The answer in two lines
A curtain or roller shutter switch is not a light switch: it gives the motor an up, stop or down command, and the two directions must never be on together. The motor stops by itself at the open and closed limits it was set to (limit switches). Choose a switch matched to the motor type and rated for the motor's rating (the number on its label), and have it fitted by a qualified electrician or engineer.
Fitting an electric curtain or roller shutter in your apartment and wondering how the switch is wired, or whether an ordinary switch will do? This guide from Tawredaat (توريدات), a store for electrical and finishing materials in Cairo and Giza (FAQ here), explains how it works, the types, how to choose and what to leave to an electrician.
How does a curtain or roller shutter switch work?
A wired tubular motor moves in two directions. A standard 4-wire motor has a ground wire, a common wire and two switched wires for direction (one up, one down), per AV Outlet's description of Somfy motors. The switch chooses which direction gets power. It does not measure distance: the limit switches set in the motor itself stop the shutter, per the Nice ERA STAR A motor instructions.
Up / Stop / Down
- ✔ Up: the motor runs one way and stops at the upper limit.
- ✔ Stop: halts movement anywhere along the travel.
- ✔ Down: the opposite direction, to the lower limit.
A "3-click" switch uses this up/stop/down idea. Button layout differs between brands, so follow your chosen brand.
Why not an ordinary light switch?
The motor has a separate wire for each direction, so powering both together may damage it. The Nice ERA STAR A instructions advise a switch with interlocked buttons (momentary or maintained), or a hold-to-run control. Niko also lists roll-down shutter switches named "mechanically locked and electrically separated"; its page does not explain the name further.
So the safety is in a switch that does not allow both directions together. A light switch was not designed for that, so use a switch made for curtains or roller shutters.
What types of curtain and roller shutter switches are there?
| Type | Idea | Best for | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Interlocked buttons (up / stop / down) | The two direction buttons lock each other out, with a stop position | Wired motor in an apartment | Nice and Niko describe this idea under different names |
| Momentary | Motor runs only while you press | Hold-to-run control | Needs continuous pressing, per Hunter Douglas |
| Maintained | Press once and the shutter runs on to the limit | Everyday convenience | Keeps moving to the limit, per Hunter Douglas |
| Smart control or remote | A controller sends commands wirelessly or from an app | Scheduling or remote control | Check the device sheet; some systems are made for shutters |
How do you choose the right switch?
- ✔ Motor type: pick a switch that suits the motor type and read the motor sheet (number of wires, control method).
- ✔ Switch rating vs motor rating: the switch's rating must cover the number on the motor label (power or current). Numbers differ by model: Legrand's sheet for its connected Arteor shutter switch lists 240 V and a maximum of 1 x 500 VA, and the Niko mechanism cited reaches 10 AX/250 Vac. Do not assume yours is the same; read the number on your product.
- ✔ Switch series: choose from the series you already have so it fits the same frame and look. See our switches and sockets buying guide.
- ✔ Number of motors: one motor per switch, because Hunter Douglas says two or more motors cannot be wired to one SP/DT switch for its listed motors. For more than one motor, check the maker's sheet.
- ✔ Remote: for central control or scheduling, ask your electrician about a controller suited to the motor type.
How is it fitted in an apartment?
This is general information. The actual installation must be done by a qualified electrician or engineer following the motor and switch sheets, because wiring order differs between brands and we give no wiring order for the store products, as we found no published sheet for it.
- ✔ The four wires: ground, common and two direction wires (AV Outlet). Do not rely on wire colour alone; read the motor sheet.
- ✔ Cable: Legrand's sheet for its connected switch lists 1 x 2.5 mm2 and 2 x 1.5 mm2 cable (neutral blue, earth green/yellow); that applies to its own model. Standard sizes in Egypt are 1.5, 2.5, 4, 6 and 10 mm2, and the actual size depends on the motor and the run, confirmed by the electrician.
- ✔ Isolate: switch off the dedicated breaker before any wiring work.
- ✔ Limits: the open and closed limits are set in the motor itself (Nice, AV Outlet).
- ✔ Earth: connect the earth wire (green/yellow) as the motor sheet shows.
Common mistakes
- ⚠ Using an ordinary light switch: it is not designed to lock out both directions.
- ⚠ Powering both directions together: may damage the motor; use an interlocked switch.
- ⚠ A switch rated below the motor: check the numbers before buying.
- ⚠ Two motors on one switch without the maker's approval: Hunter Douglas prohibits it for its listed motors.
- ⚠ Relying on wire colour: colours differ between brands.
- ⚠ Fitting without a qualified electrician: leave the final wiring to a qualified electrician or engineer.
