We were contacted by a number of woodworkers who had been using domestic plug in remote control adaptors with their dust extractors. Inevitably over time the units burnt out, and we were challenged to find a more robust solution.
Our dust extractor remote control switch is in a different league to the other 'hobby' units which are available. Built from high quality industrial specification components, in an incredibly robust enclosure, it is designed for heavy professional use. See our guide to dust extractor remote and automatic controls for further information.
The unit is compatible with extractors which have a NVR switch.
Challenge of NVRs with Remote Controls
When an NVR is fitted to an appliance, it can only be turned on by pressing the green NVR button. If the power to the appliance is removed (intentionally turned off or power cut) then the green button must be pressed to turn it back on. The appliance can be turned off either by pressing the red NVR button, or removing power into the unit e.g. switching off at the socket.
If connected to remote control unit, when the remote turns the power off, the appliance will turn off. However, when the remote turns on, the appliance will only start once the green NVR button has been pressed; which removes any benefit of a remote.
Bypassing the NVR
Where the NVR function is no longer needed (carefully consider safety) AND the NVR has 4 terminals, the NVR can simply be bypassed using our NVR Bypass Kit. Please see the alternative plug-in unit Dust extractor remote control switch (110v, 230v, 415v options) – Tough Leads
Retaining the NVR
To retain the original tool's NVR either as it is a useful safety feature OR the NVR has 5 terminals and cannot be bypassed, this remote provides the ideal solution.
The remote control unit is hard wired to the extractor using a single cable which is installed using a 16mm cable gland into the enclosure. The cable is supplied already fitted with 6.3mm push-on terminals, to enable rapid installation without permanently altering the existing wiring. This also allows removal if the extractor is later sold.
The remote control unit works by leaving the NVR in-situ. Instead of the output from the NVR directly powering the extractor, it instead runs into the control unit, where a remote switch controls power to the wires which run back to the extractor. To wire the unit:
- Install single cable using supplied M16 cable gland.
- Pull the wire from terminal 14 and push it onto remote wire 4.
- Pull the wire from terminal 24 and push it onto remote wire 3.
- Push remote wire 1 onto terminal 24.
- Push remote wire 2 onto terminal 14.
- Connect the remote earth (green/yellow) wire to a suitable point.
The instructions are based on the wire connected to terminal 13 being blue and 23 brown. In the case of the NVR being wired in the opposite configuration with 23 being blue and 13 brown, reverse wire 1 with 2 and 3 with 4.
Operation
Pressing the on button on any of the remote controls turns the unit on, and pressing the off button on any remote turns it off (or off after the pre-set period with the time delay option). A total of 20 remote controls can be used with each unit.
Available with two operating options:
Supplied with 1 key fob (second to left). Visit the remote key fobs and switches page for additional switches. Up to 20 remotes can be paired (this requires the front cover of the unit to be removed) with each control.
Our extractor controls are the only ones on the market which use an industrial contactor instead of a relay to switch the extractor. Other units use a relay, which is a cheap, compact way of controlling resistive loads. The issue is that any power tool with a motor creates an inductive load (further explanation of load types can be found here). When the relay contacts open to turn the tool off, the stored inductive energy in the motor coil is discharged, resulting in a damaging arc across the terminals, which can eventually cause the relay to fail. We use a high quality contactor instead of a relay. Contactors work using the same principle, but they are much larger and far better suited to switching higher current inductive loads. The picture below shows the sheer size difference between a typical contactor (left) and relay (right); when it comes to switching inductive loads, contact size really does make a difference.
Specification:
- Click here for the user manual.
- Extremely robust IP66 rated enclosure, dimensions L125mm x W125mm x D100mm.
- 16mm blue indicator shows when the extractor is on.
- With the time delay unit, the delay is supplied set to 10 seconds. Any specific delay can be requested when ordering, and it can also be user adjusted by removing the front cover of the enclosure.
- Range up to 40m, using an encoded 433Mhz signal to reduce interference.
- Contactor rating:
| Unit | Resistive | Inductive |
| 230v 13A | 20A (AC-7a) | 6.4A (AC-7b) |
| 230v 16A | 40A (AC-7a) | 15A (AC-7b) |
- 1m H07RN-F 5 core rubber cable specifically manufactured for harsh environments. Find out what’s so special about this cable.
- As a safety feature, the remote unit always defaults to off when the power into it is disconnected.
- May be wall mounted.
- PAT tested.
Advantages of a remote system:
- Reduces dust, improving the workshop environment.
- Supports compliance with HSE requirements.
- Saves power by running the extractor only when needed.
- Saves time.
- Ensuring dust extraction is always powered up when a tool is in use may improve tool performance.
- Reduces noise.
- Reduces heating bills (where extractor vents outside).
