2-way and 3-way control with PIXIE #
Hallway lighting, balcony lighting, outdoor lighting: PIXIE supports 2-way, 3-way and beyond. There are two ways to deliver multiway control, and the right one depends on the wiring already in the wall (or the wiring being planned).
Every PIXIE multiway install uses two device types. #
Before picking a wiring method, get clear on the role each device plays. The Master device controls the load. The Secondary device controls the Master.
Controls the load #
The Master sits between the active and the switched active. It is the device the lighting circuit is actually wired to. One Master per multiway circuit.
Master devices #
- Smart Dimmer (SDD300BTAM) - the blue one
- Smart Switch (SWL350BT or SWL600BTAM) - the orange one
- Smart Timer Switch (STS600BTAM) - the purple one
Two methods. One critical difference. #
The whole choice comes down to how the Secondary device is wired. With straps, the Secondary sits in parallel with the load circuit. With a Multifunction Controller, the Secondary only needs an active and a neutral and pairs to the Master wirelessly.
| Method 1: Straps (S2WBTAS) | Method 2: Multifunction (SMFBTAS) | |
|---|---|---|
| Secondary device | S2WBTAS - 2-way / 3-way switch | SMFBTAS - Multifunction Controller |
| Wiring at the Secondary | Active and switched active (the existing straps), wired in parallel to the load circuit | Active and neutral only - no connection to the load circuit |
| How it connects to the Master | Hard-wired in parallel through the strap conductors | Wirelessly paired to the Master via the app or manually |
| Best fit | Existing homes that already have straps in the wall, or new installs where running straps is straightforward | Renovations and new installs where running straps is hard, expensive or impossible. Also any time you want more than 3-way control |
| Maximum switching points | Practical for 2-way and 3-way | 2-way, 4-way, 5-way, 6-way and 7-way - whatever the layout calls for |
| Setup after power-up | Master operates the load immediately. The S2WBTAS does nothing until paired in the app or manually | The Multifunction does nothing until paired (in MIMIC mode) to the Master it is meant to control |
2-way and 3-way control using straps. #
The traditional approach. The Secondary switch sits in parallel with the load circuit through the existing strap conductors.
Straps method, step by step #
Suitable when straps are already in the wall, or where running active and switched active between the switching locations is easy.
What you need #
- At least 1 x PIXIE Master device: Smart Dimmer
SDD300BTAM, Smart SwitchSWL350BTorSWL600BTAM, or Smart Timer SwitchSTS600BTAM - 1 x PIXIE 2-way / 3-way switch
S2WBTASat each additional switching location - Active and switched active running between the switching locations (existing straps are fine)
Install the Master device #
Wire the Master with active and switched active to control the attached load. This is the device that actually switches the circuit.
Install the S2WBTAS at the second location #
Wire the S2WBTAS in parallel to the active and switched active. If the existing straps are in place, use the straps as your active and switched active.
Repeat at the third and final location if required #
Each additional S2WBTAS is wired in parallel the same way.
Energise and verify the load works #
The Master will operate the connected load straight away. The S2WBTAS devices will not do anything yet.
Pair the S2WBTAS to the Master #
Pair each S2WBTAS to the Master in the PIXIE PLUS app, or pair manually at the wall. Once paired, the Secondary will switch the Master.
2-way (and beyond) using a Multifunction Controller. #
The wireless approach. The Multifunction Controller only needs an active and a neutral. Think of it as a powered Bluetooth remote control sitting in the wall.
Multifunction Controller method, step by step #
Suitable for renovations where straps are not viable, for switching points beyond 3-way, or any time you would rather avoid running additional cabling between locations.
What you need #
- 1 x PIXIE Master device on the load circuit (any of the Master devices listed in Method 1)
- 1 x PIXIE Multifunction Controller
SMFBTASat each additional switching location - Active and neutral at each Multifunction location (no connection to the load circuit required)
Install the Master on the load circuit #
Same as Method 1: the Master controls the load.
Install the Multifunction Controller at each Secondary location #
Wire the SMFBTAS using the active and neutral at that location. Note this is fundamentally different from the S2WBTAS approach: there is no parallel connection to the load circuit.
Energise #
The Multifunction Controller will not operate anything yet. It needs to be paired to the Master before it does anything.
Pair the Multifunction to the Master in MIMIC mode #
The Multifunction has two modes: MIMIC mode and Scene mode. For 2-way / 3-way / 4-way / 5-way / 6-way / 7-way operation use MIMIC mode. (Scene mode is a separate use case and is not covered here.)
Which method suits the job? #
Use the wiring already on site (or planned) to decide. The two methods produce the same end result for the homeowner. The difference is entirely about how you wire the Secondary devices.
Use the straps method (S2WBTAS) when: #
- The home already has straps in the wall between the switching locations
- The job is 2-way or 3-way (not beyond)
- Pulling active and switched active between the locations is straightforward
- You want to keep the install close to a traditional multiway in look and behaviour
Use the Multifunction method (SMFBTAS) when: #
- The home does not have straps in the wall and running them is impractical
- The job needs more than 3-way control (4-way, 5-way, 6-way or 7-way)
- The Secondary location only has access to active and neutral
- You want to avoid running additional cabling between switching points
Ready to wire it up? #
Both methods have full setup walkthroughs in the support library, plus wiring diagrams and installation guides on the Partners site.
