Connecting a Switch to an Environmental Control Unit An EveryoneCan Production Brought to you by Rebecca Kowalczyk, OTR/ Assistive Technology Consultant at CESA 10 © 2008 Cooperative Educational Service Agency 10

Environmental Control Unit There are many different environmental control boxes. Some are very specific on what they control. All can be operated with a switch. Different models are able to be used with students with basic switch skills while other models require advanced switch use. The following slides demonstrate connecting a switch to an Electrical Control Unit.

Electrical Control Unit

Insert switch jack into port on electrical control unit as seen below.

Next select the desired mode of operation. The button indicated below is how you select a mode with the white line showing which mode the unit is in. The different modes are Timed (seconds), Direct, Latch, and Timed (minutes). The different modes will be explained in the following slides.

Notice in the picture below the white line of the “Select a Mode” button is pointing at Timed (seconds). The Timed (seconds) mode allows the electrical appliance that is plugged into the unit to operate for the set time between 1-60 seconds before turning off. Setting the time is addressed in a later slide.

Notice in the picture below the white line of the “Select a Mode” button is pointing at Direct. The Direct mode allows the electrical appliance that is plugged into the unit to operate only when the switch is being activated.

Notice in the picture below the white line of the “Select a Mode” button is pointing at Latch. The Latch mode allows the electrical appliance that is plugged into the unit to turn on with one activation of the switch and then turn off with the following activation of the switch.

Notice in the picture below the white line of the “Select a Mode” button is pointing at Timed (minutes). The Timed (minutes) mode allows the electrical appliance that is plugged into the unit to operate for the set time between 1-60 minutes before turning it off. Setting the time is addressed in the next slide.

To set the desired amount of time use the “Set the Time” button indicated below. Move the white line to point at desired length of time ranging from Remember it will either be in seconds or minutes depending on which time mode is selected.

Plug in the electrical appliance that you would like to operate off of a switch. You can operate up to two separate electrical appliances simultaneously. They can not be used separately when connected to the same electrical control unit.

Plug the electrical control unit into a wall outlet.

You have successfully connected a switch to an Electrical Environmental Control Unit. Turn the appliance on (nothing should happen). The appliance is now controlled by a switch.

For additional information please contact Rebecca Kowalczyk, OTR/Assistive Technology Consultant at A special thank you to Jake Elhert, Jan Adams, and Val Knobloch for their help and guidance. ROYALTY FREE MUSIC provided by Soundzabound