Wireless electrical switches are extremely handy pieces of hardware that can add safety, and convenience to your home. A wireless switch works by using a control box, and a receiver, to remotely control power to an object. These are useful for safely turning on lights outside of a room, so that the area is well lit upon your entrance. Or wireless electric switches can also be used as a means to easily change the position of a current light switch, so that you can move it to a more convenient location.
There are two main types of wireless electric switch, one uses radio transmission to operate the switch, and the other uses existing power lines. For radio transmission, these switches typically come with a receiver box and a control box. The receiver will be responsible for actually controlling the electrical current. Upon receiving a signal from the control box, the receiver will either provide, or cut power to any given source. These are extremely useful when used as wireless wall switches, as they allow you to change the location of a light switch, without costly rewiring the electrical work in your home. These can also be used in conjunction with a keychain transmitter, not unlike a garage door opener.
The other type works by using an existing power source, like an outlet. This remote electrical switch will plug into an outlet, and can then be controlled using a separate transmitter, from a different area. This is useful, as you could plug a light into the receiver, and then control the light with a remote switch that you place anywhere else at your convenience. This method is a quick and effective way to create a light source that can be turned on remotely, and is especially useful for it’s ease of install and operation.
You can also program more than one control box to send a signal to the same receiver. That would afford you the added convenience to install a light switch in a different location, but also a keychain transmitter that you could carry with you. Conversely, you can also set up a single control box, that can turn on multiple receivers. Although the wiring for both can get fairly complicated, the more receiver and transmitter adjustments you make for one box. Really, it all depends on your needs, and the convenience you want to install within your home.
To purchase wireless electrical switches, you can visit almost any major department store, and they will have several options in the hardware department. Walmart and even Target will have at least a few options, or you can also check a hardware store like Home Depot, which is likely to have even more of a selection. Typically, wireless electrical switches will cost anywhere from $15 to upwards of $30. Mostly it all depends upon the style of the switch, and how the switch functions. Some electric switches work off independent power sources like batteries, and those models tend to be cheaper. But others have to be wired into a power source, and those can be slightly more expensive.