Electrical Switch Help

[Regud]

I was looking for a small SPDT (on - off - on) switch to wire my Swiss Map Light to also work with the door. The only switch small enough I found says it is for AC.

• ON-OFF-ON, S.P.D.T, center-off matte-black, single-pole rocker switch. Snap-mounts in 0.8" diameter hole. 0.9" diameter bezel. 0.6" diameter round rocker. Rated 13 Amps / 125 Vac. Solder or 0.187" qc terminals. TUV.

Can any of you who are much more electrically inclined tell me if this switch will work with 12v DC?

Thanks!

[epm131]

that switch may work, but I wouldn't try it as it is rated for AC

Check out
OTRATTW

because you want an on-off-on switch, you'll have to buy the switch body and rocker seperately. take a look at the spdt V-series rocker switch body and the Cortura II nav light rocker, blue lens VVAYCBL-197. together, it should cost you less than $12 + s&h

[Regud]

Hmm, thanks for the tip and a place to buy switches. The problem is that I have less than 1 square inch to place the switch. These switches look bigger. Do you know the size of their switches?

[Rocketdog]

Regud previously said:

Hmm, thanks for the tip and a place to buy switches. The problem is that I have less than 1 square inch to place the switch. These switches look bigger. Do you know the size of their switches?

Check out this link at Digikey.

Hope this helps.

Digi-Key Part Search

[Briman42487]

bosch makes all sorts of DC electronics stuff. get a generic toggle switch or something fancier if you wish, and use that for the light.

if you want a diagram, i'll draw it up for you.

[OTRATTW]

Regud previously said:

Hmm, thanks for the tip and a place to buy switches. The problem is that I have less than 1 square inch to place the switch. These switches look bigger. Do you know the size of their switches?

The V-series rocker switches won't fit. They require a .830 X 1.45 hole.

Check out Del City - Wiring Products and Professional Electrical Supplies . There might be a minimum order requirement which is easily met should you need wiring or connectors.

[Regud]

Hey, thanks for the tips. The second diagram is what I am trying to do ...



Del City had the rocker I was looking for, but the description said "AC rated but also suitable for low voltage DC applications."

Del City

What is considered low voltage DC?

[fingas74]

Regud previously said:

Can any of you who are much more electrically inclined tell me if this switch will work with 12v DC?

Thanks!

What amperage are you using the switch for? An AC switch can be used for DC you can't however use an AC relay for DC unless it is dual rated, the same applies to circuit breakers. A switch is just a physical contact between two conductors, it doesn't really care AC or DC just ensure that the switch is of the proper amperage to supply your load and add a little buffer in there for good measure.

In general I over compensate wire size when i design for DC since you will get the same voltage drop for AC or DC for the same amperage but when working with 12v DC it is a much greater percentage of the overall voltage. Also there is a little difference in ampacity based on skin effect which in general lowers the ampacity of copper in DC applications. So yes an AC switch can be used just oversize it a hair. This is more important as the amperage of the load increases so for larger loads it is advisable to always go with DC rated parts just to be safe

[fingas74]

Regud previously said:

What is considered low voltage DC?

Generally 12 and 24 volts are considered low volatage DC.

[sonof40]

That switch will work just fine. Use it.