Switch that switches off all the lights in the house

[Skindy]

Hi guys

Was wondering if anyone has any information on a switch, that will turn off all the lights off in the house.

I need to know what it is actually called and any advice on how to install it.

I will very grateful for any help

Many thanks

 

[telectrix]

switch, contactor, bit of cable. stir well and serve hot.

 

[Pete999]

I have to ask, why do you want all the lights in your house controlled by a single switch?

 

[telectrix]

last man out turn off the lights. a bit like the EU when we leave.

 

[telectrix]

I have to ask, why do you want all the lights in your house controlled by a single switch?

c'mon, pete, that's like asking my dog why he licks his balls. .... because he can.

 

[Octopus]

Probably cheaper and easier to fit led lamps to all lights then the cost of running then won't be a problem

 

[Pete999]

c'mon, pete, that's like asking my dog why he licks his balls. .... because he can.

Well you have to ask, seems a very odd thing to try and do.

 

[telectrix]

well, you don't want to be running all round thew house switching off lights when it's 10 minutes to last orders and the pub is 5 minutes walk.

 

[benji]

how many lighting circuits in the house?

 

[amlu]

couple of contactors should do the job. one for each lighting circuit. they can be din rail mounted in the consumer unit if there is space. easily done, couple of hours work for a competent electrician.

 

[rolyberkin]

Hi guys

Was wondering if anyone has any information on a switch, that will turn off all the lights off in the house.

I need to know what it is actually called and any advice on how to install it.

I will very grateful for any help

Many thanks

The MCB's on your consumer unit can be used for functional switching BS EN 60898, BE EN 60947-2 or BS EN 61009-1 are all suitable for functional switching (Table 53.4), or give us a context as to what the purpose is and there may be a more convenient method?

 

[Darkwood]

I would also check there are no mains linked smokes on the circuit!

 

[Martin Kerr]

Or PIR's on the external lights ,when you are on your way home from the pub

 

[Phil Thompson]

Do you want like an override switch that cuts the power to every lighting circuit? Or do you want to be able to turn all the lights on as well as off?

 

[sparksburnout]

last man out turn off the lights. A bit like the eu when we leave.

yeah man!!!!

 

[Adam W]

Hi guys

Was wondering if anyone has any information on a switch, that will turn off all the lights off in the house.

I need to know what it is actually called and any advice on how to install it.

I will very grateful for any help

Many thanks

What you're after is known as a 'last man out switch'. It's not necessarily a 'thing' which you add in though, it can be dependent on the way the house has been wired. As others have said you can install contactors on each lighting circuit which are simply controlled from a switch at the front door, like a hotel master switch, but you'd always need to remember to switch it back on when you re-enter the property, turning everything back on which was left on when you left the house, you'd need to re-enter by the same way you left, and as has already been mentioned if you have anything like outdoor security lights, alarms, clocks etc wired into the lighting circuit they will all be turned off when you leave as well.

Alternatively you could have a contactor for every light switch controlled by separate momentary push to make and push to break switches, then a master push to break switch at each exit which cuts power to all the contactors, then each light can be switched back on as needed, like a safety stop switch in a workshop.
Once you have your house wired like this it should be easy enough to swap the contactors for an intelligent lighting system, so you could turn all the lights on and off via an app on a smart phone, which seems to be all the rage nowadays.

Or as Murdoch says you could change all your light bulbs for low energy ones so it won't make as much difference if you leave the lights on,
Or you could get into the habit of turning lights off as you leave a room.

 

[sparksburnout]

why, exactly, do you need this peculiar function? I believe 99% of the country get by without it?

 

[rolyberkin]

why, exactly, do you need this peculiar function? I believe 99% of the country get by without it?

It's for when he goes down the pub and leaves the Mrs at home

 

[Martin Kerr]

Or the DNO can provide this facility, when you don't pay the bill!!!!!!

 

[HandySparks]

Hi guys

Was wondering if anyone has any information on a switch, that will turn off all the lights off in the house.

I need to know what it is actually called and any advice on how to install it.

I will very grateful for any help

Many thanks

No need to install anything additional. Just use the one marked 'Main Switch'.

 

[djelectric]

Or if you're happy to spend some money you could get some form of lighting controller system that works via an app on your phone, and shut all the lights off from there if you cant be bothered to get out of bed.. Failing that, hopefully your fusebox will have a switch labelled 'lights' which is pretty self explanatory. Or drink plenty of Peroni and not care about the lights being on until the morning!

 

[uksparks]

Hi guys

Was wondering if anyone has any information on a switch, that will turn off all the lights off in the house.

I need to know what it is actually called and any advice on how to install it.

I will very grateful for any help

Many thanks

yes there is one, and you may already have it. Take a look in your meter cupboard for something that looks like this!