GB2457014A

GB2457014A - Bathroom switch

Info

Publication number: GB2457014A
Application number: GB0801556A
Authority: GB
Inventors: David Eric Hampden-Smith
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2008-01-29
Filing date: 2008-01-29
Publication date: 2009-08-05
Also published as: GB0801556D0

Abstract

A Bathroom Switch is a unit capable of allowing switching, dimming or timing of potentially dangerous or high voltages by first switching a low and therefore safer dc voltage by touching or being in close proximity to a tile or other such faceplate of ceramic, metal, plastic, glass or wood or a combination of these. Additionally the controller will allow this low voltage switching to be operated from one or more locations.

Description

Bathroom Switch This invention relates to an electrical switch or dimmer or time delay switch hereinafter referred to as a controller, which is activated by touching or being in close proximity to a tile made of ceramic, metal, plastic. glass or wood or a combination of these, under which is placed a sensor.

Conventional domestic electrical circuits and switches i.e. wall light switches operate on high voltages.

for example 240 vac, and can be a danger should they be broken or the cabling is for example drilled into by an drill or pierced by a nail Such circuits should not, by virtue of the high voltages present, be used in wet areas such as bathrooms or swimming pool areas: whereas the Bathroom Switch with it's built-in electrical isolation allows switches to be used in such areas, because they are only operating at low dc voltages; and by virtue if this, are safe if drilled into for example.

The object of this invention is to provide an easily fitted, safe alternative for a switch such as a light switch or dimmer or time delay switch which can for instance he used in a bathroom or any room in a house or elsewhere, and which provides safe and simple operating of fixed electrical items such as lights, fans and other usually, but not exclusively, fixed appliances. It should be easy to use by the very young, by able bodied as well as the elderly or disabled Accordingly this invention provides a low voltage electronic sensor allied to a mains voltage switch or dimming or timing controller enabling the user or installer to operate electrical devices such as lights fans and othcr usually. hut not exclusively, fixed appliances using a safe low voltage at the sensor, whilst operating higher ac voltages through the controller.

A preferred embodiment of the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawing in which: FIGURE 1 Shows a drawing representing the use of a controller with in this case 3 sensor pads at each of 3 doorways. All 3 are controlling 1 set of lights FIGURE 2 Shows a drawing representing a sensor pad fitted to a faceplate FIGURE 3 Shows a drawing representing a typical Bathroom Switch controller housing.

As shown in Figure 1. the controller (1) mounted in a ceiling void (5) AC power supplied to the controller (7) and AC power from the controller to the lights (8) are shown as double solid lines. The wires connecting the switching pads mounted on a faceplate made of plastic, wood or metal or a combination of these or standard light switches (6). operating on low voltage DC arc shown as a single dashed line (2). Doorways (3) and walls (4) are shown for representative purposes.

Figure 2 shows a typical sensor pad (9) with low voltage wires (2) attached mounted on a faceplate made of plastic, wood or metal or a combination of these (6).

Figure 3 shows a controller (I) with AC power supply wires (7). AC switched wires (8) and low voltage DC wires (2).

Claims

An electricaJ controller, constructed of metal or plastics material or a combination of these materials and housing the electrical parts which include the switch, dimmer or timer; which is activated by sensors operating on a low dc voltage. One or more switches or sensors are able to operate the controller. The controller assembly is constructed of metal or plastics material or a combination of these materials, with wires or other connections, and enables a safe low voltage switched signal to operate a controller operating a higher voltage and thus provide a safe alternative to conventional electrical switching, dimming or time switching of electrical apparatus such as lights, fans and other usually fixed appliances.