Short answer: Pick a Somfy wired wall switch by the motor it drives. A Somfy 4-wire 120V motor takes a Somfy maintained rocker, toggle or paddle switch, one switch per motor, because Somfy forbids parallel wiring. A wired DC motor takes the DC Decorator Paddle Switch. Rolling shutters that need restricted access take a key switch, and groups run through an IGC motor controller.
A wired switch is the oldest way to run a Somfy motor, and still the cheapest control per window. It needs no battery and no app. It does need the right switch. Somfy builds its wired wall controls for specific motor types, and a household light switch is not on that list.
Match the switch to the motor first
Somfy motors take commands in four different ways, and only some of them accept a plain wall switch. Read the motor label or the part number before you order anything. Our guide to Somfy hardwired motors explains the power classes in detail.
| Motor type | How it takes direction | Wall control that fits |
| 120V AC, 4-wire standard | Two hot legs, one per direction | Somfy maintained or momentary AC switch, or an IGC controller |
| 120V AC, 3-wire RTS | Built-in 433.420 MHz radio on constant power | RTS remote or RTS wireless wall switch, no wired switch |
| Wired DC motor (no radio) | Low voltage direction leads | Somfy DC Decorator Paddle Switch |
| DCT dry contact motor | Contact closures on a control cable | Somfy dry contact switch station |
The 4-wire motor is the classic switched motor. The Somfy Sonesse 506S2 Standard 120V 4-Wire Motor (1001814) is a good example: 6 Nm at 32 rpm, no radio, mechanical limits. Somfy codes its leads white for neutral, red for direction 1, black for direction 2 and green for ground. Energize red and the shade travels one way. Energize black and it reverses. If up and down come out backward, Somfy's instruction is to swap the red and black leads at the motor.
Dry contact motors are a separate case with their own switch. Our Somfy dry contact switch wiring guide covers that family.
Maintained or momentary switch action
Somfy wired switches come in two behaviors. Somfy's electronic control catalog defines them this way.
- Maintained: press it once and let go. The switch holds its position, and the motor travels until it reaches its limit in that direction. It feels like a light switch.
- Momentary: the motor runs only while you hold the switch, or until it reaches its limit. Release it and the motor stops.
Maintained switches suit interior shades and everyday rooms. One tap sends the shade all the way up. Momentary action suits rolling shutters and security closures, where someone should watch the product move. The Simu key switch below uses momentary action for that reason.
Rocker, toggle and paddle switches for 4-wire 120V motors
Somfy sells its AC switches in familiar faceplate styles, so the control matches the light switches in the room. Each one mounts in a standard single-gang electrical box and runs on 120V, 60Hz.
The Somfy Maintained Rocker Switch Kit with Standard Plate, White (1800342) is the everyday pick. Somfy describes it as single channel, individual control for indoor use, with a standard plate in the kit. One rocker drives one motor.
For a traditional room, the Somfy Maintained Toggle Switch, Single Pole, Ivory (1800380) gives a classic toggle lever. Somfy lists it for its AC motor range, single channel, in a single-gang box.
Several shades at one door need several switches, one per motor. Somfy's gang plates keep them in a tidy row. The Somfy Rocker Switch Plate Kit, 3 Gang, White (2005668) dresses three rocker switches into one assembly, and a 2 gang version covers a pair.
Somfy states two wiring rules for these motors, and both matter at the switch box:
- Do not wire two or more motors to one single pole switch. Somfy's 500 Series Databook prints "Do not parallel wire," and its catalog explains that the motor capacitor feeds current back through a shared switch.
- Do not run one motor from several switches without a Somfy control device between them, such as an IGC.
Somfy's installation instructions add a third point: do not use a standard light switch as a motor control. Somfy specifies a single pole or double pole, double throw, center off switch for its motors.
DC Decorator Paddle Switch for wired low voltage motors
Wired DC motors with no radio need a switch built for DC. The Somfy DC Decorator Paddle Switch, Maintained, White (9012074) is a single pole, double throw switch with center off. Somfy lists it for interior window treatments driven by DC motors, in a standard single-gang box.
Its action is maintained. Press up or down and the paddle holds position until pressed again. Our comparison of Somfy low voltage motors shows which 24V DC models carry a radio and which take a wired command. Check the motor's wiring diagram in the Somfy spec library before you connect a DC switch.
Key switches for rolling shutters and secured openings
A key switch moves the motor only when someone inserts and turns the key. Storefronts and hurricane shutters use them so a passerby cannot open the curtain.