Curtain and roller shutter switches available at Tawredaat
These are available on the site now (specs quoted are only those on the product page):
- Legrand Arteor curtain switch, 1 module, white, 572202 (Legrand, Arteor series) — tawredaat.com/products/curtain-switch-arteor-1-module-white-legrand-572202
- Avena Star shutter control switch, model BT3012 (fire-resistant thermoplastic body, fits standard wall boxes) — tawredaat.com/products/shutter-control-switch-avena-star-bt3012
- Nuovo 3-click curtain switch, white, 10A, 22 mm, NUV 80 528 — tawredaat.com/products/curtain-switch-with-3-clicks-white-10-a-22-mm-nuovo-nuv-80-528
See also the switches and sockets collection (tawredaat.com/collections/switches-sockets).
Frequently asked questions
How does a curtain or roller shutter switch work?
It gives the motor an up, stop or down command; the motor stops at the limits it was set to (Nice).
Can I use an ordinary light switch?
Better not. Use a switch made for curtains or roller shutters with interlocked buttons (Nice) so both directions never run together.
What does 3-click mean?
Up, stop and down. Button layout differs by brand; check the product page.
How do I know the switch suits the motor?
Read the number on the motor and compare it with the number on the switch, and make sure both suit the same motor type (for example wired 4-wire).
Can two motors share one switch?
Not for the motors Hunter Douglas lists. Follow the maker's sheet.
Which wire size?
Standard sizes are 1.5, 2.5, 4, 6 and 10 mm2. Legrand's sheet for its connected switch lists 1 x 2.5 mm2 and 2 x 1.5 mm2 for that model; your electrician confirms the size for your case.
Can I fit it myself?
Final installation should be done by a qualified electrician or engineer.
Do you deliver?
Tawredaat delivers in Cairo and Giza only.
Ready to choose your curtain switch?
See switches and sockets at Tawredaat, with delivery in Cairo and Giza.
Switches and sockets at Tawredaat Switches and sockets buying guide
About Tawredaat: Tawredaat (توريدات) is an Egyptian supplier of electrical and finishing materials, serving homeowners, companies and contractors in Cairo and Giza. Questions? See our FAQ.
English summary: A curtain or roller shutter switch gives the motor an up, stop or down command; the motor's own limit switches stop it at the ends. Use a switch made for it, ideally with interlocked buttons so both directions are never on together, matched to the motor type, and check the switch rating against the motor rating. Final installation should be done by a qualified electrician or engineer.
Sources
- Legrand, datasheet LE11041AB (the connected Arteor with Netatmo shutter switch, not the store's product: 240 VAC, maximum 1 x 500 VA, cable 1 x 2.5 mm2 and 2 x 1.5 mm2, neutral blue, earth green/yellow, for motors driven by a standard wired shutter switch) — assets.legrand.com/pim/NP-FT-GT/LE11041AB.pdf
- Nice, ERA STAR A tubular motor instructions (the motor is connected to the mains and to a wall switch; it advises a switch with interlocked buttons, momentary or maintained, or a hold-to-run control; limit switches define the end positions and the shutter stops against the travel limit) — voleda.fr/notice/Notice-voleda-Nice-ERA-STAR-A.pdf
- AV Outlet, Somfy motorized roller shades overview (a standard wired 4-wire motor has a ground wire, a common wire and two switched wires for direction; the limits are set with two push buttons; it is commanded with a single pole double throw wired wall switch; this is a US 120 V product line, cited only for the wire roles) — avoutlet.com/roller-shade-info/motorized-roller-shades-overview/
- Hunter Douglas Architectural, Automation 2022: single motor to single switch control (for its listed motors, two or more motors cannot be wired to one SP/DT switch; shades stop at the upper and lower limits; a momentary switch needs continuous pressing, a maintained switch keeps the shade moving to the limit) — assets.hunterdouglasarchitectural.com/documents/HDA_Automation_2022_SINGLE_MOTOR_TO_SINGLE_SWITCH_CONTROL.pdf
- Niko, roll-down shutter switch, electrically separated, Niko toggle (used for controlling the motors of roll-down shutters, garage doors, venetian blinds and awnings; mechanism rated 10 AX/250 Vac) — niko.eu/en/products/switching-material-and-socket-outlets/switches-and-sockets/roll-down-shutter-switch-electrically-separated-niko-toggle-productmodel-niko-d4080098-a321-55db-928a-e6095f912669
- Niko, splashproof roll-down shutter switch, mechanically locked and electrically separated (Niko lists such a switch under this name; the page gives no further definition) — products.niko.eu/en/article/-fb3ad504
- Tawredaat product listings (brand, model, white finish, 10A and 22 mm for the Nuovo NUV 80 528, fire-resistant thermoplastic body for the Avena Star BT3012 are taken only from the listings on tawredaat.com; the listings do not give terminal logic, interlock or motor rating) — tawredaat.com/collections/switches-sockets
