Switch Rating

torch

Well-known member

Equipment
B7100HSD, B2789, B2550, B4672, 48" cultivator, homemade FEL and Cab
Jun 10, 2016
2,623
872
113
Muskoka, Ont.
That is hilarious. The specs clearly show the LED is 12VDC, but the contacts are rated @125VAC. I did a quick google search for similar switches and the problem seems endemic -- they are all rated at 125 or 250VAC with 12 or 24VDC LEDs! The Chinese at their finest...

Anyway, sorry, I misunderstood about the switch failure question. So, if you use 1 switch per light bar or use a relay, then you should be within the capabilities of that switch.

If you power both lightbars through that switch, then I think you would approach or exceed the capabilities of that switch. In that case, I think the most likely failure mode would be that the contacts would arc each time the switch was operated. The arcing would eventually, over a long period of time, "burn" the contacts and they would become more resistive. Either they would stop conducting enough current to activate the light bars, or the switch would get warm.

I do not think the switch would get warm enough to ignite anything. It is more likely that the switch might get warm enough to soften the plastic housing and the switch would stop making contact at all. It is remotely possible that the resulting loose contact(s) could ground out, but a fuse in the supply line would forestall any excessive current long before a fire started.

That said, the above is just my gut feeling. To be absolutely safe get a heavier switch OR use 2 switches OR use a relay.

But that's just my 2¢.
 

85Hokie

Moderator
Staff member
Lifetime Member

Equipment
BX-25D ,PTB. Under Armor, '90&'92-B7100HST's, '06 BX1850 FEL
Jul 13, 2013
10,802
2,609
113
Bedford - VA
Torch,

I haven't installed the switch yet - no failure. My question was if I dived ahead and installed the switch would I run the risk of a fire if it failed.

85Hokie
This is the site I bought them from - I found the same switch on a number of "auto" type sites after I bought these (cheaper too as it turns out) but I didn't save the url.

http://alexnld.com/product/12v-16mm...ype-push-button-switch-high-flat-head-switch/
Looking at those - and they look really nice BTW - I almost got a pair a while back off amazon.

strange that they label them as 12 volts - then in the description say they are rated at 120AC.......I am gonna bet they are made in the land of almost right.:D

well here is the clue "Shipping: to United States";)

despite all that - I would have only one set per switch as others have said, or place a relay in line with them.:)