Touch | contactless proximity switches mounted behind the mirror

Touch and touchless switches for LED mirrors – mounted behind the glass

Light up the mirror with one touch or a wave of the hand.

Switches and controllers mounted behind the mirror, so only a clean control point is visible from the front. They switch, dim and change the colour temperature (CCT) of the LED lighting, and some models also control the mirror demister heater. All switches are low-voltage (6–24 V DC) and are wired between the LED power supply and the LED strip. Below you will find a selection guide – which type to choose, how many metres of strip a switch can handle and how to avoid installation mistakes.

Touch IR – hand wave Switches on as you approach With CCT and demister How many metres of LED strip How to connect

Not sure whether to choose touch or touchless? What matters most is whether the mirror will have a clear window for the sensor and how much power the LED strip draws. Choose by situation or ask us.

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Mirror switch guide: how to choose, connect and avoid mistakes

Here you will find a quick choice by situation, the differences between touch and IR sensors, load converted into metres of LED strip, the wiring principle and the most common mistakes. Always check the exact parameters of a model in its product description.

Colour key: ■ information · ■ benefit, solution · ■ ⚠ check · ■ ⚡ safety, mistakes

Contents: What do you need? · Touch or IR · Strip length · Wiring principle · What to check · Mistakes · FAQ

What do you need? Quick choice

Find your situation and see which models suit it. Codes are given as shown in the product list.

Situation	Solution	Models
Switch the light on and off by touching the mirror	Single-button touch switch	ELSP-DJ320-1, ELSP-MZ00DG, SW-MIR-T-12-24
You need to dim as well as switch	Touch dimmer switch: short touch – on/off, hold – adjust	ELSP-DJ320-1-D-W50-4KK, ELSP-MZ00DG-D, TD012B, ES-CFX-DK1
You don't want to touch the glass – wet hands, make-up	IR proximity switch operated by a hand wave	ELSP-XM319-IR3, -IR4, -IR7
You want to change the light tone – warm for relaxing, cool for make-up	Switch or controller with CCT (colour temperature) control and a CCT LED strip	ELSP-XM319-IR1, -IR2, -IR6, ES-HYKDK-0812
The light should switch on by itself when you approach the mirror	Presence (human detection) sensor or radar motion sensor	ELSP-XM319-IR5, -IR6, ES-HYK21LD12
The mirror fogs up after a shower	Controller with demister control + heating mat behind the mirror	ES-HYKDK-0812, ES-HYK21LD12 + heating mat
Premium mirror with clock and temperature	Controller with display, touch control and radar	ES-HYK21LD12
Control both by phone and by hand	Controller with Bluetooth and IR sensor	ES-XSL-YX1
Hidden switch in furniture, wood or ceramic surface	Touch switch working through a surface up to 20 mm thick	ELSP-XD-624B (6–12 V)
Cabinet light should switch on when the door opens	IR door sensor detecting the door at up to 10 cm	ELSP-XM319-IR-Side-B – in the LED strip sensors group

Why a switch behind the mirror rather than on the wall

A mechanical switch in a bathroom needs a hole in the wall, IP protection and constant cleaning. A switch behind the glass removes all of this: the control point is in the mirror itself, and the electronics stay dry behind it.

Clean look: no buttons, frames or holes – only an icon or a lit dot is visible.
Hygiene: touchless IR models work without contact – no fingerprints, convenient with wet hands.
More functions in one point: on/off, dimming, CCT and demister – without extra switches.
Low voltage: the switch works in a 12–24 V DC circuit, while 230 V stays in the power supply.
Suits manufacturers: mirror, furniture and interior makers can fit the same control across a whole series.

Touch, IR wave or presence sensor – what is the difference

All the switches look similar but work differently. The operating principle decides whether the mirror needs a window and how the switch behaves day to day.

Touch (capacitive) switch

The sensor detects the capacitance of a finger through the glass. It reacts only to touch.

