Post by thread:Designer switches

part 0 2696 bytes <META content=text/html;charset=iso-8859-1 http-equiv=Content-Type> <META content='"MSHTML 4.72.3110.7"' name=GENERATOR> </HEAD> <BODY bgColor=#ffffff> <DIV><FONT color=#000000 size=2>I am still looking for designer switches that fit into a standard US single gang wall switch plate.  I have seen these switches in alarm systems and light dimmers, but non as standalones.  I talked to many of the standard suppliers of home electrical switches and alarm systems, and the ones that do use them, they are custom made ($150 for a single gang with 4 switches).  I have searched the WEB, all the catalogs at the electrical and electronic suppliers, Digi-key, etc.  No such luck.  </FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT color=#000000 size=2></FONT> </DIV> <DIV><FONT size=2>I am now using the standard drill a hole and mount a pushbutton switch.  My wife says they look like a airplane cock-pit.  I have to agree, they are ugly.</FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT color=#000000 size=2></FONT> </DIV> <DIV><FONT size=2>Ideally I need four monetary and two push on push off in a single gang plate.</FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT size=2></FONT> </DIV> <DIV><FONT size=2>Any help would be appreciated.</FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT size=2></FONT> </DIV> <DIV><FONT size=2>Thanks.</FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT size=2></FONT> </DIV> <DIV><FONT size=2>Steve</FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT size=2></FONT> </DIV> <DIV><FONT size=2>PS  E-mail me directly and I will summarize the results, if any.</FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT size=2><A href="spam_OUTsdavidsonTakeThisOuTits.bldrdoc.gov">.....sdavidsonKILLspam@spam@its.bldrdoc.gov</A></FONT></DIV>> <DIV><FONT size=2></FONT> </DIV> <DIV><FONT color=#000000 size=2>----------------------------------------------------------<BR>Steven M. Davidson<BR>Department of Commerce<BR>NTIA/ITS<BR>325 Broadway<BR>Boulder,  CO  80303<BR>W 303-497-3411<BR>Fax  303-497-6982<BR><A href="sdavidsonKILLspamits.bldrdoc.gov">.....sdavidsonKILLspam.....its.bldrdoc.gov</A><BR>--------------------------------------------------------</FONT></DIV></BODY></HTML> </x-html>

I've no idea what a US standard wall mount plate is like but there are several manufacturers in Europe who make modular switches (and not only) and they have catalogs. At least one (Gewiss) has got all sorts of things that are unrelated to lighting and plug into their modular frames (including speakers, nightlights, timers and whatnot). The frames are single or multiple modular wall mount plates and the swicthes etc pop into them with plastic claws. I guess you should be able to buy all that for less than $129 per place. Gewiss is in Italy at: http://www.gewiss.com hope this helps, Peter

Here is a link to a home automation site that sells Switches with X-10 controllers that fit into a single gang box. They let you buy just the switch part (no X-10 controller) that has a single 8 pin header that should not be too hard to figure out the pinout. They offer a wide variety from 1 switch to 4 with LED status lights. It uses a standard Decora Wall Plate cover. The 4 switch with LED's costs $16.95US... Not cheap but better than $150 I have never tried to connect a PIC to any of these, but I thought it was worth mentioning. http://www.smarthome.com/4210.html Just my 2 cents. David. {Original Message removed}

Steven Davidson wrote: > I am now using the standard drill a hole and mount a pushbutton > switch. My wife says they look like a airplane cock-pit. I have to > agree, they are ugly. Please recall that all these switches, volume controls etc. are meant to be mounted to a (metal) plate and an escutcheon plate, suitably drilled, placed over this. That's how it happened, oh, 50 years ago! For a wall plate, you use a blank with a metal or plastic mounting plate screwed to the rear (the right plate should have the holes for this already) without penetrating; the switches are mounted to this and the actuators project through holes in the plastic escutcheon. Easy! (Albeit - you have to do some work on it!) -- Cheers, Paul B.