Low Voltage Light Switches for Homes Built in 1940s, 1950s, 1960s & 1970s

Kyle Design stocks a wide range of low voltage light switches to replace or upgrade existing low voltage wiring systems for older style homes. Many homes built in the U.S. during the 1940's, 1950's, 1960's, 1970's and 1980's have low voltage lighting systems that feature rocker switches, trigger style rectangular switches or square pushbutton light switches. Review the main systems here to determine which series is in your old house.

• GE RS Series Momentary Switches: Manual override switches are momentary, single pole, double throw devices wired to the relay using standard Class 2 control wiring. The RS2 series switches are designed for installation in mounting straps (yokes), or in snap-in mounting in control panels or switch plates. These replace the older General Electric or Bryant rocker switches.
• Bracket Mount Low Voltage Sizes: These newer low voltage GE switches clip into diamond shaped brackets mounted behind low voltage wall plates in either 1 or 2 gangs sizes. Single gang plates come with one or two openings, and double gang plates come with three or four openings. These multiple vertical openings are 1.178" high by .756" wide. Switchplate covers mount into the device bracket screw holes (spaced 2.375" apart center to center).
• Snap-In Low Voltage Sizes: Uses the same RS Series low voltage switches that snap or clip into specially sized switch plates. Low voltage plates for snap-in General Electric low voltage replacement switches have a openings that are 1.278" high by .76" wide, with box mounting screw holes spaced 3.281" apart center to center.
• Bracket Mount Low Voltage Sizes: These newer low voltage GE switches clip into diamond shaped brackets mounted behind low voltage wall plates in either 1 or 2 gangs sizes. Single gang plates come with 1 or 2 openings, and double gang plates come with 3 or 4 openings. These multiple vertically oriented openings are 1.178" high by .756" wide. Switch plate covers mount into the device bracket screw holes which are spaced 2.375" apart center to center, while the bracket itself mounts into the electric box.
• Remcon Series: Older style Remcon low voltage switches were curved, stacked, bracket mount ivory rocker devices used in conjunction with box mounted transformers. Newer Remcon rocker switches were produced in black but unfortunately are longer manufactured. Touch-Plate control stations are a viable option for replacing discontinued Remcon switches.
• Touch Plate Series: Touch-Plate Lighting Control Systems has several styles of low voltage control stations. Touch-Plate Electro-Systems lighting control systems were installed in the '40s, '50s, '60s, '70s and '80s. Modern systems by Touch Plate Lighting Controls continue to be produced and are used in new installations as well as for updating or replacing older parts. The three Touchplate low volt wall plate styles shown above are the 5000, Genesis, and Classic.
• Touch Plate 5000 Series: Touchplate's 5000 series looks very similar to both GE and Bryant wall plates that have 1, 2 or 3 switches per gang, however the switches are slightly wider and spaced closer together than on those layouts. Switches that are 5/8" high x 1-1/8" wide (0.625" H x 1.125" W) mounted on a bracket with a separate switch plate cover. On the two and three openings switch plates, the buttons are spaced 2-9/32" from top edge of upper switch to the bottom edge of lower switch. Box mounting screw holes in bracket are spaced 3-9/32" (3.281") apart center to center.
• Touch Plate Genesis Series: The Genesis series has larger buttons and features industrial quality mechanisms. Genesis series button switches are 27/32" (.844") across by 1-23/32" (1.719") tall Box mounting screw holes in wallplate are spaced 3-9/32" (3.281") apart center to center. The switches are screwed into the wall plate cover.
• Touch Plate Classic Series: The Classic series features control stations with 1/2" square button caps in arrangements of 4 or 6 switches per gang that will control an equal number of lights. Switches are mounted on a bracket with a separate plastic screw-less switch plate cover that snaps over it.

Still have questions about your setup? Read Determining Your Low Voltage Lighting System for detailed descriptions, measurements and photos of common systems if you are still unsure about your low voltage wiring.