No window in the mirror's reflective coating needed
No accidental triggering
Sensitivity depends on glass thickness – check the model data
Often has a dimmer: hold your finger to adjust brightness

IR proximity switch – hand wave

The infrared sensor "sees" a hand a few centimetres away. Operated without contact.

Needs a clear window – the reflective coating is removed at that spot
Convenient with wet hands, no fingerprints
Hold your hand longer to dim (dimmer models)
Do not aim the sensor at the LED strip or reflective surfaces

Presence and radar sensors

The light switches on by itself when a person approaches the mirror and off when they leave.

Nothing to touch or wave at
Suits hotels, spas, public washrooms
Check sensitivity and detection zone in the model data
Mount in the position and direction specified by the manufacturer

✗ IR sensor behind a mirror without a window

The mirror's reflective coating blocks the infrared beam. The switch does not react or only works at very close range – it looks "broken".

✓ Clear window in front of the sensor

Where the IR sensor will sit, the mirror coating is removed (usually by the mirror manufacturer) or a frosted / clear area is left. A touch switch does not need a window.

How many metres of LED strip a switch can handle

Most switches in this group are rated 5 A, TD012B – 4 A. The same current at 24 V gives twice the power, so for longer strips a 24 V system is worth choosing if the model supports it. The table includes a 20 % margin so the switch and the power supply do not run at their limit.

Switch and voltage	Rated power	4.8 W/m strip	9.6 W/m strip	14.4 W/m strip
5 A, 12 V	60 W (use up to 48 W)	up to ~10 m*	up to ~5 m	up to ~3.3 m
5 A, 24 V (12/24 V models only)	120 W (use up to 96 W)	up to ~20 m*	up to ~10 m*	up to ~6.6 m*
4 A, 12 V (TD012B)	48 W (use up to 38 W)	up to ~8 m*	up to ~4 m	up to ~2.6 m
4 A, 24 V (TD012B)	96 W (use up to 77 W)	up to ~16 m*	up to ~8 m	up to ~5.3 m

How to calculate: strip power W/m × length m = load W. E.g. 9.6 W/m × 4 m = 38.4 W – a 5 A switch at 12 V is suitable. Size the power supply with ~20 % margin: 38.4 W × 1.2 ≈ 46 W, so choose a supply of at least 50 W. * Feed strips longer than ~5 m from both ends or in sections, otherwise the far end will be dimmer. In CCT models the current is split between two channels – unless the manufacturer states otherwise, count the combined load of both channels.

Wiring principle

The switch is always on the low-voltage side: between the LED power supply output and the LED strip. Never connect 230 V to the switch.

230 V mains

→

LED power supply 12 / 24 V DC

→

Switch behind the mirror

→

LED strip (single colour or CCT)

Input (IN): + and − from the power supply. Check polarity against the marking on the switch.
Output (OUT): to the LED strip. Usually the plus (+) is common and the minus (−) is switched; CCT models have two switched channels (warm and cool light).
Heating mat (230 V) is connected only via the controller's dedicated output or relay, if the model's diagram provides for it. Never connect it to the 12 V output.
Sensor cable from controller to sensor – use the original; do not shorten or extend it unless the manufacturer allows it.

⚠ This diagram is for guidance only and may contain inaccuracies. Before connecting, check against the manufacturer's instructions and the device markings.
The qualified electrician carrying out the installation is responsible for it. UAB „Elektrotechnikos sprendimai“ accepts no liability for connections or possible errors.

⚠ What to check before buying

KibirkštisBefore ordering a mirror switch I always check these points – otherwise you end up taking down a mirror that is already hung.

What to check	Why it matters
Voltage	The voltage of the switch, LED strip and power supply must match. Some models are 12 V only (ELSP-DJ320, ES-HYKDK-0812, ES-CFX-DK1, ES-XSL-YX1), ELSP-XD-624B is 6–12 V, the others 12/24 V.
Load	Add up the power of the whole LED strip and compare it with the switch rating of 4 A or 5 A – see the table above.
Surface and thickness	A touch switch works through glass, but sensitivity drops as the glass gets thicker. Through wood or ceramics – only the dedicated ELSP-XD-624B (up to 20 mm).
Window for IR sensor	IR and presence sensors need a clear area in the mirror. When ordering a mirror from a manufacturer, specify its position and size right away.
Strip type	Single-colour strip – simple or dimmer switch. CCT strip (3 wires) – CCT model only.
Power supply	Power ≥ load + 20 %, stabilised DC voltage, suitable IP rating and mounting location in the bathroom.
Demister heating	Our heating mats are 230 V. Check whether the controller has a dedicated output and what power it allows.

