There are even four-way circuits, where there are three switches controlling the same light. For example, there are three-way circuits, with switches on both ends of the room. But it will still need to be capable of handling the peak wattage.įinally, be aware that not all lighting circuits are the same. A switch may be able to handle the ordinary wattage just fine. This is because electric motors have a “peak wattage”, where the wattage spikes when they turn on. Finally, some light switch timers aren’t suitable for motors. You’ll also need to be aware that most switches don’t support dimmers. But CFL and LED bulbs have different requirements. Any switch can power an older incandescent bulb. But in these higher-wattage situations, you’ll want to check and double-check your features.Īnother important thing to think about is what types of lights or appliances you’re powering. This is useful if you want to shut those outlets off overnight to save phantom power. They can even be used for circuits that control a row of kitchen appliances. However, many people use automated light switch timers for an entire room. If your switch controls a single ceiling light, it’s unlikely that you’re going to have any problems. To begin with, you need to know how many watts your circuit requires. Now that we know what we’re looking at, let’s talk features. Some of them give you the ability to set a timer, and others don’t. They typically offer app control, sometimes motion detection, night lights, and other similar “extras”. We’ve reviewed smart switches in the past, and there are some good ones on the market. Note that this is not the same as a smart switch. This is the type of switch we’re looking at today. With an automated light switch, you can typically set a separate schedule for weekends, or even a 7-day schedule. A single, 24-hour dial only lets you set a single schedule. And much like a mechanical plug-in timer, they allow you to turn your lights on and off on a schedule.
Much like a mechanical bathroom timer, they take the place of a wall light switch. However, there aren’t a lot of other useful applications for them.ĭigital timer switches are simply the next evolution of this technology. They’re often used to control bathroom fans, and also infrared lamps in hotels.
Turn a dial, and the switch will activate, typically for anywhere from 5 minutes to an hour. Similarly, mechanical bathroom timers have been around for a long time.
As the dial turned, the pins would flip the switch on and off. Typically, they worked by inserting sets of pins into a rotating dial. They were particularly popular with frequent travelers, since they could be used to turn a few lamps on and off while you were away. These were timers that could be plugged into a power outlet, and used to power various devices. If you remember the dark, prehistoric decade of the 1990s, (when dinosaurs roamed the Earth) you’ve probably seen mechanical timers.