Green energy by the press of a button

Controlling light, music or heat with an app or voice is fascinating. But it is often the simple things that help us the most in everyday life – and ingenious technologies bring even more comfort into our homes. For example, a switch that can communicate wirelessly with lights, the stereo system or household appliances without needing cables or batteries. The finger press of a button is the only energy source it requires. The ‘Battery-free by EnOcean’ seal identifies such battery-free switches.

With its battery-free wireless technology, EnOcean has found a greener way to win energy Reaching for the smartphone has become part of our everyday lives – not only to make phone calls or write messages. In many people’s homes it is also a remote control for light and light scenes – new LED technologies with radio communication make this possible. However, you don’t always have your hands free or the time to pull your smartphone out of your pocket, open the app and select the right light. The familiar light switch is and remains the most convenient and quickest way to switch on the light. A wireless switch can communicate with modern luminaires just like the smartphone. At the same time, it is always quickly at hand and can be flexibly positioned. The disadvantage of this solution: most radio switches draw their energy from batteries.

These are often empty at the most inconvenient times. As soon as the battery compartment is open, the search for a suitable replacement battery begins, which is seldom immediately at hand. All of a sudden, the wireless switch is no longer the convenient alternative to the smartphone, but causes annoying maintenance work instead. In addition, batteries contain toxic substances and must be disposed of as hazardous waste. The degradation of lithium and the heavy metals contained in batteries, such as cadmium or nickel, pollute the environment just as much as their disposal. Batteries are a major environmental problem, and with more and more battery-powered devices, the mountain of waste continues to grow.

100% battery-free

With its battery-free wireless technology, EnOcean has found a greener way to win energy. Thanks to energy harvesting, wireless switches can ‘harvest’ their energy from the immediate environment. They use the kinetic energy from the press of a button as the energy source. As soon as the user presses the button, an electromechanical energy converter inside the switch is activated.

One huge advantage that self-powered switches have over wired and battery-powered alternatives is the great flexibility that comes with them. Users can simply put the switch wherever they need it – on the wall, on the living room table, by the bed etc. It is also 100% battery-free, so ready for use at any time. The seal ‘Battery-free by EnOcean’ marks such battery-free switches. Thus, the private user can deliberately choose a maintenance-free and environmentally friendly product. At the same time, the seal stands for EnOcean’s market-leading battery-free wireless technology which guarantees quality and durability.

Versatile use

There are many possible uses for a battery-free switch. As a ‘central ON/OFF switch’, for example, the user can use it to switch off all consumers when leaving the house. Likewise, a battery-free switch can turn lights on and off, dim lamps or raise and lower blinds.

Eltako is a ‘Battery-free by EnOcean’ programme partner

The company Eltako also makes use of the advantages of a battery-free radio switch. As its switches are based on EnOcean’s battery-free wireless technology, they require neither batteries nor cables. Eltako has been a partner of the ‘Battery-free by EnOcean’ programme since day one and has battery-free radio switches available in different colours and designs, so there is a suitable solution for every taste and interior design. In addition, they can be combined with existing switches and sockets of the same brand because they fit into the respective single and multiple wall frames. Smart light switches, therefore, offer easy-to-understand control options and allow access to all features.

Battery-free switches for the IoT

The battery-free wireless switch can also be a central element in the Internet of Things (IoT). As part of an IoT network, together with self-powered wireless sensors, it provides important data for the intelligent control and digitalisation of buildings. This is where the EnOcean wireless standard comes into play, which is optimised for communication in buildings with its reliability and long range.

Whether for the right light or the right song in your own home, whether for the maintenance-free control of LED lighting systems or of shading and light in the office building – a battery-free radio switch makes everything possible with a click, without ever having to replace a single battery.