Hi,
I would like to know which is safer to install a switch to.
Phase or Neutral?
I have an ICEpower 50ASX2 installed in a metal enclosure, and I want to use an ONO-ON switch like the one I show in the attached picture. It is rated for 3A 250AC so it should be enough.
The thing is that I don't know If I should install the switch on the phase (live) or in the neutral.
I am not an electrician, so please bare with me. I guess that If I switch the phase, being a metal switch, If this switch fails I will be touching the live wire and myself would be ground, so it's dangerous.
If I switch the neutral, there is no problem with me touching the switch, even if it breaks or fails the switch, but the amp will be receiving the live wire constantly, so any short circuit is potentially dangerous.
I am mostly interested in safety beyond anything.
Looking forward to your help!
I would like to know which is safer to install a switch to.
Phase or Neutral?
I have an ICEpower 50ASX2 installed in a metal enclosure, and I want to use an ONO-ON switch like the one I show in the attached picture. It is rated for 3A 250AC so it should be enough.
The thing is that I don't know If I should install the switch on the phase (live) or in the neutral.
I am not an electrician, so please bare with me. I guess that If I switch the phase, being a metal switch, If this switch fails I will be touching the live wire and myself would be ground, so it's dangerous.
If I switch the neutral, there is no problem with me touching the switch, even if it breaks or fails the switch, but the amp will be receiving the live wire constantly, so any short circuit is potentially dangerous.
I am mostly interested in safety beyond anything.
Looking forward to your help!
Attachments
If you are on 230V you need a double pole switch. If you are on 115V I think you might be OK with just switching the live/phase.
Either way you need a different switch though, because the inrush current from the switching power supply will fuse the switch together very quickly. You can use the one you show as a mute/standby switch if needed (by connecting the enable pin to the GND pin on the aux power supply).
Either way you need a different switch though, because the inrush current from the switching power supply will fuse the switch together very quickly. You can use the one you show as a mute/standby switch if needed (by connecting the enable pin to the GND pin on the aux power supply).
Nisbeth,
Thanks for your reply. Ok, I will use the On-On switch for enable and mute the amplifier...
The thing is that my IEC connector does not have a switch, so If I want to leave it plugged, the amp will be always energized.
I just found a 3 prong plastic switch rated for 6 amps @ 250v, so... You till recommend a double pole ?? (I assume for switching phae and neutral) Or I can get away with this?
How do you figure? I don't think I've ever seen an appliance with both live and neutral switched (in a 230v country).
Always put the main switch on live/active.
Years ago, most appliances in the UK were double pole switched, radios, washing machines etc. Now single pole switch is common (where a mains switch is fitted at all).
My mum's washer burnt out its double pole switch.
The replacement switch (from the manufacturer) was single pole.
If I'd been smart I'd have ensured the working pole was on the live side & jumped the burnt out pole & saved a fiver!
My mum's washer burnt out its double pole switch.
The replacement switch (from the manufacturer) was single pole.
If I'd been smart I'd have ensured the working pole was on the live side & jumped the burnt out pole & saved a fiver!
Dear friends. As You know, here in Europe the Plugs and Harnesses (Schuko type) don't have polarity. I mean Phase can be on the left or right pole.
In my home I Know the polarity because I've wired all harnesses with the phase on the right side, but if You switch the plug it doesn't matter on which wire You install the switch. On appliances the switch is mostly on the brown wire, but You never know if it carries the phase. If You want to be safe, switch both.
In my home I Know the polarity because I've wired all harnesses with the phase on the right side, but if You switch the plug it doesn't matter on which wire You install the switch. On appliances the switch is mostly on the brown wire, but You never know if it carries the phase. If You want to be safe, switch both.
1) You won't get a consensus on this forum, and 2) you haven't even said where you are.
You must switch live, no matter what. If you have a polarized plug that guarantees orientation, then switching neutral is not required. My preference is to not switch neutral, but you will not get a consensus on this forum.
You must switch live, no matter what. If you have a polarized plug that guarantees orientation, then switching neutral is not required. My preference is to not switch neutral, but you will not get a consensus on this forum.
In the context of the main switch for a double insulated or grounded chassis appliance, although good sense dictates switching phase is better, it really shouldn't matter if phase or neutral is switched. Both should be treated as if they were "hot" and heat shrinked etc appropriately.
Hi guys,
I have one question which may sound stupid but I am really confused and can't find an answer anywhere.
It is about the connection of ICEpower 125ASX2 to mains.
As you will see on the attached diagrams it is clearly specified which are Live and Neutral connections and actually this is what confuses me.
I live in Bulgaria and we use EU standard plugs which can be easily switched.
This basically means that I cannot guarantee that the plug will be used one way or another and I am not sure if this is safe with this board.
I will be really thankful if someone can share some experience saving me from buying a new board 🙂
I have one question which may sound stupid but I am really confused and can't find an answer anywhere.
It is about the connection of ICEpower 125ASX2 to mains.
As you will see on the attached diagrams it is clearly specified which are Live and Neutral connections and actually this is what confuses me.
I live in Bulgaria and we use EU standard plugs which can be easily switched.
This basically means that I cannot guarantee that the plug will be used one way or another and I am not sure if this is safe with this board.
I will be really thankful if someone can share some experience saving me from buying a new board 🙂
Attachments
Unless you are using a double pole switch you must switch the live for reasons of safety.
This is UK regulations
This is UK regulations
UK regulations are to switch the live of an unpolarized plug? Did you read the thread?
Switches should always be on the live side, I guess if the plug is unpolarized you should use s double pole switch
Electrical Shock
Really?
So: Do not rely on hobby electricians!
Mains switches not only can switch 250V but are tested with >1000V for isolation under all normal climatic conditions and are are appoved with surge tests (us high voltage pulses like the ones you can see at your outlets in a thunderstorm) of > 3kV!
THIS SWITCH MUST NOT SWITCH MAINS INPUT!
Only the printing on it "250V" does not make it a mains switch!It does not provide the minimum creepage distances and contact distances.
Use a switch which has an official relase for mains application!
Regards
Michael
Really?
So: Do not rely on hobby electricians!
Mains switches not only can switch 250V but are tested with >1000V for isolation under all normal climatic conditions and are are appoved with surge tests (us high voltage pulses like the ones you can see at your outlets in a thunderstorm) of > 3kV!
THIS SWITCH MUST NOT SWITCH MAINS INPUT!
Only the printing on it "250V" does not make it a mains switch!It does not provide the minimum creepage distances and contact distances.
Use a switch which has an official relase for mains application!
Regards
Michael