Editing Light switch (section)

===Electronic switches===
[[File:Dimmer switch with RF-based lighting control.jpg|thumb|Dimmer with [[radio frequency|RF-based]] remote control<ref>{{cite web |title=How Do Lighting Controls Work? |url=http://www.heath-zenith.com/light_controls_howwork.htm |publisher=HeathCo |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140913163820/http://www.heath-zenith.com/light_controls_howwork.htm |archive-date=13 September 2014 }}</ref>]]

In principle, it is easy to design silent switches in which the mechanical contacts do not directly control the current but simply signal a solid-state device such as a [[thyristor]] to complete the circuit. Many variations on this theme have been created and marketed. "[[Touch switch#Capacitance touch switch|Touch-plate]]" devices can be operated by touching or merely waving a hand near the switch. Touch switches have no moving parts and electronically switch the light circuit. {{As of|1986|post=,}} these remain specialty items. Electronic switches provide flexibility in terms of different interfaces for their operations, such as touch plates, soft-touch controls, pressure or light sensor-based control, interactive touch-screens (which are widely used in aircraft for lighting control), and others.

Public buildings such as hospitals frequently save energy by using [[motion detector]] switches, also known as [[occupancy sensor]]s. The occupancy sensors can also be used in residential applications such as in bathrooms, garages, and hallways.<ref>{{cite web |title=PR150-1LW |publisher=Leviton |url=https://leviton.com/products/pr150-1lw |access-date=21 March 2025 }}</ref>

A [[wireless light switch]] provides remote control of lighting using a hand-held transmitter. While the controlling device may be a unit dedicated to this purpose, increasingly such switches may be controlled by the technology (such as [[Bluetooth]] or [[Wi-Fi]]) now found in [[smartphone]]s.

Wired remote control of lighting switches is also possible using, for example, [[X10 (industry standard)|X10 signaling]] over the power wires.