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Automatic switching of path lights when wicket is opened - how to do it?

SebM 3006 17
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Treść została przetłumaczona polish » english Zobacz oryginalną wersję tematu
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  • #1 16644145
    SebM
    Level 12  
    Hello,
    I would like the lights on the path (supplied with 230v) to switch on when I open the gate.
    How do I implement this?
    You could probably use a motion detector, but I have a dog and he would probably switch the light on at night.
    Can I use a limit switch such as this
    http://sklep.jawaautomatic.pl/me-9101-wylacznik-krancowy.html
    which I will mount in the post and the spring will work with the wicket, which when opening will bend the spring and give voltage to the AS-212.
    Only can such a switch give impols only bending to one side?
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  • #2 16644239
    bubu1769
    Level 43  
    This limit switch you specified gives a pulse no matter which way the stick is bent.
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  • #3 16644243
    rafcio_21
    Level 29  
    You can use a cut-off switch with an automatic staircase lighting system which, on the impulse of the cut-off switch, will switch on the lamps for e.g. one minute.
  • #4 16644249
    dedito
    Level 39  
    Such automatics operate on a rising edge so there should be no problem.
    I assume that electric shock protection is provided.
    There is also a version powered from a lower voltage - the AS-214.
  • #5 16644257
    Radiokiller
    Level 30  
    The limit switch, in my opinion, is designed to disconnect something.
    Maybe one from a fridge would be a simpler solution and without a spring. The question of airtightness to think about.
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  • #6 16644262
    rafcio_21
    Level 29  
    Typically, such industrial stops are hermetic and have a choice of NC or NO contacts.
  • #7 16644308
    dedito
    Level 39  
    The author has provided a link to the switch:
    Quote:
    Turn and NO pins : 1 NO + 1 NC
    .
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  • #8 16644338
    SebM
    Level 12  
    dedito wrote:
    ....
    I assume that electric shock protection is provided.
    ...
    .
    What do you have in mind? The earthing conductor?
  • #9 16644795
    dedito
    Level 39  
    SebM wrote:
    dedito wrote:
    ....
    I assume that electric shock protection is provided.
    ...
    .
    What do you have in mind? The earthing conductor?
    .
    Call an electrician.
  • #10 16645061
    SebM
    Level 12  
    Because electricians are already flying to such a "fuck".
    " Lord maybe in the winter when there is more time."
    And how will I lay the cable in the winter if I have to ?

    Or else.
    I have a 3x1.5 gel-coated cable dug in.
    Will it be possible for me to connect a 12 v led on this cable. Then I could control the light with buttons from the intercom.
    Should I replace the cable with another one?
  • #11 16645075
    dedito
    Level 39  
    I'm not up to date with the regulations but for my own safety and that of other people and animals I would protect this circuit with a residual current circuit breaker, the circuit of course then being accepted by an authorised electrician.
  • #12 16645346
    SebM
    Level 12  
    The differential is to be separate for this circuit. The question is whether there are any advantages in favour of 230 volts, or whether everything should be done on 12 volts, in which case the control is less of a problem.
  • #13 16645358
    bubu1769
    Level 43  
    It depends what length of wire you have. At 12v DC you will have a fair amount of wire loss but the LEDs should reasonably work.
  • #14 16645435
    SebM
    Level 12  
    Cable max. approx. 50 metres, 6 -8 lamps for path lighting only.
  • #15 16646692
    bhtom
    Level 39  
    Welcome,

    Surely it will be simpler and safer on 12V DC. With a 3x1.5mm2 cable there should be no problems. For safety, buy a power supply with adjustable output voltage so that you have 12V at the lights.
    At the wicket you can use (if you have the space) photocells from the gate operators to trigger the time relay. What wire do you have pulled up to the wicket? What about switching on the lights from the other side of the path?

