The Replacement for Discontinued Remcon Switches & Relays? Touch-Plate Switches & Powered Relay Packs*. Have a Pyramid or Remcon low voltage lighting system installed in your older home from the 1950's & 1960's? Find replacement Remcon low voltage relay and switch options that are compatible with your remote control wiring installation. If you need to replace Remcon low voltage switches or relays, please see some options below or buy Touch Plate switches in other colors. See important notes below. See the Remcon Troubleshooting Guide for help determining what needs replacing.
A Brief Low Voltage Tutorial: Low voltage systems used 24V relays to switch the power from on to off/off to on and were typically either a 3-wire or 2-wire system (for the unlighted switches). Systems had thinner-gauge wiring in the walls compared to line voltage systems. 3-wire systems had momentary switches that rocked ON/OFF or had pairs of ON/OFF buttons that both snapped back to the center or starting position (they did not hold the pushed position). 2-wire systems worked by pushing the same button ON/OFF. Remcon relays were unusual in that they also contained the step-down transformers/power supplies that reduced the current to 24 volts. These Remcon relays were usually placed in or near the ceiling box for the light fixture. (Other low voltage systems often had a central panel holding all the relays plus a separate power supply transformer.) For this reason, if your Remcon relays are non-functional, you will need replacement units that contain both a relay and a step-down transformer/power supply. (See Section #2 below.)
Just replacing switches to use with your functional Remcon relays? Simply double the number of buttons on your switches (wired as ON/OFF pairs) to easily and safely use Touch Plate switches with your current Remcon relays. Simply wiring instructions included. Our customers have been successfully using these Touch Plate replacement switches for years to update and refresh the look of their systems.
Shop for Remcon Low Voltage Light Switch Replacement Parts by Touch-Plate
Touch Plate is the only replacement option for your outdated Remcon low voltage switches.
NOTE: For every 1 Remcon switch you previously had, you will now have 2 Touch Plate buttons (an "on" and an "off"). This is true if adding Touch Plate switches to a system with Remcon brand relays in place.
You'll be updating your 3-wire Remcon system with 2-wire Touch Plate switches - add this free wire conversion guide to your cart when placing your order.
Replacements for 1 Remcon Light Switch:
Touch Plate Ultra, 5000 or Mystique series with 2 buttons.
The only difference is the look - choose the style you like best.
Replacements for 2 Remcon Low Volt Switches:
Touch Plate units with 4 buttons: Ultra, Classic & Mystique.
Replacements for 3 Remcon Low Volt Switches:
Two 6-button options includes the Ultra and the Classic series.
Replacements for 4 Remcons:
You will need a Mystique with 8 buttons in place of 4 switches.
To Replace a 9 Switch Remcon Master Control Panel:
The old Remcon MCS-9 panel has 8 switches plus a 9th in the center that acted as a master control. The master control switch functionality was unique to the construction of the units; the master functionality will be lost when changing to new switches.
You'll either have to patch the wall to replace all 8 regular switches with 16 new ones (using the 3-gang 18-button Classic line), or choose four 4-button Ultra switches plus a 4-gang decorator plate.
Note that the Classic Touch-Plate panel fits a 3-gang box, but the 9-button master panel fit a 4-gang box so some adjustment may be necessary, as the replacement won't fully cover the hole in your wall. The 8 switch buttons will transfer over to 16 new on/off buttons, but the center master switch functionality will not.
Ultra Series Switches in 4-Gang Plate
To create a new 8-switch panel, get four 4-button ultra series units and a screwless 4-gang or standard 4-gang cover plate.
Note that the Ultra switches can be purchased without a cover plate, and you can pair it with a single decora cover plate available in 17 finishes. This gives more flexibility to your finished look.
When converting from Remcon's 3-wire to Touch Plate's 2-wire switches, be sure to order our conversion wiring guide for installation help.
You will combine the old white Remcon switch wires in a single wire nut with a pigtail wire. Note that when combining switches like this, any Remcon relays must be the same type (mechanical vs. solid state) and connected to the same circuit/phase. You cannot mix relays types because of the the difference in the control current. As always recommended, consult an electrician regarding wiring projects.)
The pigtail wire attached to the wire nut will be wired to the SC Switch Common terminal on the back of the Touch Plate Unit.
Save time and money! To ensure that you buy the correct parts and only those you really need, we recommend reading through our Remcon Low Voltage Troubleshooting Guide first to identify what is not working.
First, locate your relay, and verify the brand.
You'll find Remcon relays in the ceiling near the light fixtures.
Image shows relay mounted in ceiling.
Mechanical latching relays make a clicking noise. If they are buzzing they may be failing.
Image shows ceiling mounted relay without metal cover.
