How To Wire Smart Glass

Smart glass and film go from clear to frosted when powered on and off. This is accomplished by applying electrical current to the switchable PDLC layer, making smart glass an electrical product.

It’s no surprise that one of the most common questions we get asked is how to wire smart glass and film and how to hide the electrical components. In this post, we will discuss the different ways smart glass can be discreetly wired to work on virtually any glass surface from sliding doors to multi-panel glass walls.

The Electrical Components Of Smart Glass and Film

All of our switchable glass products come pre-wired with instructions for easy installation. Each piece of smart glass and film will have busbars located along one edge with wires coming out of them as shown in the image below. These wires are then connected to a transformer and then connected to a power supply.

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Each order of smart glass and film is customized to the unique needs of each project. You can choose which side you want the busbar located along (the long side or the short side) to ensure the shortest route possible to the power supply where the privacy glass is being installed. The position of the busbars should be confirmed when you are finalizing your order.

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WATCH OUR VIDEO ‘HOW TO WIRE SMART GLASS AND FILM’

TO SEE SMART GLASS WIRING IN ACTION

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Ways To Control Smart Glass

Before we dive into the details of wiring smart glass, it is worth discussing the many different ways privacy glass and film can be controlled. Why? In most cases the way you want to control smart glass dictates how it needs to be wired.

While the most rudimentary way to wire smart glass is to connect the wires to the transformer, plug the transformer into the power supply and use the remote included in the shipment, many people would prefer to control their smart glass via a wall switch, just like a light, or another method.

Switchable glass and film can be controlled via a:

• Wall Switch
• Remote Control
• Smartphone
• Voice Command (Siri or Alexa)
• Button
• Home Automation System
• Timer
  

Explore these options and decide how you want to control your smart glass before finalizing your wiring plan.

Smart Glass Wiring For Windows

Privacy glass and film can be installed on both operable and stationary windows. In the case of smart glass, the wires can usually be hidden within the window frame. With smart film, this may not be possible as it is applied to the surface of existing glass that cannot always be removed from the frame (for example a window in a condominium). In this case, the wires and busbar can be hidden with a thin PVC strip.

Here is an example of how smart glass is wired on a window that opens and closes:

Wiring Multiple Panels Of Smart Glass Together

Multiple panels of smart glass or film can be wired together and controlled in unison or separately. Remember to discuss how much switchable glass or film you wish to control with a single transformer when ordering as it may change the type or quantity of transformers that you need.

Wiring Smart Glass On Doors

Each connection design is based on your specific door hardware. For example, wiring smart glass on a sliding door is different from wiring smart glass on a swing door. In any case, you can rest assured that our smart glass and film wires will not get worn out by opening and closing doors. Our special wires have metal and silicon jacks that can be bent over one million times, plus they look stylish.

There are multiple options for wiring switchable glass and film on doors:

Mini Power Loop:

Our mini power loop is just one quarter of an inch thick and can be used to connect operable glass doors and windows by mounting it on top of the glass inside of the frame.

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Magnetic Connectors:

‍Smart sliding doors can be wired with magnetic connectors so the glass can be switched on and off when the door is closed. When the door reaches a certain point, the magnets connect to contact electric current and transfer power from the frame to the door.

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Power Transfer Hinges:

‍These hinges allow you to run wires from the frame to the door. Though we must note that they are quite expensive, running at about $400 a piece, though you may be able to find lower price options.

Smart glass and film are a popular choice for sliding doors because other window treatments simply don’t work on them.  We have lots of innovative ways to wire our products on sliding doors.

At Smart Glass Country, we offer wiring as an add-on for existing hardware and premium sliding doors where the wiring is hidden and travels along the track inside of a specially designed frame. These sliding doors can also be combined with side lights on one or both sides and double doors.

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Wiring Smart Glass and Film In Bathrooms

Smart glass and film can be used in moisture prone areas so long as the edges are sealed with a non-acid silicone gel. For bathrooms, we recommend using our smart glass product as the switchable PDLC layer is protected from water by the glass. All electrical components need to be sealed and protected from contact with moisture.

Can I Wire Smart Glass Myself?

Smart glass should be wired by a qualified electrician. So unless you happen to be one, we don’t recommend wiring the glass or film by yourself.

Smart Glass is an amazingly versatile product and our innovative wiring solutions make it easy to install smart glass and enjoy your privacy on demand. Have a question about how smart glass can be wired for your project? Contact us today to see how smart glass will work for you.