🔘 Push Button Switch Panel

🔧 Overview

Push button panels are the primary user interface for your home automation system. Unlike wireless switches that can lose connection or have battery issues, hardwired illuminated push buttons provide instant, reliable control.

Each panel contains up to 4 illuminated push button switches with individual LED illumination, allowing users to see the switch even in darkness. The industrial approach uses low-voltage signaling for safety and reliability.

Why Illuminated Push Buttons?

• Instant Response: No wireless delays or connection issues
• Night Operation: Dimmable illumination for comfortable night use
• Tactile Feedback: Physical confirmation of button press
• Wife Acceptance Factor: Familiar interface that everyone can use

The switch panels are manufactured from standard wall plates with precision-drilled holes to mount 16mm illuminated push button switches. This approach provides a professional appearance while maintaining industrial reliability standards.

📋 Technical Specifications

🔌 Wiring & Installation

Cable Installation Process

It's best if you run the required cable and add a spare. If a core fails in years to come, you will have a backup (it most likely won't fail because you ran a spare - Murphy's law).

Cable Termination

Use standard Ethernet cable with RJ45 modular plugs installed on both ends following the T-568 convention. Like a lot of things, this convention has 2 variations:

• T-568A: Used in Australia, keeping backward compatibility with the old phone system
• T-568B: Used just about everywhere else in the world

RJ45 Connector Pin Configuration

The RJ45 connector pin layout and color coding follows the standard Ethernet wiring conventions:

RJ45 Pin Configuration showing T-568A and T-568B wire color standards

How to Crimp RJ45 Plugs onto Ethernet Cables

Proper termination of RJ45 connectors is crucial for reliable operation. Follow these steps for professional results:

RJ45 pass Through Connector

Easy connection of RJ45 connector

Step-by-Step Crimping Process:

1. Slide a strain relief boot onto the cable
2. Carefully cut about seven centimetres of insulation off the wires
3. Remove the plastic divider used for decreasing crosstalk and ripcord thread from the exposed section
4. Untwist the wires and firmly stroke them to straighten them out
5. Place the wires in the correct order as per T-568A or T-568B (whichever preferred)
6. Get an RJ45 pass-through connector and starting from one side, pass the first wire into the connector and through the connector, making sure of correct orientation
7. Continue with the next wire making sure there is no gap between the wires
8. Move the connector firmly back on the wire so that the strain relief holds on the outer jacket
9. Put the filled connector into the RJ45 crimper and crimp firmly
10. Carefully remove the excess wires hanging out of the connector with a sharp knife
11. Once both ends of the cable have been terminated, test the cable using a network cable tester

Required Tools

Professional cable termination requires the right tools for reliable results:

RJ45 Crimping Tool

Professional crimper for secure connector termination

Network Cable Tester

Essential for verifying proper cable termination

⚡ Electrical Drawings & Schematics

Panel Wiring

RJ45 Breakout Board

Easy connection of RJ45 plug to wiers

Switch Panel Internal Wiring

Circuit for 4 Pushbutton switches

No series resistor for 4 panels

Circuit for 3 Pushbutton switches

Using 330 ohm 1/8 Watt dropping resistor

Circuit for 2 Pushbutton switches

Using 680 ohm 1/8 Watt dropping resistor

Circuit for 1 Pushbutton switch

Using 1000 ohm 1/8 Watt dropping resistor

Push button connections

I used readily available Illuminated Push button switches, but it's personal preferance as long as the button is a momentary contact ( the signal is connected to ground as long as your finger is on the button).

🔍 Panel Assembly

Assembly Instructions

1. Wall Plate Drilling: Mark and drill 16mm holes using template
2. Switch Installation: Mount switches with provided nuts and washers
3. Wiring: Connect switches to breakout board according to pin configuration
4. LED Circuit: Wire all LED positives in parallel to Pin 4, LED negatives to Pin 5
5. Testing: Verify all connections with multimeter before installation

Quality Control Checklist

🔍 Troubleshooting

Common Issues and Solutions

LED Not Illuminating

• Check 12V power supply to Pin 4 (Blue wire)
• Verify ground connection on Pin 5 (White/Blue wire)
• Test LED with external 12V supply
• Check for reversed polarity

Button Press Not Detected

• Verify continuity between COM and NO contacts when pressed
• Check signal wire connections (Pins 1, 3, 7, 8)
• Test with multimeter in continuity mode
• Inspect for loose terminal connections

Intermittent Operation

• Check RJ45 connector for proper crimping
• Inspect cable for damage or kinks
• Verify all terminal block connections are tight
• Test cable with Ethernet cable tester