Note: Remcon relays contained the step-down transformers/power supplies that reduced the current to 24 volts. If your relays are broken, you will need replacement units that contain both a relay and a step-down transformer/power supply. We recommend using Touch Plate powered relay packs. These create mini standalone 2-wire low voltage systems.
As a temporary workaround, you may be able to take a working relay from a less-used location to replace a broken relay, then rewire the less used location to combine it with another nearby relay (if voltage limits allow for this) so that one switch turns on two relays/light fixtures at once, for example, the foyer and hallway together.
If you need to replace a Remcon relay, update your system to Touch Plate parts per the options discussed below.
Buy new Touch Plate relay packs and switches. By upgrading your vintage relays to Touch Plate powered relay packs, you don't need to double the number of switches when swapping out your outdated Remcon switches.
Choose from any of Touch Plate's modern low voltage lighting series. For the most flexibility when selecting cover plates, shop Touch Plate Ultra switches which fit into standard rocker wall plates.
IMPORTANT: Touch Plate relays cannot be mixed with any Remcon relays (whether older mechanical latching versions or new solid state versions) in a Remcon system. They are NOT compatible and so must be on separate circuits and cannot share common wires. A Touch Plate panel upgrade can be used with the Remcon wiring in the walls when replacing all the parts - relays (with their built-in transformers) and switches. You can retain your current wiring and avoid the huge and unnecessary expense of rewiring your home. Note that installing on a separate circuit means that Touch Plate relays and power packs must not be connected to any other Remcon relays. Being on a breaker together is fine because the breaker is just providing the line voltage to everything that needs power. It’s the low voltage that they can’t share. The Touchplate nipple-mount versions are fully contained fire-retardant UL listed enclosures; the panel-mount versions must be mounted in a fully-covered box.
Pilot Light Functionality
When updating your Remcon system you may lose the pilot light functionality (indicator lights that let you know a light is on in another room) that was often available through a 9-button master panel in a primary bedroom or near main entrance doors. Touch Plate powered relay packs have the option to take advantage of their new LED pilot lighted control stations only if you have the wiring in the walls and the units are not connected to any vintage devices or shared common wires in the old system. This may require some testing of the wiring to determine if this option is available for your setup.
Remcon Relays: R-115S and RC-120S (both discontinued)
The difference between the R-115S and the R120 Remcon relay is which type of lights it controls:
The R-115S relay controls the lights throughout your home, whereas the RC-120S was used to control lighting in a closet. Closet lights controlled by closet relays allowed the lights to come on automatically a closet door was opened and then shut off the lights when the door was closed.
Remcon Low Voltage Lighting System Replacement Parts for Older Homes
Original Remcon remote control wiring systems from the 1940's, 50's, 60's and 70's featured distinctive flared ivory light switches and rounded plastic switch plates with up to four device openings. Remcon low voltage parts were originally manufactured by Pyramid Electric, and later by Amprobe Instrument. Original Remcon low voltage replacement switches and wall cover plates have been phased out of production and discontinued as of February 2011. Remcon's solid state relays were discontinued in early 2021.
If you need a direct replacement switch for your old or broken Remcon switch, you'll need to change from a 3-wire system to a 2-wire system to have one that is guaranteed compatible.
Fortunately, Touch-Plate Lighting Controls offers light switches that are compatible with older and newer Remcon relays if yours are still in good working order.
How many replacement switches do I need if I am replacing Remcon switches with Touch-Plate ones?
Because there are no replacement Remcon switches, you'll need to update with Touchplate switches. Whereas on Remcon, each direction you pushed on the old rockers - up/on or down/off - controlled the switch, but on the new Touch-plate ones each end of the old Remcon switches corresponds to one separate button on the updated switches. Because of this you must double the number of switches to create ON/Off pairs, so a single Remcon switch needs a 2-button Touch Plate replacement, a double Remcon switch needs a 4-button Touch Plate replacement, etc.
Can I use the Touch-Plate LED lighted switches to replace Remcon switches?
Probably not. If you currently have lighted switches you would have to have a 4th wire coming out of the wall in order to illuminate the Touchplate LED light switches. Please note, however, that even if you have that extra wire, the LED in this retrofit will only illuminate the ON buttons. The OFF buttons will never light up. If you don't currently have lighted switches, and want to add them, the only way you can do this is if you have extra wires at the switch location or if you upgrade to Touchplate powered relay packs at each location. Because the relay/transformers were spread throughout the home without having a central panel location, upgrading to a new single Touch Plate panel may not be an option. But if your wiring setup can be adapted to allow the installation of a new Touch Plate panel and the extra wires needed for powering the pilot lights are available, then the new panel should allow you to have LED functionality again. Touch Plate Lighting Control offers new Universal Lighting panels that work with all types of switches. Dimming panel options are also available.
If I am going to use Touch Plate switches in my Remcon system, do I need to use Touch-Plate relays, too?
