BIG light switch

[motorbreath53]

(tried to post this once... and appartently my laptop didn't approve..)

Yea, i'm a big nerd...

but can a switch like this be used as a light switch without any saftey concern?

thanks for your time.
Danny

 

[malibu101]

Yes.
The only potential problem is- Are the lugs inside rated to handle "small" 12 or 14 AWG wire?
If the lugs can handle the wire, you could use a 100A disconnect for a 20A load.

 

[Mattlt]

Since this looks like a 240V switch, you'd only be using one side or leg of the disconnect. The other side would be left empty.

You probably already knew that...

 

[GarageEnvy]

Why am I somehow picturing this? It's alive!

 

[bradleykd]

i think that's a novelty that would wear off quick... those things have a pretty loud pop whenever you flip it. you'd never be able to sneak out to the garage... lol

 

[GN4WHLN]

Will this be the mad scientist garage? It's alive... alive!

 

[murph64]

Will this be the mad scientist garage? It's alive... alive!

Andy

 

[Aceman]

I wouldn't use that personally, a snap switch is more convenient.

It looks exactly like a Siemens disconnect, so the lugs should be rated to handle #2-#14 wire. The one in the picture is Nema 3R(rainproof), if you plan on using it indoor you'll want Nema 1 instead.

 

[Falcon67]

'ats not a light switch, THIS is a light switch

 

[JohnFreeman]

Sure!

No problem...

 

[JohnFreeman]

...though a Square D version would be better!

 

[motorbreath53]

I knew about the noise that these produce... small price to pay if you ask me I found a slightly smaller one than the one in the pic that will get a more appropriate handle...

I'll post pics of what I end up with, but it might be a week er' two... If I don't finish putting the kitchen back together, my wife is going to leave me for the UPS guy...

thanks for the help.

 

[mmhouse]

If I don't finish putting the kitchen back together, my wife is going to leave me for the UPS guy...

So we finally have the answer to the question...

"What can brown do for you?"

 

[motorbreath53]

aww hell... I was sure that I needed the BIG switch... till I found this...

This might be the most bitchin switch i've ever seen for a garage...

specially' with a cool keychain hangin from it...

 

[mrb]

how about finding an old allen bradley control station with red on and black off buttons and wire it up to a contactor? that would be pretty cool.

 

[rwhite692]

Yes you can use that but IMHO the novelty will wear off pretty quick.

 

[motorbreath53]

Yes you can use that but IMHO the novelty will wear off pretty quick.

....maybe you're underestimating just how big of a nerd I am? I still smile EVERY time I flush the urinal in my garage... and its been up for a year now...

 

[tdkkart]

but can a switch like this be used as a light switch without any saftey concern?

Yep, works great, until they fill with spider webs and/or grain dust and blow the cover off when you switch them on.
Seen the film, can't find an example right now.
In an industrial enviroment you never stand directly in front of the switch box when you turn it on, always stand to one side.

Years ago I moved into a rental house that had been lived in by an old lady for years. First time I turned on the microwave I got a **** and smoke from the outlet. All the outlet boxes in the kitchen were filled with dirt,grease and cobwebs, combined with loose screws on the outlets and high loads made for a couple neat smoke shows.