The Somfy Simu Momentary Surface Mount Key Switch (2001548) mounts on the wall surface and carries an IP 54 rating, which lets it sit outside beside the shutter. Somfy lists it for rolling shutters, with momentary action. The Somfy Universal Key Switch (2004964) serves the same job on wired rolling shutter and security installations that call for restricted access.
Push-button stations and the IGC for groups
Group control is where a plain switch stops. Somfy's catalog says 4-wire motors cannot share a switch the way light fixtures can. The fix is a Somfy controller that isolates each motor.
The Somfy IGC 4-in-1 Motor Control (1811416) powers and drives up to four Somfy Wired Technology motors on 120V, 60Hz. It runs them one at a time or as a group, and stores three intermediate positions per motor, set at 25, 50 and 75 percent from the factory. Several units daisy-chain for synchronized control from one keypad. Somfy rates it IP 20 and UL approved, which places it indoors.
Somfy's Decorator IGC switch line gives those controls a wall station. The Somfy Single Push-Button Switch Station, White (1810571) carries Up, Stop and Down buttons and a 6-pin modular connector, and Somfy builds it for its IGC and IGC/3N1 controls. The dual station with screw terminals (1800407) adds wired synchronization for one or two DCT motors. Neither one wires straight to a 4-wire motor.
Prices and a quick way to choose
| Wall control | Action | Best fit | Our price |
| Maintained Rocker Switch Kit (1800342) | Maintained | One 4-wire 120V motor, rocker style | $26.95 |
| Maintained Toggle Switch, Ivory (1800380) | Maintained | One 4-wire 120V motor, toggle style | $24.95 |
| Rocker Switch Plate Kit, 3 Gang (2005668) | Plate only | Three rocker switches side by side | $30.95 |
| DC Decorator Paddle Switch (9012074) | Maintained | Wired DC motor, interior | $48.95 |
| Simu Surface Mount Key Switch (2001548) | Momentary | Rolling shutter, exterior wall | $86.43 |
| Universal Key Switch (2004964) | Keyed | Security closures | $145.95 |
| Single Push-Button Station (1810571) | Up, Stop, Down | Somfy IGC and IGC/3N1 controls | $56.95 |
| IGC 4-in-1 Motor Control (1811416) | Controller | Up to four WT motors as a group | $446.30 |
Prices are our November 2026 list prices. Count motors first, then pick the faceplate. One motor gets one switch. Two or more motors that move together get an IGC.
Adding a remote to a switched motor
A wired switch and a remote can share one motor. The Somfy Universal RTS Receiver for 110V AC Motors (1810627) gives a standard Somfy motor RTS capability, so Situo and Telis remotes or an Eolis wind sensor can drive it. Somfy rates it IP 66 on a 108 to 132V supply. Browse every Somfy wall switch and keypad we stock, wired and wireless, to finish the room.
Frequently asked questions
Can I use a regular light switch on a Somfy motor?
No. Somfy's installation instructions say not to use a standard light switch as a motor control. Somfy specifies a double throw, center off switch for its motors, with one position per direction and off between them. Use a Somfy maintained rocker, toggle or paddle switch, such as the 1800342 rocker kit or the 1800380 toggle.
Can two Somfy motors share one wall switch?
Not on a single pole switch. Somfy's databook prints "Do not parallel wire" for its 4-conductor 120V motors, because the motor capacitor feeds current back through a shared switch. Give each motor its own switch, or run up to four Somfy Wired Technology motors as a group from the IGC 4-in-1 Motor Control (1811416).
Should I buy a maintained or a momentary switch?
A maintained switch suits most interior shades. Press it once and the motor runs to its limit. A momentary switch runs the motor only while someone holds it, which suits rolling shutters and security closures where the operator should watch the opening. Key switches such as the Simu 2001548 use momentary action.
Does a Somfy RTS motor need a wired wall switch?
No. A 120V RTS motor runs on constant power and takes direction from its built-in 433.420 MHz radio. Control it with an RTS remote or a battery-powered RTS wall switch such as DecoFlex WireFree. Wired switches belong on 4-wire motors with no radio, on wired DC motors, or on a Somfy IGC controller.
Sources: Somfy Systems product pages for 1800342, 1800380, 1800375, 9012074, 2001548, 1810571, 1800407 and 1811416 (somfysystems.com); Somfy Systems Electronic Control Catalog (switch action and parallel wiring notes); Somfy LS40, LT50/60 installation instructions (switch and wiring warnings); Somfy 500 Series Databook (2022.05.16), Sonesse 50 4-wire wiring rows.
Shade Motors Direct is an authorized source for genuine Somfy motorized window shade, blind, and drapery parts.
