Electrical / switch wiring help - 2 switches > 1 accessory

[fr€$h&m1nt¥]

Hi all

I'm after a bit of electrical circuit help if possible.

I currently have a momentary switch in place controlling an accessory but I want to add a secondary momentary switch in the circuit controlling the same accessory.

The thing is I need them to work independently from each other so the accessory will get power when only one of the switches is pressed and not needing both to be pressed to work.

The same as how a landing light in a house works with two switches working the same bulb.

Can I achieve this just by wiring up the switches in a certain way or do I need relays?

Thanks in advance
Phil

[composimmonite]

So you want to be able to switch on and off from either switch exactly the same as the landing light ?
If so simple wiring but needs a 2 way / change over switches.

[fr€$h&m1nt¥]

Thanks

Can you tell from this diagram if this switch would be suitable?

[Rich]

If you are using momentary switches, its as easy as this diagram:



Ignore that household wiring diagram, its not applicable if you are only using momentary switching.

The micro-switch will be fine as long as its not mega current you are switching (why not say what you need to control, it might make helping easier?), they are not very highly amp rated. You can also buy them in maplin electronics, along with a range of other buttons and switches, obviously.

[colnerov]

Hi, if the accessory only needs a momentary signal to work then as rich say's. But if the accessory needs to be powered all the time to work then you will need a relay and another switch to switch it off.

Colin

[vaughant]

That particular micro switch will not work as it has a n/c or "normally closed" contact which will keep the device on until the switch is made then switching it off, however then the n/o or normally open will switch it on.
Diagram above showing them wired in parallel is perfect.

[Rich]

Aug 14, 2014 20:48:25 GMT vaughant said:

That particular micro switch will not work as it has a n/c or "normally closed" contact which will keep the device on until the switch is made then switching it off, however then the n/o or normally open will switch it on.
Diagram above showing them wired in parallel is perfect.

It will work if wired between NO and 'Earth', it's oddly labeled, 'earth' should be 'common' on the diagram.

[DavidB]

Have a look at relays, they are very simple but can save a lot of extra wiring, eg fuel pump relays.
You could have two different switches powering the same relay.

[fr€$h&m1nt¥]

Thanks all, think that diagram is simple enough for me to understand.

It's the air ride solenoids I'm controlling - I left that out as I thought it was easier to ask a question by make everything general theory.

Plan is to have my normal switches dash mounted as I do currently but have a separate set on a remote lead for shows.