this case we keep the standard Toggle and Intermediate switches connecting "L1" to the module's S1 input and "L2" to the module's COM output. Live is rewired to Switch C position and a new wire is added to connect Switch A and Switch C COM terminals.
This gives simple On / Off control of the light from the switches but you will still be able to control the dimming level over Z-Wave if required.
Aeotec Nano Dimmer Parameter Setting:
The following parameters need to be set:
- 120 - 3 - enables the modules' S1 to work with a toggle switch
Momentary Switches - rewire Live
For full On / Off and dimming control we can replace the Toggle wall switches with similar styled Momentary switches.
Figure 10: Alternate 3-Way Lighting Circuit with Intermediate Switch using the Aeotec Nano Dimmer with Momentary switches (Switch C).
Replace the existing Toggle and Intermediate switches with Momentary switches, connecting "L1" to the module's S1 input and "COM" to the module's COM output. Live is rewired to Switch C position.
Aeotec Nano Dimmer Parameter Setting:
The following parameters need to be set:
- 120 -1 - enables the modules' S1 to work with a momentary switch
3-Way with Z-Wave Wall Switch
Figure 11: Using Z-Wave Switches in a Alternate 3-Way Lighting Circuit with Intermediate Switch using the Aeotec Nano Dimmer (Switch C).
Here we replace Switch A and Switch C with a Z-Wave Wall Switch. Connect Switch C “L1” to the module's S1 input with the "COM" wire connected to the module's COM output. We use the original "L1" wire to bring over Live from Switch A position to Switch C position.
Any unused wires from the original 2-core between the two switches should be safely terminated.
A battery powered Z-Wave Wall Controller can then be Associated to the module. More information on Associations can be seen in our guides here and here.
Install at Switch C and use S2 from Aeotec Nano Dimmer at Switch A and Switch B
Figure 12: Using Z-Wave Switches in a Alternate 3-Way Lighting Circuit with Intermediate Switch using the Aeotec Nano Dimmer (Switch C).
Here we connect Switch A “L1” to Module A S2 input and Switch B “L1” to Module B S2 input . Connect Switch C “L1” to the Module C S1 input with the "COM" wire connected to the Module C COM output. We use the original "L1" wire to bring over Live from the first switch position. Any unused wires from the original 2-core between the two switches should be safely terminated.
More information on how to use a Secondary Switch with a Aeotec Nano Dimmer module can be found here.
Note: power to module at Switch A and B not shown as this would typically be taken care of for switching the other gang in a 2-gang switch.
