Can I use 125 V 5 A dpdt for a 12 or 24 V 10 A device?

Deleted member 9967 · Jan 5, 2022

I have some spare dpdt centre off switches that are good for 125 volts and 5 amps. Can I use them for a 12 [maybe 24] volt 10 amp application [device] safely?
I am guessing that the increase in amps is the problem and that it would over heat and burn out.
Thanks everyone for your input.

cass3825 · Jan 5, 2022

Your guess is correct. The current exceeds the ampacity rating of the switches, which will likely overheat and fail.

Deleted member 9967 · Jan 5, 2022

cass3825 said:
Your guess is correct. The current exceeds the ampacity rating of the switches, which will likely overheat and fail.

Thank you. I was on a watts thing for some silly reason. But my gut said, "No silly, it is the amps."
Soooo Thank you very much for preventing me from setting my butt on fire as I would have put this on my chariot LOL.
Ok time to buy a better switch LOL.
Thanks again

Zil · Jan 5, 2022

ac switches are not designed to prevent arc-over. Do not use ac switches for dc. No matter the ampere rating.

chrisski · Jan 5, 2022

Zil said:
ac switches are not designed to prevent arc-over. Do not use ac switches for dc. No matter the ampere rating.

I contacted a reputable manufacturer about using a high rated AC amp switch for a 45 amp DC rating, and they told me it should be good. That did not give me confidence, so I did not use it.

Deleted member 9967 · Jan 5, 2022

Zil said:
ac switches are not designed to prevent arc-over. Do not use ac switches for dc. No matter the ampere rating.

These are DC switches.
Also, I use light switches for low amp uses. They are 120 volt 20 [or more] amp AC and I use them for 24 volt 10 amp usage. So far they have been fine.
Thanks for the warning though.

Deleted member 9967 · Jan 5, 2022

chrisski said:
I contacted a reputable manufacturer about using a high rated AC amp switch for a 45 amp DC rating, and they told me it should be good. That did not give me confidence, so I did not use it.

At home depot one guy that knew something of this said that an AC switch can be used for DC. But only at about one third to one fifth the amperage for the same voltage. So a 100 amp AC switch would only be good for 20 to 30 amps DC. He said it was a heat issue.

Can I use 125 V 5 A dpdt for a 12 or 24 V 10 A device?

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