110 volt switch, 12 volt
Printed From: the12volt.com
Forum Name: General Discussion
Forum Discription: General Mobile Electronics Questions and Answers
URL: https://www.the12volt.com/installbay/forum_posts.asp?tid=122038
Printed Date: May 14, 2024 at 11:34 AM
Topic: 110 volt switch, 12 volt
Posted By: lostyankee
Subject: 110 volt switch, 12 volt
Date Posted: May 28, 2010 at 11:33 AM
110 volt AC switches rated at 10 amp will handle what amperage at 12 volt DC?
If the above yields 11 ohms, & ohms are constant going to 12 volt, then this switch will handle only 1 amp.
Correct?
-------------
No politicians were saved in the making of my movie.
Replies:
Posted By: oldspark
Date Posted: May 28, 2010 at 12:30 PM
It's not a load so V=IR is not valid.
And there is no relation between AC and DC capacity - it depends on contact materials and other things.
If it is not rated for DC, do not use it - a fire could result.
(Conversely, if a DC switch is not rated for AC, don't use it - electrocution could result (assuming LV DC & higher voltage AC etc).
Posted By: i am an idiot
Date Posted: May 28, 2010 at 9:14 PM
As long as the voltage does not exceed 110 volts, and the current does not exceed 10 amps, all will be fine.
Posted By: oldspark
Date Posted: May 28, 2010 at 11:36 PM
Dare I say "I beg to differ"?? (Nah - I can't delete posts off this forum!)
I'm not saying it won't, I'm merely cautioning....
Breaking DC is very different to breaking AC. (Basically very high DC currents cannot be broken... safely... easily...)
May AC switches are NOT rated for DC - they do not have the appropriate contact hardness (whatever the appropriate non-arcing plating or hardening is called).
Many AC switches are rated for DC, but often at lower voltages or currents.
But since I have been a bigger idiot than ImaIdiot before, I'll gladly check etc.... I'm running off memory - albeit more securely than amps overheating on high impedance LOL!
|