What is a kinetic switch, and where is it worth using?
A switch that needs neither a battery nor wiring: it runs on the energy of the button press. I explain how it works, where it is worth using, and how to plan the system around the receivers.
What is a kinetic switch?
A kinetic switch is a light switch that generates the energy it needs from the force of the button press. It uses that energy to send a short radio signal to a receiver, and the receiver switches the light. That is why there is no battery inside and no wiring needed.
What it can do in practice depends mostly on the receiver: the receiver decides how many lighting circuits you switch, whether you get dimming, and whether you can also control the light from your phone. The switch "only" sends the signal, but it does so with no battery and no cable, from anywhere. Kinetic switches are part of our smart home solutions.
How do the switch and the receiver work together?
The system has two parts: the switch, which goes on the wall or any flat surface, and the receiver, which is wired into the lighting circuit. When you press the button, the switch sends a 433MHz radio signal, and the receiver's relay turns the light on or off.
What is the range?
LEDsec KS2 series kinetic switches have a range of 80m outdoors and 30m indoors. The indoor range is shorter because walls, floors and large metal surfaces weaken the radio signal. In a larger building, it is therefore worth placing the receiver close to the switches.
Is there really no battery inside?
No, and it does not need one. Pressing the button drives a tiny generator, and the energy produced is enough to send a radio signal. According to the product data, KS2 series switches are rated for more than 200,000 presses, so you will not be dealing with battery changes years from now.
Where is a kinetic switch worth using?
Anywhere you need a switch but have no wiring for it, or do not want to break into the wall. Typical situations:
- after a renovation, on a freshly painted wall where you need a new switching point,
- next to the bed, so you do not have to get up to turn off the ceiling light,
- at the top and bottom of the stairs or at both ends of a long corridor, because several switches can be paired with the same lighting circuit,
- in the bathroom: KS2 series switches are rated IP67,
- in an office, shop or restaurant, where the switch would also have to move whenever the space is rearranged.
It is worth planning with them on new builds too: wiring only has to reach the receivers, and you can decide where the switches go later.
How should you plan it? Start with the receivers
I always recommend focusing on the relays, that is the receivers, first: how many lighting groups you want to switch, and where you can mount them. That depends on the existing wiring. Once that is settled, the switches are wireless, so you can add as many as you like later, in the colour and button count you want.
Every one of our kinetic switches pairs with every one of our kinetic receivers, so choose the receiver by what you want to switch:
- KRC2204-W: 1-channel mini receiver with a dry contact (potential-free) relay, up to 10A, for up to 10 switches,
- KRC2202-W: 2-channel mini receiver with a 230V relay output, for two lighting circuits,
- KRC2104-W: 2-channel DIN rail receiver for the distribution board, with 2x16A relays,
- KRC-102: 6-channel DIN rail receiver, if you want to control several lighting circuits from one place,
- KRC2103-W: DIN rail dimmer for 230V LED lighting, up to 300W,
- KRC2209-W: 1-channel mini receiver for a 12, 24 or 48V DC power supply.
These receivers also have WiFi, so the lighting circuit can be switched from the Tuya mobile app as well, while the kinetic switch keeps working alongside it. You will find all receivers under wireless RF receivers.
Recommended receivers
KRC2204-W
1-channel mini receiver with a dry contact relay, up to 10A, with WiFi, measuring 44x44x22mm.
View product
KRC2103-W
DIN rail TRIAC dimmer for 230V LED lighting, up to 300W, adjustable from 0–100%.
View product
KRC-102
6-channel DIN rail receiver with dry contact relays, if you want to control several lighting circuits from the distribution board.
View productWhich switch should you choose?
The button count depends on how many lighting circuits you want to switch from the same spot. The 1, 2 and 3-button switches of the LEDsec KS2 series share the same 86x86mm housing, and the KM1-350 has 6 buttons for a larger living room or office. They come in several colours, so the switch can match the wall and your other fittings.
If the switch does not need a fixed place, the 4-button LE1454-RF handheld remote fits in a pocket or on the bedside table, and you can hang it on the wall with the supplied wall bracket. You will find the wall-mounted models under kinetic switches and the portable ones under battery-free remotes.
Recommended switches
KS2-154
1-button kinetic switch, IP67, 86x86mm. Also available with 2 and 3 buttons, in several colours.
View product
KM1-350
6-button kinetic switch: controls six lighting circuits from one spot, in an 86x86mm housing.
View product
LE1454-RF
4-button battery-free handheld remote, IP67, with a supplied wall bracket.
View productBefore you mount it: pair it and test it
What I see is that most of the hassle later on comes from leaving the setup and testing of devices until after installation. So it is worth pairing the switch with the wired-in receiver before it goes on the wall: hold the receiver's pairing button for about 3 seconds, and when the indicator light starts flashing, press the switch button. If the indicator light goes out, pairing was successful. If you have a question along the way, email us before the installation, so we can answer in time and all that is left on the wall is fixing the switch in place.
If you are not sure which receiver and switch suit your home or your project, write to us and we will help you put the system together.
Related categories
Frequently asked questions
Is there really no battery in a kinetic switch?
No, and it does not need one. A kinetic switch generates its radio signal from the energy of the button press, so there is never a battery to replace. The LEDsec KS2 series is rated for more than 200,000 presses.
What else do I need for the switch to work?
A kinetic receiver. The switch only sends a radio signal; the light is switched by the receiver wired into the lighting circuit. Any of our kinetic switches pairs with any of our kinetic receivers.
How far away does a kinetic switch work?
LEDsec KS2 series switches work up to 80m away outdoors and 30m indoors. Indoors, walls, floors and large metal surfaces reduce the range.
Can I fit it in the bathroom?
Yes, KS2 series switches can go in the bathroom. They are rated IP67, so they are suitable for bathroom use.
Can I switch the light from my phone too?
Yes, with a WiFi receiver. KRC series receivers can also be controlled from the Tuya mobile app, and the kinetic switch keeps working alongside them.
Can I dim the light with it?
Yes, with a dimmer receiver such as the KRC2103-W, which is designed for 230V LED lighting up to 300W. A long press on the button then changes the brightness; with a relay receiver, the switch only turns the light on and off.
Can I use two switches for the same light?
Yes. The 6-channel KRC-102 accepts up to 5 kinetic switches per relay, and our other receivers up to 10 per channel, so you can have a switch at both the top and the bottom of the stairs.
