250 volt switches?

[vic008]

Is it ok to use 250v toggle switches when doing 12v on the boat?

 

[VicS]

Is it ok to use 250v toggle switches when doing 12v on the boat?

ideally no. Their current rating is for AC. They have a much lower current rating when used on DC (sometimes stated but very often not). Also the current in your 12 volt circuits will most likely be higher than in 230 volt circuits

Use switches properly rated for 12v DC from 12 volt Planet. Furneaux Riddall, Halfords or your favourite motor accessory supplier

https://www.12voltplanet.co.uk/toggle-switches.html

https://www.furneauxriddall.com/acatalog/Toggle_Switches.html

 

[rogerthebodger]

ideally no. Their current rating is for AC. They have a much lower current rating when used on DC (sometimes stated but very often not). Also the current in your 12 volt circuits will most likely be higher than in 230 volt circuits

Use switches properly rated for 12v DC from 12 volt Planet. Furneaux Riddall, Halfords or your favourite motor accessory supplier

https://www.12voltplanet.co.uk/toggle-switches.html

https://www.furneauxriddall.com/acatalog/Toggle_Switches.html

I disagree with VicS slightly as most toggle switches have an AC rating and a different DC rating.

This switch from on of the sites Vic posted clearly that at 240VAC the current rating is 10 amps and at 12/24VDC the current rating is 20 Amps.

This surprised me as normally the current rating on DC is normally lower than the AC current rating.

So you need to look at what the voltage and current rating is for your application.

BTW these rating are maximum rating so the switch above will also work at lower current and voltages for the type of circuit you are using it on.

 

[Alex_Blackwood]

I disagree with VicS slightly as most toggle switches have an AC rating and a different DC rating.

This switch from on of the sites Vic posted clearly that at 240VAC the current rating is 10 amps and at 12/24VDC the current rating is 20 Amps.

This surprised me as normally the current rating on DC is normally lower than the AC current rating.

So you need to look at what the voltage and current rating is for your application.

BTW these rating are maximum rating so the switch above will also work at lower current and voltages for the type of circuit you are using it on.

Agree with Rogershaw. Current rating looks back to front. Short answer to OP is " if the DC current rating is OK then the switch can be used".

 

[PCUK]

I have used domestic switches for 12 volt lighting on boats for 40 years and never a problem.

 

[pandos]

I have also used domestic switches in boats and campers for many years..

What I also have, and it works really well, is a mains tripswitch on the glow plugs of an md21b... Easily resetable 16amp...

Btw it is the only piece of work I paid to have done on the boat ( an auto electrician) said he frequently used them in trucks and tractors because they are so cheap and robust and easy to mount with a tiewrap...

 

[Lon nan Gruagach]

:smug:

 

[William_H]

Lon nan Gruagach link to a very impressive display of problems of difficulties breaking DC are interesting. However we note that the DC being broken is 220vDC. Wheras we presume OP is concerned about switching 12vDC or perhaps 24vdc.
Arcing would be much less with the lower voltage circuit. However switching circuits with a large inductive load like a motor can produce a large back EMF voltage which can induce arcing even at 12vdc system voltage. So yes refer to the rating of the switch if there is no DC rating it will surely be OK for low current switching like lights. Ratings for voltage and current being maximums. ol'will