atlas remote switch wireing question.

[Tilden]

Don't know if it will work with the Lenz unit but it does work with Atlas and should work with anything that requires a common ground.
If you mount more than one atlas switch controller in a location and attach them together using the studs provided, you only have to wire the center ground to the first controller.  The other controllers just need the two power wires.

[loathar]

Yes, phone wire is fine, use the solid strand.  Also consider using multiple pair conductor wire or cat 5 wire.  The pairs are color coded so it is easy to keep track of them, and you can use one wire as the common.  Basically setting up a switch machine buss,  run the wire out along a line of switches, using one wire as common and colored pairs to control individual switches.

Tilden

Does that really work? That would mean you could get away with just running 2 wires to each switch machine.(plus the common buss) I wonder if that would work OK with one of those LENZ LS150 units?

[Tilden]

Yes, phone wire is fine, use the solid strand.  Also consider using multiple pair conductor wire or cat 5 wire.  The pairs are color coded so it is easy to keep track of them, and you can use one wire as the common.  Basically setting up a switch machine buss,  run the wire out along a line of switches, using one wire as common and colored pairs to control individual switches.

Tilden

[MisterBeasley]

I use phone wire, too.  I get mine at Home Depot.  The hundred-foot roll of 2-pair (4-conductor) phone wire is about 9 bucks, which is a lot cheaper than any other 3-conductor I've found around.

[mobilman44]

Hi,

I've been using this wire for 20 plus years and have had no problems with it.  However, it can't take much abuse so string it where you won't snag on it.  Sears has an excellent wire stripper for $10 that works like a charm.

Mobilman44

[bearman]

I use the 22 AWG single strand bell wire. The problem is stripping the insulation from the switch leads, which are 26 AWG stranded wires, and then connecting them to the bell wire, the switch leads are pretty thin, but it will work.

[uprr]

Thank you , thank you ,thank you!! that's what I was hopeing to hear!!

[KingConrail76]

That is what I use(the solid type), it seems to work better than the stranded wire that Atlas sells for switch wire. It doesn't break as easy when tightening screw terminals, but you can't bend it more than 2-3 times to get it to fit around screw terminals or it will break also.

[uprr]

 I was wondering if I would be able to use telephone wire to get to the far away switches on my new layout? I've never tried before and was wondering if anyone else has.