Betterswitch has the most versatile door switches on the market! if you haven't used a door switch in your custom or track home for walk in closets, pantry's or linen closet lighting it's understandable there's not a decorative jamb switch on the market until now! Our compact design disappears when installed, you'll be amazed to discover only 3/8" of an inch in diameter, it's paint or stainable also comes in colors to match the wood jamb your working with. If you have bi-fold doors, mirrored wardrobe sliding doors it makes no difference; the Betterswitch power controller switching system works wherever automated switching of power is needed! It's a nice finishing touch to automatically illuminate an entry coat closet for your guests by opening the door.

The POWER CONTROLLER can be Installed in any Electrical Light Fixture, Receptacle or Motor Housing. Only low voltage wiring is needed to connect the small contact switch at the remote location. This contact switch is triggered by the opening of a Door or Drawer for example. Two or more Switches can be Wired together to Operate one Power Controller no more having to perform Carpentry to install those cumbersome door jamb Switches.

For more from Betterswitch and other recommended manufacturers, click HERE.

Replacing the 2500B

Beginning early 2008, Touchplate has discontinued their 2500B and 2500BPL relays. The following is a statement from Touchplate regarding this matter:

"Major change has finally come. We are no longer offering the 2500-B replacement relay. Instead we are offering 21st Century upgrades which will take you to all new levels of lighting control... ...We will continue selling Transverters and replacement switches. Transverters will be available through 2008. We will sell switches forever."

That said, there is a workaround which is fairly easy. Touchplate is still producing the 4000-PL which does essentially the same thing as the 2500. The 4000 however, has a modular plug at the end which was made to plug into one Touchplate's system panels. All you need to do is cut the plug off and splice the wiring accordingly. Now, for liability reasons, we won't tell you exactly WHAT to do, but rest assured, Touchplate representatives assured us that the 4000-PL can be substituted directly (with the cutting of the plug) for the 2500 applications.

The following comes to us from MyElectric :

Although the 4000-PL is not an official direct replacement for the discontinued 2500-B, 2500-BPL, it has been verified by the manufacturer that this unit (4000-PL) can be used. The only real difference is that the 4000-PL has high voltage screw-terminals, where the 2500 already had some #12 wire connected. In fact, if you are using the 4000 to replace the 2500-BPL, its (in almost every way) a direct replacement.

If you are using the 4000-PL to replace a 2500-B (without the modular plug), then you will need to cut the plug off of the end of the 4000-PL. Touchplate says it will substitue just fine, both yellow wires are for the pilot, and the red and brown are the switch wires. For the high voltage side, you will need to screw in your wire. (#10 max.)

You'll really only run into trouble if your current panel is packed full. The base of the 4000-PL is about 3/4" wider (see picture below) to accomodate the screw-in terminals on the high voltage side.

Oh, and in case you were wondering what Touchplate's "21st Century Upgrades" are, it is a new system including a panel which runs upwards of $1000.

See the product link to the right to find out where to buy the 4000-PL.

Square-D Low Voltage Relays

In the 50’s, Square D sold some(or all, not 100% sure) of its low voltage line to Pass&Seymour. Pass and Seymour manufacture the modern version of this relay in the 1070B. The old Square D catalog number was 1070A.

Anyway, as you can see from the picture below, the 1070A and B are virtually identical. The only real difference is that the 1070B has a slightly larger shaft, but with its thinner nylon retaining ring, it should fit in the panel as intended. On the inside, the upgrades are somewhat more significant. The old 1070A was AC only. The 1070B can differentiate AC/DC, and the new relay can handle 20Amps, while the old one was rated at 15.

Consider a Floor Box

Check out the line of LEW floorboxes - What a great idea!

	Lew manufactures Pop-up and In-use boxes which are great space-saving ideas that can also be very attractive given various decor/settings. For more information on LEW floorboxes, including where to buy, click HERE.
Who We Are We are a group of electricians, contractors, designers, and consultants who have been in the industry for over 50 years now. We have decided to use our knowledge and experience to help others make decisions on which products to use for various aspects of homebuilding, construction, rennovation, home security, etc... Here we offer our recommendations on wiring devices, timers, dimmers, and other such devices from companies like Betterswitch, Intermatic, Touchplate, Lutron, Remcon, and others.
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