Roller shutter suppliers usually include a momentary (non-latching) rocker switch with shutters that have an electric motor. This switch is very expensive (around USD 12 and up), and it does not always look right next to the other switches and sockets in a home, since its styling is mostly plain. The question arises: is there a way to replace the standard model with something that better matches the style and interior of the home? We'll try to explain the operating principle and suggest ways to wire up shutters using a two-way (or through) switch.

First, how does a standard roller shutter switch work?

When you press and hold the left key (Fig. 1), the shutter rises for as long as you hold the key down. Pressing the right key lowers it. This way of operating the shutter is always convenient, especially if the shutter is only ever meant to be in one of two positions — either open or closed. For this simplified operation, a single two-way (through) switch is enough for us.

Figure 1.

The wiring diagram here is fairly simple. The live wire is fed to the switch input; output 1 connects, for example, to the motor's "raise" line, and output 2 to "lower." The drawback of this wiring is that the shutter cannot be stopped in an intermediate (half-open) position, and that the live voltage is always present on the motor. This drawback can be eliminated using a double switch together with a standard one. The diagram for such a connection is shown in Figure 3.

 

Figure 2	Figure 3

 

 It's a different matter if you use a double two-way switch. The wiring diagram is in Fig. 4.

Figure 4.

A review of the results of wiring the roller shutter switch

This wiring lets you control the motor in both raise and lower modes just as you would with a standard switch. One key of the switch works for "raise," the other for "lower." The only difference is that for it to run in, say, "raise" mode, the "lower" switch must be in the "off" position, and vice versa. Important! Once you have assembled the circuit, don't rush to connect the motor. Check everything with no load first. You need to make sure that outputs 1 and 2 never carry the live wire at the same time under any switch position, because if they do, the motor will burn out. Overconfidence very often leads to sorry results. There's no need to hurry. Good luck.

In this video review, we tried to explain in detail how you can turn an ordinary double two-way switch with latching into a non-latching switch.

Examples (photos) of two-way (through) switches: