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Info About Touchplate Low Voltage Lighting Systems
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Touch-Plate Low Volt Lighting Controls & Plates
Produced since the 1940's, Touch-Plate low voltage lighting is one of the last historical remote control wiring systems that continues to be manufactured today. Available in a variety of contemporary switch styles, Touch-Plate devices are regularly stocked and available at authorized dealers and distributors like Kyle Design. Touch-Plate control stations are convenient and cost-effective since they include devices, mounting brackets, cover plates and screws in a single unit. Touch-Plate switches can also be wired to work with other popular three-wire low volt set-ups, such as Remcon, Bryant and GE low voltage systems for which replacement parts can be more difficult to find.
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Touch-Plate 5000 Series Control StationsElegant and simple, Touch-Plate's original 5000 series lighting controls are available in single gang configurations with one, two or three buttons. Coordinating plastic screwless switchplates are also offered with single, double and triple device openings that each measure 5/8" high by 1-1/8" wide.
Touch-Plate Genesis Series Switch StylesRugged Touch-Plate Genesis switch units come in one button single gang sizes or two and three button double gang sizes. Matching plastic covers with 1 hole, 2 holes and 3 holes have device openings of 1-23/32" high by 27/32" wide. Openings are 1-13/16" apart on double device plates and 1-1/4" apart on three hole plates, with screw holes spaced 3-9/32" center to center. Old style 1400A, 1400B, and 1400C model switches are 1 amp 24 volt, while the new Genesis switches are 4 amp 28 volt. This does not pose a problem. The newer Genesis Series are built to withstand a higher level of current, but they are compatible with the original systems.
Touch-Plate Classic Series Lighting ControlsPopular Touch-Plate Classic switch stations have a great modern design with 1/2" button caps and are offered in various one or two gang sizes to control four, six, eight, twelve and eighteen lights. Plastic 1 gang and 2 gang screw-less switch covers are available with 2" high by 1-9/16" wide device openings. Classic series switches are also available with optional LED lights for low voltage systems that have existing pilot light wiring.
Touch Plate Control Unit ColorsTouch-Plate 5000, Genesis and Classic model series are all available in white, almond and ivory; black Classic series switches can be special ordered. White and ivory have been manufactured since 1946, almond was introduced in the early 2000's, and black is fairly new. Brown devices were produced from the late 50's to the 70's, but are now discontinued. Touch-Plate's white is a creamy, warm white; almond is slightly darker with a blush undertone; and ivory is noticeably darker with a yellowish-tan antique ivory coloration.
Older Touch-Plate Metal Overlay Wall PlatesThese decorative Touch-Plate switch covers were produced around the 1960's and were uniquely customizable in that homeowners could create their own wall plate configuration with just a standard mounting frame and different metal overlays. Today, this flush plate style is no longer manufactured and most Touch-Plate devices include wall covers made of durable plastic.
Original Two-Wire Touch-Plate 3000 RelayTouch-Plate currently offers the SPST (single pole, single throw) 3000 model relay for operation of standard unlighted momentary switches. Backwards compatible, the 3000 relay can be used for drop-in replacement of older 1550-A, 2500-B and 4000 Touch-Plate relay models. CSA and UL listed 3000 relay bases measure 1.65" H by 1.98" W - which is approximately 1" larger than previous relays - and have a contact rating of 120/277/347 VAC 20 amp.
Newer Touch-Plate TPS-0120 TransverterThis updated TPS-0120 transverter is Touch-Plate's latest power supply model. Measuring 3-5/16" wide by 2-3/4" high, the TPS-0120 replaces older TVR-1 transverters as well as the 78K1 transformer and 17C converter power supply combination in houses built prior to 1957. Featuring a 120 VAC input with 28 VDC output, the UL listed TPS-0120 is backwards compatible for use in Touch-Plate systems dating back to the 1940's.
Using Touch-Plate Switches in 3-Wire Low Volt SystemsAlthough Touch-Plate devices operate from two wires (one switch wire, one common wire), they can be wired for use in other three-wire based low voltage systems like General Electric, Remcon and Bryant. Touch-Plate's switch wire can substitute the two ON and OFF wires on three-wire switches; however, every one three-wire switch must be replaced with two Touch-Plate buttons in order to turn a light on or off and have it function properly.
Old Touch-Plate 5000 Units - Black and Aqua Blue Switch WiresOn older Touchplate low voltage switch units, the wires coming out of the back were black and teal (aqua blue). On the new switches, the wires are now white and yellow. So the one old black common wire is now replaced with individual white common wires that connect to each switch that can be spliced together. The old teal blue wires have been replaced with the yellow wires. See the 5000 series Touch-Plate low voltage wiring instructions for more information.
Touch Plate Ultra Switches
Touch Plate Mystique Switch Plate Control Stations
Touch Plate 12 button low voltage LED lighted switch plate.
Shop Kyle Design for Low Volt Lighting ComponentsSince 1982, Kyle Design has been an established source for hard to find light switch wall plates and electrical devices. Specializing in low volt lighting, we have done extensive research on older remote control wiring system types and currently stock a wide selection of hard to find low voltage replacement parts, including momentary light switches, switch plate covers, mounting brackets, relays and transformers. Feel free to contact us for help in finding low volt hardware or for answers about your older remote control lighting set-up.
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