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Light switch that illuminates when the light is ON?

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Joe Reed

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Anyone know of a source for a light switch that illuminates when the light is ON? All the illuminating switches I can find are designed to light up when the light is off.....to help you find the switch in the dark. I'd like to have the opposite. There is a switch in my garage that operates the lights in the attic above. Seems that I often get busy after retrieving something from the attic and forget the light.....so it might be on for days. If the switch was lit it would be very noticeable in my garage which has no windows - not even in the door. I really don't want a timer. If such as switch isn't available I suppose I could wire in a separate light near the switch - but that's a bit more work...
 
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Bert_

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Not sure I've ever seen one at the home stores but a pilot switch can be had for an electrical supplier
 
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Sumboodie

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I remember my pepere having one to turn the fuel pump on.

Had an underground tank and pump u it like a 60s gas station in front of the house, like 30ft from the front door.
 
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Joe Reed

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Ahhhh.....pilot switch! Thanks guys. It sure makes searching easier if you know that they're called!
 
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Fav Onefour

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MN cold and hot
This was a helpful topic.
I also have a closed storage space above the garage. I put the switch box right by the drop down ladder opening and thought it would be perfect. I initially used a regular lighted switch and that was pointless. Once the door is closed, it's just a night light on the ceiling. I still had to open the door and verify my lack of memory about the attic light.
Funny thing about a switch mounted to the ceiling. Up-on and down-off doesn't work. I even rotated the switch after I left the dang light on.
 
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FrankLee

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Fav Onefour said:
This was a helpful topic.
Click to expand...
Ditto
Fav Onefour said:
I also have a closed storage space above the garage.
Click to expand...
Ditto
Fav Onefour said:
I put the switch box right by the drop down ladder opening and thought it would be perfect.
Click to expand...
My switch is on the wall near the pull-down stairs.

I just discovered today that the switch/light in the attic was on since last week when I was up there last.

I knew about pilot switches and always intended to get one. This thread prompted me to finally do so.

I ordered this one:
 
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Jack Ryan

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Adelaide, South Australia
Joe Reed said:
Anyone know of a source for a light switch that illuminates when the light is ON? All the illuminating switches I can find are designed to light up when the light is off.....to help you find the switch in the dark. I'd like to have the opposite. There is a switch in my garage that operates the lights in the attic above. Seems that I often get busy after retrieving something from the attic and forget the light.....so it might be on for days. If the switch was lit it would be very noticeable in my garage which has no windows - not even in the door. I really don't want a timer. If such as switch isn't available I suppose I could wire in a separate light near the switch - but that's a bit more work...
Click to expand...
Have a close look at the switches you have seen. Most are single pole, double throw so you can wire it as you wish.

You can also get neon lights that clip into a switch position - mount a neon and a switch on a two hole plate.

Jack
 
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smackey05

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Massachusetts
I have something similar on my attic light switch. Definitely necessary! There are multiple versions of the pilot light switch you can get.
 
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jack stand

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Lakes Region Maine
^^^^ I got one at HD for the compressor solenoid. I still manage to not see the red light now and then. Now with almost no energy LED bulbs you might just wire in a porcelain in a very obvious location. 👍
 
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FrankLee

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whateg01

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Fav Onefour said:
This was a helpful topic.
I also have a closed storage space above the garage. I put the switch box right by the drop down ladder opening and thought it would be perfect. I initially used a regular lighted switch and that was pointless. Once the door is closed, it's just a night light on the ceiling. I still had to open the door and verify my lack of memory about the attic light.
Funny thing about a switch mounted to the ceiling. Up-on and down-off doesn't work. I even rotated the switch after I left the dang light on.
Click to expand...
I'm not saying a pilot switch isn't better, but couldn't you still use the lighted switch to tell if the lights were on? Of the switch is lighted, then the lights are off and if the switch is not lighted, the lights are on?
 
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Joe Reed

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A light showing where there shouldn't be one seems to me to be more of an attention grabber than the opposite, especially since this is a very small light. I might not notice the absence of a tiny light....but (since my garage is dark until I turn on the lights or open the door) that extra little light will certainly be noticed.
 
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Joe Reed

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Motion switch won't work. Switch is in the garage...controls the attic light. Motion switch would just keep turning the attic light on whenever I'm in the garage :)
 
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exranger06

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CT
Joe Reed said:
Motion switch won't work. Switch is in the garage...controls the attic light. Motion switch would just keep turning the attic light on whenever I'm in the garage :)
Click to expand...
I think he meant install a motion switch in the attic, in addition to the toggle switch in the garage. If you forget to turn the toggle switch off, the motion switch will take over.
 
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jonesg

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northern Maine/
exranger06 said:
I think he meant install a motion switch in the attic, in addition to the toggle switch in the garage. If you forget to turn the toggle switch off, the motion switch will take over.
Click to expand...
indeed, why would we put light switches on the outside of a refrigerator.

He is satisfied with his solution but I think its like HAL from 2001.
Beware the rise of the switches.
 
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Squankum

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All of these switches and special wiring! Why hasn't anybody suggested the cheapest solution? Drill a hole in the ceiling!

(I am joking, ,but a few gaps in the construction of stairs/ basement playroom sometimes do give me a lit notice when I go upstairs in the dark that I have not turned off all of the garage and shop lights.)
 
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Joe Reed

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Cordova TN
Amazon just delivered the Leviton switch and it's now installed. It is precisely what I needed. Thanks for those who suggested it.

If you get one, pay attention to the enclosed wiring diagram. The first diagram is NOT what you probably want. That one is for a switch that is illuminated all the time....in both on and off positions. The second diagram is for the pilot function. Wiring couldn't be easier. Green to ground. White (neutral) to silver. Load to the black screw. Line to the brass screw. The last two connections are what will throw you off if you use the first diagram, since that one puts the load on the brass and line on the black....
 
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