    Greetings.
  • #16 16647347
    SebM
    Level 12  
    I have laid a 3x1.5 mm2 gel-coated black cable.
    I can turn on the light from the house with a classic on/off switch or with the intercom button. Although I would prefer a switch. Everything is connected to the box in which I also have an as-212 to control the lights from two sides. At 12v I will change to the one recommended above.
    Won't such a gated motion sensor catch my dog?
  • #17 16647370
    bhtom
    Level 39  
    Welcome,

    Is 3 wires not enough? You have one such wire to power the lights and the other to the gate, is that right?
    If a dog runs up to the gate and breaks the transmitter -> receiver harness, of course it will turn on the lights.

    Greetings.
  • #18 16647510
    SebM
    Level 12  
    With these three wires according to the description of the as-212, the light can be switched on from one end and the other. Something like a cross switch.
    I also have an intercom for the wicket, from which I could switch the light on the path using a button. Then these detectors are unnecessary.
    And are there any advantages of 230v lamps, because now I have read that if I want to control the swing gate there is 24v. Then why do I need the 230v?
    Alternatively, at the gate, some kind of maintenance-free solution, I open the gate, I get a pulse and the light comes on.
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Topic summary

✨ The discussion addresses the implementation of automatic path lighting triggered by opening a gate (wicket) powered by 230V. The proposed solution involves using a limit switch (e.g., ME-9101) mounted on the gate post, which activates a pulse signal when the gate opens by bending a spring mechanism. This pulse can trigger an automatic staircase lighting controller such as the AS-212 or AS-214, which operate on rising edge impulses to switch lights on for a preset duration. The limit switch typically provides a pulse regardless of bending direction and may have normally closed (NC) or normally open (NO) contacts. Hermetic industrial switches or simpler alternatives like refrigerator door switches were suggested, considering environmental sealing and durability. Safety considerations include using residual current circuit breakers and proper earthing. The discussion also covers the choice between 230V and 12V DC systems, with 12V DC preferred for safety and ease of control, especially over cable runs up to 50 meters with 3x1.5 mm² gel-coated cable. Power supplies with adjustable output voltage are recommended for stable 12V LED operation. Integration with intercom systems and manual switches for dual control of the path lights was also considered. Concerns about motion detectors triggering lights due to pets were raised, favoring mechanical or contact-based switching methods. The use of photocells from gate operators to trigger time relays was mentioned as an alternative. Overall, the solution involves combining mechanical limit switches with low-voltage control electronics to achieve reliable, safe, and user-friendly automatic path lighting upon gate opening.
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FAQ

TL;DR: For a 3×1.5 mm² cable run, “simpler and safer on 12 V DC” plus a gate‑triggered impulse/timer relay reliably switches path lights. [Elektroda, bhtom, post #16646692]

Why it matters: This FAQ shows how to auto‑switch path lights on gate opening without false triggers from pets, and what to wire for safety and reliability.

Quick Facts

How do I switch path lights automatically when the wicket opens?

Mount a limit switch on the post so the wicket movement gives a pulse. Feed that pulse into a staircase/impulse relay (e.g., AS‑212/AS‑214) set for the desired on‑time. Wire its output to the path lights’ supply. “Such automatics operate on a rising edge,” so a brief pulse is enough. [Elektroda, dedito, post #16644249]

Will the ME‑9101 limit switch send a pulse in only one direction?

No. That style sends a pulse regardless of which way the lever is bent. This makes it suitable for door or gate motion that can move the actuator both ways. It simplifies mechanical mounting because you don’t need directional detection—only contact closure on movement. [Elektroda, bubu1769, post #16644239]

What exactly is a staircase (impulse) lighting relay?

It’s a module that toggles or times a lighting circuit from short control pulses. You press a momentary button (or trip a switch), and the relay turns lights on for a set time, then off automatically. Models like AS‑212 run on mains; AS‑214 is a lower‑voltage version. “Such automatics operate on a rising edge.” [Elektroda, dedito, post #16644249]

Is 12 V or 230 V better for this path lighting job?

