Glass,explained.
The physics, construction and wiring behind PDLC switchable smart film — everything that happens between the switch and the glass.
The physics
of privacy
PDLC stands for Polymer Dispersed Liquid Crystal: microscopic droplets of liquid crystal suspended in a polymer matrix, coated between two transparent conductive layers.
With no voltage applied, the droplets sit at random angles and scatter light in every direction.
The film reads as milky frost — private.
Apply a voltage across the conductive layers and the crystals snap into alignment, letting light pass straight through.
The film turns water-clear — transparent.
Remove the voltage and the crystals relax back to scatter. The change runs both ways in a fraction of a second, as many times a day as you need it.
Power off · Glass private
Five layers,
one laminate
Smart film is a sealed sandwich around a tenth of a millimetre thick. Every layer has one job; together they make glass switchable.
Protective PET film
Tough outer polyester skin, both faces.
Transparent conductive coating (ITO)
Invisible electrode carrying the voltage across the full pane.
PDLC layer
The active layer — liquid-crystal droplets in a polymer matrix.
Transparent conductive coating (ITO)
Second electrode, completing the circuit.
Protective PET film
Sealing the stack into one flexible laminate.
Wiring &
control
The film runs on a low AC voltage supplied by a dedicated transformer that steps down from the mains. Slim busbars along the film edge distribute power invisibly across the pane.
Wiring is concealed in the frame or partition during installation — nothing is visible on the finished glass.
- Mains
- Transformer
- Switch
- Film busbars
Wall switch
The simplest control — the film behaves like a light circuit.
Remote control
Switch panes individually or in groups from across the room.
Timer & sensors
Schedule privacy by hour, or trigger it from occupancy.
Building automation
Dry-contact and relay integration with BMS and smart-home systems.
Power &
safety
Switchable glass is quiet infrastructure. It runs cool, sips power, and defaults to private the moment power is removed. Exact electrical figures for your glazing are confirmed in the project quote.
Low running power
The film draws only a few watts per square metre while held clear — in the region of LED lighting, not air-conditioning. At rest (private) it draws nothing.
Low-voltage operation
Panes run on a stepped-down AC supply from a dedicated transformer — not raw mains across the glass.
Sealed, insulated laminate
The conductive layers are buried inside the film stack and edge-sealed. There are no exposed live surfaces to touch.
Fail-safe privacy
Power cut? The crystals relax and the glass returns to frost. The failure state is the private state.
Safety-glass compatible
Laminated smart glass is built on toughened panes; film retrofits bond to existing safety glazing without altering it.
UV screened
The laminate blocks the bulk of ultraviolet passing through the glass, protecting interiors from fading.
Warranty
Every installation is switched, inspected and handed over working — and backed by a written product and installation warranty.
Warranty duration and coverage are stated in your quotation, in writing, before any work begins.
Support afterwards comes from the same team that installed your glass — one call, no third parties.
Technical
questions
The engineering details architects and electricians ask us first.
Only to stay clear. Holding transparency draws a few watts per square metre; in the private (frosted) state the film draws no power at all.
Yes, when installed correctly. The conductive layers are sealed inside the laminate, the film runs on a stepped-down supply, and wiring is enclosed within the frame — the same discipline as any bathroom electrical fitting.
Standard PDLC is two-state: clear or private. Dimmable control that holds intermediate haze levels is possible with compatible controllers — ask when you enquire.
PDLC film is rated for years of daily switching — the crystals don't wear out from normal use. Written warranty terms for your product are stated in the quotation.
Yes — in the frosted state the film makes an excellent rear-projection surface, which is why storefronts and boardrooms often double their glazing as displays.
In the clear state the film is highly transparent with a very slight haze compared to bare glass — barely noticeable in normal interiors. We demonstrate real samples before you commit.