ᐅ Electrical Terms and Abbreviations

Hello everyone

I am currently going through the building and service specifications, but there are some terms and abbreviations I don’t understand. I would appreciate it if someone could explain these to me, as I have little experience with electrical installations in German houses (and my German is not yet good enough):

- Per staircase: 1 x intermediate switch with 1 x DL, 1 x WL, and 4 switches
Why is an intermediate switch installed for each staircase? Is it common to control all staircase lights simultaneously from every floor? And is this usually independent of the lighting in the hallways?
What do WL and DL mean? And why do I need 4 switches per staircase?

- Per basement room: 1 x off-switch with 1 x DL
What does this off-switch with DL refer to here?
Note: This DL is only used in basement rooms and the utility room.

- Hallway: 2 x off-switch with 1 x WL
What does this off-switch with WL mean here?
Note: This WL is used only in basement and ground floor hallways and the main entrance.

These 2 switches should be two-way switches, right?

- Living room (and all other rooms): off-switch
How does this switch differ from other switches with WL or DL?

Best regards
Thank you very much

Without guarantee:
DL -> ceiling light, WL -> wall light

A crossover switch setup at the stairs means you can control the lights both at the top and bottom of the stairs.
There are four switches because: 1x wall light at the bottom, 1x ceiling light at the bottom, 1x wall light at the top, 1x ceiling light at the top.

I think a simple switch circuit is a standard switch configuration. I’m not sure how that would work with two switches without using a two-way (or single-pole double-throw) switch. ;-)

The others are just regular switches.

A four-way switching circuit with 4 switches, meaning 2 two-way switches and 2 intermediate switches, is generally not used. It is better to use a push-button switching system instead.

In principle, the staircase lighting should be controlled separately from the hallway or entrance area lighting. However, a simple on/off switch in the hallway or entrance area is usually not satisfactory. When selecting fittings, this often leads to an additional cost for at least a two-way or intermediate switching system.

RotorMotor schrieb:

There are 4 switches because: 1x downstairs wall light, 1x downstairs ceiling light, 1x upstairs wall light, 1x upstairs ceiling light

That makes sense, but the specifications do not mention a wall outlet (only a ceiling outlet).

Malle Zwabber schrieb:

A crossover switching setup with 4 switches, meaning 2 two-way switches and 2 intermediate switches, is generally not used. It’s better to use a push-button switching system directly.

That’s true, the push-button system is much simpler. It’s not entirely clear how they plan to install 4 switches for a single staircase light!

Malle Zwabber schrieb:

In general, the staircase lighting should be wired separately from the hallway or foyer lighting.

That makes sense.

RotorMotor schrieb:

I think a single-pole switch is a standard setup. I don’t understand how it would work with two switches without any two-way switches. ;-)

Malle Zwabber schrieb:

Using a single-pole switch in the hallway or foyer won’t be very convenient. During the build specification phase, you’ll likely pay extra for at least a two-way or crossover switch setup.

Yes, we need a two-way or crossover switching system. They mention 2 (and in some cases 3) switches. Maybe it’s just a general term, since they only control one ceiling outlet.

Thank you very much. The situation is clearer now, and I can continue discussions with them 🙂