12 V DC is simpler to make safe outdoors and easier to control from accessories. One expert put it plainly: “Surely it will be simpler and safer on 12V DC.” Use an adjustable 12 V supply to counter voltage drop and keep lamp voltage correct at the end of the run. [Elektroda, bhtom, post #16646692]

Will a motion sensor or gate photocell trigger on my dog?

Yes. If your dog crosses a gate transmitter‑to‑receiver beam, it will switch the lights on. Choose a mechanical limit switch or a concealed reed switch on the wicket if pet‑proof triggering matters more than intrusion detection. [Elektroda, bhtom, post #16647370]

Can I reuse the 3×1.5 mm² cable for 12 V LED path lights?

Yes. A 3×1.5 mm² run is acceptable for 12 V over typical garden distances when paired with an adjustable supply to maintain voltage at the fixtures. Keep total load reasonable and verify end‑of‑line voltage under load. [Elektroda, bhtom, post #16646692]

What length and lamp count did the original project target?

Approx. 50 m total cable with about 6–8 path lights. Use this as a planning reference when sizing the power supply and verifying voltage drop under load. [Elektroda, SebM, post #16645435]

How do I avoid nuisance switching from both opening and closing?

You don’t need to. The lever switch pulses in either direction and the impulse/timer relay reacts only to the rising edge. The outcome is one timed ON per movement sequence, not chatter. Set the relay’s time to cover walk‑through duration. [Elektroda, dedito, post #16644249]

What contacts does the referenced limit switch provide?

The linked model offers one normally‑open and one normally‑closed contact (1 NO + 1 NC). Choose the NO contact for a clean trigger pulse to the relay. [Elektroda, dedito, post #16644308]

Can I trigger the lights from my intercom instead of sensors?

Yes. Use the intercom’s momentary button to send a control pulse into the AS‑212/AS‑214 input. That lets you switch from the house and the gate, acting like a multi‑way control without extra mains switching. [Elektroda, SebM, post #16647347]

Is there 24 V available in many swing‑gate operators for control?

Yes. Many gate operators expose a 24 V control circuit you can use for a pulse input to your timer/impulse relay, eliminating separate mains triggers at the wicket. Confirm your operator’s terminals before wiring. [Elektroda, SebM, post #16647510]

What electrical safety should I include outdoors?

Protect the lighting circuit with an RCD/GFCI and have the installation checked by an authorised electrician. Outdoor circuits face moisture and mechanical risks; residual‑current protection is a key safety layer. [Elektroda, dedito, post #16645075]

Any edge cases to watch with microswitches at the gate?

Ensure weather sealing and correct mounting. A poorly sealed microswitch can fail from moisture ingress, and misalignment can cause missed pulses. Industrial units are typically hermetic and offer NC or NO choice for robust triggering. [Elektroda, rafcio_21, post #16644262]

Quick 3‑step: how do I wire a wicket limit switch to an AS‑212?

  1. Wire the limit switch NO contact to the AS‑212 control input and common.
  2. Set the AS‑212 time (e.g., 60 s) and connect its output to the light circuit.
  3. Adjust for a clean “rising edge” pulse when the wicket moves. [Elektroda, dedito, post #16644249]

Will 12 V over 50 m cause noticeable dimming?

Expect some voltage drop on 12 V DC runs. Use a suitably rated, adjustable power supply and size the load (e.g., 6–8 fixtures) to keep end‑of‑line voltage near 12 V. Measure under load and trim the supply. [Elektroda, bhtom, post #16646692]

Can the AS‑212 mimic a cross/three‑way switch from both ends?

Yes. With a momentary control at each end, the AS‑212 provides multi‑point control like a cross/three‑way setup, but using pulses instead of latching mains switches. This simplifies wiring and integrates with intercom triggers. [Elektroda, SebM, post #16647347]
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