rocker switch

newby · 23rd February 2006, 12:41 PM

Hi there,

I want to install some rocker switches for my 250w light kit and fans from DIYprojectorcompany and I just wanted to know if they have to go by the voltage or amps? e.g. 10A/120vac.

Thanks

sound_prodigy · 24th February 2006, 12:33 AM

the switch *should* match your usage specs... but it is <i>possible</i> that you could safly use a 120v switch in a 220v enviroment although i wouldnt recomend it simply becasue you should use the corectly rated hardware. I would definatly stick with the same amperage though....

herm · 24th February 2006, 01:04 AM

>> I just wanted to know if they have to go by the voltage or amps? e.g. 10A/120vac.

Both!

First, your switch has to be rated for 120VAC use.

Then, it has to have a rated current larger than your load.

For a 250 watt load at 120 VAC, you expected current is
250 divided by 120 = 2.1 amps

To be safe, get a switch rated at least 4 or 5 amps.

Need some recommendations?

Look here:

http://www.allelectronics.com/cgi-bi...,_16_AMP_.html

http://www.action-electronics.com/switches.htm#Rocker

http://www.meci.com/index.php/cPath/132_335

newby · 24th February 2006, 12:00 PM

Thanks Herm. That's exactly what I wanted to know.

dnsey · 24th February 2006, 01:12 PM

Best for this application are the dual gang switches made for fan (blow) heaters. These allow the fans to be on without the heater (read lamp), but not the other way round.

newby · 24th February 2006, 01:20 PM

dnsey, are refering to a switch with 2 ONs and an OFF in the middle so if I set it to one off the ONs,the fan will runn and when I switch it to the other ON, the fans and light will work?

23rd February 2006, 12:41 PM	#1
newby diyAudio Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Ottawa	rocker switch Hi there, I want to install some rocker switches for my 250w light kit and fans from DIYprojectorcompany and I just wanted to know if they have to go by the voltage or amps? e.g. 10A/120vac. Thanks

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24th February 2006, 12:33 AM	#2
sound_prodigy diyAudio Member Join Date: Oct 2005	the switch should match your usage specs... but it is <i>possible</i> that you could safly use a 120v switch in a 220v enviroment although i wouldnt recomend it simply becasue you should use the corectly rated hardware. I would definatly stick with the same amperage though....

24th February 2006, 01:04 AM	#3
herm diyAudio Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Pasadena, CA USA	>> I just wanted to know if they have to go by the voltage or amps? e.g. 10A/120vac. Both! First, your switch has to be rated for 120VAC use. Then, it has to have a rated current larger than your load. For a 250 watt load at 120 VAC, you expected current is 250 divided by 120 = 2.1 amps To be safe, get a switch rated at least 4 or 5 amps. Need some recommendations? Look here: http://www.allelectronics.com/cgi-bi...,_16_AMP_.html http://www.action-electronics.com/switches.htm#Rocker http://www.meci.com/index.php/cPath/132_335

24th February 2006, 12:00 PM	#4
newby diyAudio Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Ottawa	Thanks Herm. That's exactly what I wanted to know.

24th February 2006, 01:12 PM	#5
dnsey diyAudio Member Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Shropshire, England	Best for this application are the dual gang switches made for fan (blow) heaters. These allow the fans to be on without the heater (read lamp), but not the other way round.

24th February 2006, 01:20 PM	#6
newby diyAudio Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Ottawa	dnsey, are refering to a switch with 2 ONs and an OFF in the middle so if I set it to one off the ONs,the fan will runn and when I switch it to the other ON, the fans and light will work?