Andrewr05
[Replicant 42069]
For clarification in this instance "low amperage" means under 10Amps.
Please answer the poll above
Please answer the poll above
Last edited:
Under 10Amps.What is low amperage??
I would keep it under 12 amps and use it.Under 10Amps.
The switches in my case will all be for lighting.
I clarified above.I voted no, because the question isnt specific enough.
"Low amperage" is such a wide range of possibilities.
And the voltage plays a huge part of the answer as well.
Would it work on a 12vDC system for switching some 12v LED house lights?
Most likely...
Unless the house is 2000sqft, and all LED lighting for entire house goes through the switch...
See...
It is difficult to answer.
When a switch rated for AC applications is used in DC circuits, the current rating of the switch is the same. The DC voltage limit is usually much lower, typically 1/3 of the AC rating - 120VAC RMS (170V peak) rated switch can be used in 170/3 or about 56V DC. The reason for the derating the voltage spec is that it is easier to sustain a spark/arc created by a DC current.
Unless otherwisw specified by the mnufacturer, a commonly used "rule of thumb" is that switch contacts, relay contacts, contactor contacts and small circuit breaker contacts, that are marked "AC only" can in fact be used on DC up to the rated AC current but only at about 10% of the rated voltage.
The DC current can not exeed the rated AC current.
Further restrictions apply for inductive/capacitive loads.
That was my problem, I don't necessarily have anything wrong with those style switches, but they just seemed odd to me and gimmicky.I have several 120V a/c snap switches switching 12V dc lighting circuits.
It's a non-issue.
They make some awesome DC lights that work amazing but I don't want to use cheeseball RV type switches.
I would keep it under 12 amps and use it.
YES, I have a lot of 48v light bulbs that I plan to use in any scenario that requires strict power rationing. Lights without the use of an inverter is KEY.For offgrid household use, there are DC led bulbs that can be used in standard household lamp holders (both BC and ES are available) and run directly off the battery bank- in fact I use them here myself...
These are two different types I use- one is the standard 'looks like a standard LED bulb' and the other is one designed for 'fancy lamps' like a table lamp and bedside table lamps... (or if you had any lamp with exposed bulbs like a chandelier or the like)- both are available in various colour ranges from 'incandescent' yellow to 'blue-white' so you can choose your desired colour...
View attachment 193141
Runs off 12v-85v, DC or AC...
And yes, I use normal Australian light switches on them...
View attachment 193142
(despite appearances- the 230v mains powerpoints are totally separate and just 'cross' behind the roof support in flexi-dute- the light switch and light are totally independent and are currently running at 12vdc from the battery bank...)
View attachment 193148
I use 'blue/white for the workshop side, but 'incandescent yellow' in the living quarters as it is too 'white' for my tastes but the 'blue/white' is better when you need to see details...
Biggest advantage of these is that they are multivoltage (so work regardless of battery voltage from 12v up to 85v) plus they look just like 'normal' mains voltage bulbs and can be used in any normal lighting fixture (ES or BC) so to all appearances your offgrid house looks completely 'normal' (a far cry from my first place in the 1980's- where I used 'car blinker bulbs' hanging from the ceiling for lighting, and car spotlights for yard lighting...)YES, I have a lot of 48v light bulbs that I plan to use in any scenario that requires strict power rationing. Lights without the use of an inverter is KEY.
Biggest advantage of these is that they are multivoltage (so work regardless of battery voltage from 12v up to 85v) plus they look just like 'normal' mains voltage bulbs and can be used in any normal lighting fixture (ES or BC) so to all appearances your offgrid house looks completely 'normal' (a far cry from my first place in the 1980's- where I used 'car blinker bulbs' hanging from the ceiling for lighting, and car spotlights for yard lighting...)
That's what our off grid cabin is right now, is it's literally sealed incandescent headlight bulb housings for outdoor spotlights and like wide beam truck reverse lights for interior flood lighting.(a far cry from my first place in the 1980's- where I used 'car blinker bulbs' hanging from the ceiling for lighting, and car spotlights for yard lighting...)