Customer Request:

• Create a wall switch that can control their custom equipment.
• Control their custom equipment had 3 operational states which should translate to 3 buttons on the wall switch.
• The custom equipment is controlled via RS232.
• The custom equipment can also be controlled via an IR remote control
• The wall switch should indicate the real state of the equipment, not the last button pressed.  For example, if an end user changes the state via the IR remote the wall switch should update accordingly.
• Connection to the switch should be with a single cat 5 cable providing low voltage and RS232
• No AC power should be required
• All components should be contained to the switch, no external circuitry or devices.
• The look and feel of the switch should match a decora style switch.

Our Solution:

• We converted a SONOFF M5 Decora switch to low voltage operation with RS232 output
• We programmed the custom switch to send appropriate commands to the equipment on button press and update the LED state of the switch if the equipment was changed via IR or other methods.
• This approach allowed for low volume fast production using an off the shelf housing, but also allowed for an identical high volume and lower cost future option. 

Can a similar solution work in your application?  Contact us to discuss your project!