✗ Most common mistakes

Mistake	Consequence
The switch is connected to 230 V	⚡ The switch burns out instantly; risk of electric shock and fire.
A 12 V switch used in a 24 V system	The switch is damaged – check the voltage range.
IR sensor behind a mirror without a window	The switch does not react or only works at very close range.
The IR sensor "sees" the LED strip light or a reflection	The light flickers, switches on and off by itself.
Strip power exceeds the switch's 4–5 A	The switch heats up, brightness fluctuates, electronics fail early.
+ and − or IN and OUT mixed up	The switch does not work or is damaged.
Single-colour switch connected to a CCT strip	Only one tone works; colour temperature cannot be changed.
230 V heating mat connected to the 12 V output	⚡ The mat does not heat, and wrongly connected 230 V destroys the controller.

⚡ Safe installation in the bathroom – Fazė's advice

The switch and LED strip run on safety extra-low voltage, but the power supply is connected to 230 V – mount it outside bathroom zones 0 and 1 or according to its IP rating and the manufacturer's instructions.
Bathroom circuits must have 30 mA residual current protection (RCD).
Choose only safety-transformer type (SELV) LED power supplies with stabilised DC voltage.
The heating mat is a 230 V appliance: the same rules apply to its connection as to other bathroom electrical equipment.
Connection to the 230 V mains must be done by a qualified electrician.

☝ Elsprendimai.eu recommends: complete the set with LED strips and accessories, demister heating mats (230 V, for round and rectangular mirrors) and magnifying mirrors. All mirror solutions are in the mirror control category.

Frequently asked questions

Questions from Kibirkštis – a young, curious electrician who dares to ask what others don't. Answers from Fazė – an experienced engineer.

KibirkštisWill a touch switch work through my mirror?

FazėA touch (capacitive) switch works through glass and needs no window. Sensitivity depends on the glass thickness, so check thick or double glass against the model data. Before gluing the sensor, test it pressed against the same glass.

KibirkštisWhy doesn't the IR switch behind the mirror react?

FazėMost often because the mirror's reflective coating has not been removed at the sensor. The IR beam does not pass through the silver layer. You need a clear window – best ordered from the mirror manufacturer.

KibirkštisWhy does the light switch on and off by itself?

FazėThe IR sensor "sees" a reflection: LED strip light, a glossy tile or furniture opposite. Move the sensor away from the strip, shield its sides or choose a touch switch.

KibirkštisHow many metres of LED strip can I connect?

FazėAt 5 A and 12 V – up to 48 W with margin: about 5 m of 9.6 W/m strip. At 24 V – twice as much. The full table is in the load section.

KibirkštisCan one controller handle both the light and the demister?

FazėYes, if the controller has a heating function – ES-HYKDK-0812 or ES-HYK21LD12. Heating mats are 230 V, so they are connected only via the controller's dedicated output as shown in its diagram. Find the mats here.

KibirkštisCan one switch control a CCT strip?

FazėOnly a CCT model – ELSP-XM319-IR1, -IR2, -IR6 or ES-HYKDK-0812. A single-colour switch controls only one tone.

KibirkštisWe manufacture mirrors or furniture – do you supply quantities?

FazėYes. Send us the models, quantities and mirror specification – we will select switches, power supplies and heating mats and send a quotation. Contact us.

A mirror that lights up at a touch

Touch and touchless switches, CCT and demister controllers, LED strips and heating mats – all in one place. Send us the mirror dimensions and the functions you want: we will put together a compatible set. Some models are supplied to order.

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