Retractive switches
- Thread starter adammid
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it doesn't, a retractive switch is just one that returns to its original state after being pressed - think doorbell or stairwell push buttons for lights. This can be used to start a timer or other gadget to operate / detect abscence
sammers230
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If you mean that the PIR you are referring to allows you to incorporate a retractive switch, that would seem like a manual override to the presence detector part and just switch the load on for how ever long the timer is set for. I've seen one like it before but have never used one.
That's exactly it sammers, do you know how it would be wired? Basically want a PIR to control some lights and then a retractable switch to over ride the PIR, but was wondering if when the switch retracts would it switch the lights off??
Just use a normal switch,,, retractive switches are like door bell pushes,,, i.e. on - when and only when you push it!
Adammid I think you want a Time delay switch, a retractive switch goes off once you remove your finger.
Noz if you use a normal switch the lights will be on all the time. I want the lights to go out when there is no one there but as soon as someone works in the door they can press the Retractive switch to override but only till no presence is detected for x amount of time and then the lights go out.
This is what is in the specification: -
'Switches controlling any absence detection function shall be Retractive and the contractor shall install sufficient detection devices to suit the control requirements.'
Any suggestions?
This is what is in the specification: -
'Switches controlling any absence detection function shall be Retractive and the contractor shall install sufficient detection devices to suit the control requirements.'
Any suggestions?
Some makes of pir have an override feature where you can cut the power and restore twice within a few seconds the pir is permanently on until reset again. I think maybe timeguard. You could just use the switch in this way.
I don't think that you'll do it with standard retractive switches and standard PIRs,,,, unless you used time delay switches (pneumatic or electronic) to bypass the PIRs and switch the lights directly for a short time giving you enough time to trigger a PIR
Hxsarge, the idea of the switching is so that the lights are only on when someone is in the room. My interpretation of the quote from the spec in my last post is that the Retractive switch is used to switch the lights 'off' by breaking the feed to the PIR.
Noz, true, and that is what I initially thought, but reading the spec again I'm thinking maybe they want the Retractive switch to turn the lights 'off' when leaving the room so the lights go off straight away rather than waiting for the timeout of the PIR.
Noz, true, and that is what I initially thought, but reading the spec again I'm thinking maybe they want the Retractive switch to turn the lights 'off' when leaving the room so the lights go off straight away rather than waiting for the timeout of the PIR.
all seems a bit pointless, standard prescece detector will activate on entry and time-out after no movement is seen for a set time. Is this for indoor or outdoor lighting - I'm thinking the biggest pain in butt for outdoors is acts and other furry creatures constantly setting lights off.
For internal stuff I'm afraid you will have to have a look on internet as I'm not aware of standard PIR that will work for you.
For internal stuff I'm afraid you will have to have a look on internet as I'm not aware of standard PIR that will work for you.
Binky it's for internal. Can't work out if they want the Retractive switch to override 'on' or 'off'. If its override 'on' surely there will be a visible blip as the Retractive switch breaks the circuit and the PIR takes over and why not just install a PIR in the ceiling where the switch would be? That's what leads me to think that they want it to override the lights 'off' so that if the PIR was timed to switch off after 5 mins of no detection someone can press the Retractive switch to switch all the lights 'off' as soon as they leave the room avoiding the lights being left on for an extra 5 mins or however long the PIR was set to. Arrrggghhhh head bang!
Why not tell us the full situation Adam ? I did some office toilet refurbs where they constantly left lights on 24 hrs. A simple ceiling PIR did the trick , once they left the loo the lights went off after about 3 mins .
I included a keyswitch in case the PIRs packed up so lights could go to manual ,no windows see!
Also fairly large office with a PIR controlling a contactor , about 15 people in there , but lights stop on till the last one has gone . No retractive switches.
I included a keyswitch in case the PIRs packed up so lights could go to manual ,no windows see!
Also fairly large office with a PIR controlling a contactor , about 15 people in there , but lights stop on till the last one has gone . No retractive switches.
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I'm wondering if they mean a N/C (Normally closed) retractive , perhaps theres a link to wire to , then break the timer feed to shut them off earlier .
As some have said , a retractive could be used at a door or something to emulate movement. Not sure what they're trying to achieve TBH.
That's only what I can think of Evans. Can't see it being used to bring them on early as why not just fit a PIR in the ceiling. I can only assume like you said the Retractive switch is normally closed and then breaks the circuit when pressed to switch the lights off early.
Just to go slightly off topic , the first energy saving effort I saw was on an office job controlling loads of lights. This was many, many years ago when I was an apprentice. This wasn't a PIR (never saw those then) it was a light sensor to save the lights being on all day long.
The office was in the centre of the city , we were called back in the winter because all the lights were going off at odd times .
Lights would come on around 3.30 in the afternoon being winter and then start going off .
There were two sparks and me and it was a mystery .
It only occured on the ground and first floors, the other floors worked fine , never went off .
It was the 2nd day we were there that one of the sparks realised what it was !! Its dark outside and from 3.30 onwards the city traffic starts to get busier.... slows down.... and eventually a double decker bus stops outside ,with all it's lights on ... and the light sensor switches off .!!!!
By the time we got to the floor the bus had gone and then the lights would be coming back on again .
Long time ago , Royal Exchange Assurance Building , Temple Street, B,ham.
The office was in the centre of the city , we were called back in the winter because all the lights were going off at odd times .
Lights would come on around 3.30 in the afternoon being winter and then start going off .
There were two sparks and me and it was a mystery .
It only occured on the ground and first floors, the other floors worked fine , never went off .
It was the 2nd day we were there that one of the sparks realised what it was !! Its dark outside and from 3.30 onwards the city traffic starts to get busier.... slows down.... and eventually a double decker bus stops outside ,with all it's lights on ... and the light sensor switches off .!!!!
By the time we got to the floor the bus had gone and then the lights would be coming back on again .
Long time ago , Royal Exchange Assurance Building , Temple Street, B,ham.
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