Card Switches - Frequently Asked Questions
Why are card switches necessary?
The use of card switches in an apartment is necessary because they give us the ability to control the operation of the consumption circuits connected to them. Using them we ensure low electricity consumption in the apartment because all devices are automatically turned off with the card when the owner or tenant is absent.
By using these devices in combination with magnetic contacts on doors or windows, the operation of the air conditioning units can be automatically turned off even when the card is inside the card switch and the owner/tenant is in the room. In addition, in some categories of card switches, it is also possible to access the apartment with a card.In many cases we forget to turn off the kitchen, various heating devices and other electrical appliances. By using card switches we secure the premises from possible causes of fire such as excessive consumption.
What are the categories of Olympia-Electronics card switches?
There are 4 main categories of card switch systems:
A. RFID technology card switches (for access control and operation control of consumption circuits)
B. RFID technology card switches (for checking the operation of consumption circuits)
C. Magnetic card switches (for checking the operation of consumption circuits)
D. Common 220V AC card switches (for control of consumption circuit operation – one single output)
What are the functional capabilities of RFID technology card switches for lock, lighting & air conditioning control and how are they connected?
Card switches with RFID technology provide the possibility of accessing an apartment with a card. The card (RF-50 & RF-50/T printed) when inserted into the external card switch (models RF-52/A & RF-52/A/D) activates an electronic lock system through the control device (RF-54/A) and the door is allowed to open.
The RFID technology card switches additionally activate and deactivate 2 power circuits in their supervised area (lights and air conditioning). After entering the compartment, when the card is inserted into the internal card switch (RF-53/A) it activates the 2 consumption circuits through the control device (RF-54/A). The control device is placed inside the compartment inside a panel. A power supply cable should be used to supply it for both outputs (lights and air conditioning) it monitors.
The connection of the card switches (external and internal) to the control device can be done with a power cable or simply with a UTP cable. The control device can also be connected to magnetic contacts normally closed contact that are placed on doors and windows of the apartment and following the commands they give (normally closed cold contact only) deactivate – activate the air conditioning output. The connection of the magnetic contacts to the control device can be done with a power cable or simply with an alarm cable.
The control device programs the RF-50 & RF-50/T cards first for the access to the specific room (cannot be used in another apartment) and also for the activation capabilities (e.g. only to enter and activate the lights for a maid).
What are the functional capabilities of RFID technology card switches for lighting & air conditioning control and how are they connected?
RFID technology card switches (models RF-42-watertight & RF-43) activate and deactivate 2 power circuits in their supervised area (lights and air conditioning). When the card (RF-51/A - for lighting only & RF-51/B - for lighting and air conditioning) is inserted into the card switch it activates the 2 consumption circuits through the control device (RF-57/A).
The control device is placed inside the compartment inside a panel. A power supply cable should be used to supply it for both outputs (lights and air conditioning) it monitors. The connection of the card switches to the control device can be done with a power cable or simply with a UTP cable. The control device can also be connected to magnetic contacts normally closed contact that are placed on doors and windows of the apartment and following the commands they give (normally closed cold contact only) deactivate – activate the air conditioning output. The connection of the magnetic contacts to the control device can be done with a power cable or simply with an alarm cable.
What are the functional capabilities of magnetic card switches for lighting & air conditioning control and how are they connected?
The magnetic card switch (GR-43) activates and deactivates 2 power circuits in the area it supervises (lights and air conditioning). When the magnetic card (GR-44 or GR-44/T – printed) placed on the card switch activates 1 or 2 consumption circuits through the appropriate control device (GR-45/A – only for 16A air conditioning, GR-46/A – only for 16A lighting, GR-47/A – 2 x 16A lighting & air conditioning , GR-47/A/NODELAY - 2 x 16A lighting & air conditioning without delay, GR-56/A - only for 20A lighting, GR-57/A - 2 x 20A lighting & air conditioning).
The appropriate control device is placed inside the compartment inside a panel. A power supply cable should be used to supply it and the output (or outputs) it monitors. The connection of the card switches to the control device can be done with a power cable or simply with a UTP cable. The control device can also be connected to magnetic contacts placed on doors and windows of the apartment and with the commands they give (normally closed cold contact only) deactivate – activate the air conditioning output. The connection of the magnetic contacts to the control device can be done with a power cable or simply with an alarm cable.
What are the functional capabilities of simple 220 V AC card switches and how are they connected?
Simple 220 V AC card switches are power card switches (models GR-48 & GR-48/DELAY) that control the power supply of a room. It has an LED indicator that is activated when the device is off and helps to insert the card in a dark environment. GR-49 & GR-49/T card with print is used for GR-48 only. For GR-48/DELAY we can use the RF-50 or RF-51 card or some other credit card. The card switch is easily installed in a box that exists on the wall. The permitted consumption should not exceed 1500 W and in case we want more, the output should be connected to an external power relay.
A power supply cable must be used to supply the device and the output it monitors.
Which card switch system is most suitable?
The choice of the appropriate card switch depends on the following factors:
1. Automations we want (e.g. if we need to open a door in addition to controlling the services in a room we should choose RFID technology automations).
2. Flexibility of installation (if there is a panel in the room, available wiring to the card switches, etc.).
3. Cost of materials and installation
I have connected the control device but the outlet for the air conditioner does not work. What should I do;
The device to activate the air conditioning output (14) should have a closed magnetic contact connected to terminals 4 & 5. If the contact is open on a door or window then even if the card is inside the card switch then the output will always be without electricity. In this case, we should check the correct operation and correct positioning of the magnetic contact. If there are no magnetic contacts and we want the air conditioner to be turned on anyway even if the window or door is open, then we should short circuit terminals 4 & 5.
In card switch technologies with RFID we will have to separately program with the card.
Can I use a control device to control some window or patio door air conditioners with magnetic contacts without the card switch?
The device can be used even without the card switch but we must short-circuit the terminals 2 & 3 intended for the connection with the card switch. The air conditioning output (14) will only be active when the magnetic contact connected to terminals 4 & 5 is always closed.
Why should one choose OLYMPIA ELECTRONICS card switch products?
- Olympia Electronics has been manufacturing safety electronic systems since 1979.
- More than 10% of total 220 employees of Olympia Electronics work in the Research and Development department.
- It has a fully vertically integrated production process.
- It has ISO 9001 and 14001 certificates
- Its products are manufactured in accordance with European legislation and carry certifications from independent laboratories abroad.
- Immediate availability of products (Warehouses in Aeginio, Municipality of Pydna-Kolindrou, Prefecture of Pieria and in Athens).
- Technical Support every day from 07:00 to 20:00 at night
- It is trusted by 72 foreign countries (70% of the turnover is exports)
