A closet door switch turns a supply or clean linen room’s light on when the door opens and off when it closes, with no wall switch required to operate it. In hospitals and clinics, staff often enter these rooms pushing carts or carrying stock, so the light should be able to come on without a free hand. The arrangement pairs a magnetic door switch on the door and frame with a closet light controller relay that switches the lighting circuit. In buildings where the space above the ceiling is used as a return air plenum, the controller’s plenum rating determines whether it can be mounted there.
Functional Devices, Inc. manufactures closet light controllers for retrofit and new construction applications, along with magnetic door switches. This guide covers how a controller is selected for new and existing rooms, mounting above the ceiling, the time-delay models for doors held open during restocking, and door switch selection.
How a Closet Door Switch Controls a Room Light
A magnetic door switch has a magnet on the door and a switch on the frame. When the door opens, the switch changes state, and the controller reads that change at its dry contact input. The controller’s relay contact, wired into the switched leg of the room light, closes and turns the light on. When the door closes, the contact opens and the light turns off.
The door switch input is Class 2 and the relay contact is line voltage, with the two circuits separated in the controller. The door switch only signals the controller and does not carry the lighting load; the ACLCMAGSM door switch, for example, is rated 30 Vac/dc at 0.2 A. Functional Devices notes that light 18 AWG wire can be run from the door switch to the controller in place of armored cable, though any size may be used. A full explanation of the controller and door switch pairing is in our hotel guest room guide.
Closet Light Controllers for New and Existing Supply Rooms
- For new construction and full renovations, the CLC212 is a 10 A SPST-N/O relay powered from 120–277 Vac with a separated Class 2 dry contact input. One model covers both 120 Vac and 277 Vac lighting circuits. The door switch is purchased separately.
- For adding door-activated control to an existing room light, the CLC106 is a 5 A SPST-N/O relay powered from 120 Vac. It mounts to the light’s octagonal junction box through a 1/2” knockout and wires into the existing supply, neutral, and switched leg. It includes a surface-mount magnetic door switch with 6’ leads. The relay is rated 5 A at 120 Vac for resistive, electronic ballast, magnetic ballast, and tungsten loads.
The CLC106 is the right device when the room is on a 120 Vac lighting circuit, and the fixture and junction box are already in place. When the lighting circuit is 277 Vac, the CLC212 or one of its time-delay models can be used instead.
Mounting Closet Light Controllers Above the Ceiling
In many hospitals and clinics, the space above a suspended ceiling is used for return air. The National Electrical Code (NEC) governs electrical equipment in these spaces under NEC 300.22(C).
The housings of the CLC106 and CLC212-D15 are UL Accepted for Use in Plenum and rated NEMA 1, per their current Functional Devices datasheets. The controller can be mounted above the ceiling near the fixture, with only the Class 2 door switch wiring run down to the door frame.
Time-Delay Models for Doors Held Open
Supply room doors are often held open while a cart is unloaded or shelves are restocked. A door-activated light stays on for as long as the door is open, so a door left open after restocking keeps the light on in an empty room. The time-delay models turn the light off on their own:
- The CLC212-D15 turns the light off 15 minutes after the door opens if the door stays open. It is a 10 A SPST-N/O relay powered from 120–277 Vac with a separated Class 2 dry contact input.
- The CLC212-D60 provides the same function with a 60-minute delay.
When the light needs to stay on for a longer period of time, such as during an extended restock, the delay can be bypassed at the door: on both models, opening, closing, and reopening the door within three seconds keeps the light on indefinitely.
Selecting and Wiring the Door Switch
Functional Devices offers two Form C (SPDT) magnetic door switches for its closet light controllers:
- The ACLCMAGSM is a surface-mount switch, with an operating gap of 0 to 1.125”.
- The ACLCMAGDJ is a recessed-mount switch, installed in the door and frame.
The CLC212 and the time-delay models read the door switch in opposite directions. The CLC212 energizes its relay when the input closes and uses the door switch’s N/C terminal; the CLC212-D15 and CLC212-D60 energize when the input opens and use the N/O terminal. A Form C switch has both contacts, so the correct one is selected at installation regardless of which controller is used.
Linen and supply rooms with double doors take one door switch per door. Series and parallel wiring determine whether one open door or both open doors turn the light on, and the result is reversed between the CLC212 and the time-delay models. Functional Devices’ dual-door selection guide shows each configuration.
Frequently Asked Questions About Closet Door Switches in Healthcare Facilities
Can a closet light controller be mounted above a plenum ceiling?
The CLC106 and CLC212-D15 housings are UL Accepted for Use in Plenum, per their current datasheets.
What happens if the supply room door is left open?
On the CLC212, the light stays on until the door closes. The CLC212-D15 and CLC212-D60 turn the light off 15 or 60 minutes after the door opens if it stays open.
How is the light kept on during a long restock?
On the CLC212-D15 and CLC212-D60, opening, closing, and reopening the door within three seconds keeps the light on indefinitely, bypassing the delay.
Can a door switch be added to an existing supply room light?
Yes, on a 120 Vac lighting circuit. The CLC106 mounts to the existing fixture’s junction box, wires into the existing supply and switched leg, and includes a surface-mount door switch.
Sourcing Closet Light Controllers for Healthcare Projects
To source closet light controllers and door switches for a healthcare project, find an authorized Functional Devices distributor near you or browse the closet light controller lineup.