Do not use regular Touch Plate #3000 relays with a Remcon system. They are not compatible and do not contain the built-in transformers found in Remcon relays. If you need to replace a broken Remcon relay, we recommend upgrading to Touch Plate relay power packs at each location such as the #TPL-ZNZ-RP-20-NM. If your Remcon brand relays are functioning, keep them in place and simply replace any broken lighting controls with Touch Plate switches (with double the number of buttons to create the ON/OFF pairs). If your Remcon relays have failed, then we recommend replacing them with Touch Plate powered relay packs. Please our section above regarding this conversion upgrade path for discontinued Remcon relays.
Why must I use 2-button Touchplate switches as replacements for Remcon switches? What is a 1-button Touch-Plate switch used for?
Remcon is a 3-wire low voltage system whereas Touchplate is 2-wire system. With some simply wiring adjustments, Touch Plate switches can be adapted for use with Remcon parts, however they are two completely independent systems, and the switches function differently. In a Touchplate system, a single button is used for both on and off functions. Push a button once to turn lights on, push it again to turn them off. (Hence why you can buy 1-button Touch Plate switches: they are designed for use in original Touch Plate systems.)
In contrast, Remcon switches are rockers so each end of a switch has a separate function - rock up for on, rock down for off. So when wiring a Touch-Plate switch for a Remcon setup, the "up/on"end of a Remcon switch must be connected to one Touch Plate switch, and the "down/off" end to another. That is why you must double the number of switches if using Touch-plate with Remcon. While Remcon switches are no longer available, Touch Plate Lighting Controls is a solid company with excellent American-made products; they are still going strong. They've had their switches tested to confirm safety and compatibility with Remcon lighting parts so you can confidently buy Touchplate replacement switches for your Remcon system. (Note: relays work differently in each system so you'll still need to keep all your Remcon relays on a separate circuit from any Touch Plate powered relay packs.)
What are the advantages of Touch Plate switches?
* Touch Plate switches have been tested to be safe and compatible with Remcon wiring systems.
* Touch Plate has size options for replacing all common Remcon configurations: 1-button, 2-button, 3-button, 4-button for single gang units plus 18-button units for replacing the master panels.
* Touch Plate switches have a contemporary look.
* Touch Plate Ultra series switches fit modern Decora wall plates giving you the option of upgrading your covers to elegant metal covers in decorative styles as well as adding in additional switches in multiple gang covers.
* Touch Plates Lighting Controls continues to be a leader in commercial and residential low voltage lighting system applications for greater energy savings, lighting control, and safety.
How are the MCS-9 master control switches wired?
To set up the master control with 8 individual switches and a 9th master switch, first connect the 3-conductor #18 wires of each switch leg securely to the 3 terminals of each of the 8 individual switches. Terminals are labeled "red", "white", and "black". The center switch may be connected to the 9th switch leg, but it won't operate without activating the other 8 relays. When mounting on wall, make sure the red wires are on top.
Description of Older Style Series of Remcon Switches & Light Switch Wall Plates
Old style ovoid Remcon switchplates were typically installed horizontally with switches rocking up and down vertically to turn lights on and off. The wall plates were clear plastic with a gold backing paper. The slightly flared switches were pinched in and narrower at the middle, then wider at the top with a small centered dot. These hourglass-shaped switches were a bone color and were impregnated with a non-harmful phosphorescent material so that they glowed in the dark for about an hour after the lights were turned off before eventually fading.
Note that the original type of Remcon mounting straps, ivory curvy rocker switches and rounded or oval wall plates are no longer in production and were eventually replaced with newer line of black Remcon snap-in switches and stainless steel cover plates (discontinued in 2011).
Description of More Recently Updated Remcon Switches and Light Switch Wall Plates
The newer, updated Remcon production line of horizontally-oriented snap-in low volt wall plates featured hole openings of .4375" H x 1.1875" W. Each opening on a three-hole plate was .906" apart center to center; on two-hole plates, they were 1.812" apart, center to center. In contrast to the older Remcon yoke mounted switches that were screwed directly into electrical boxes or wall plaster, these updated switches and coverplates did not require mounting brackets of any kind. Instead, these Remcon low voltage momentary SPST switches mounted directly into the switchplate - switches snapped into the front of a faceplate which could then be screwed directly into the electrical box, resulting in a simplified installation and eliminating the need for mounting straps. These wall plates featured box mounting screw holes that were 3.281" apart, center to center. The only downside was that the electrical wiring had to be connected after the switch had been clipped into place in the trim plate. Faceplates were offered in single vertical and double or triple horizontal hole orientations in a satin stainless steel finish. While this updated Remcon product line of black rocker switches and snap-in wall plate covers has been discontinued, Touchplate produces replacement parts that have been tested and confirmed to be fully compatible with Remcon remote control relays.
