| Electronics > Projects, Designs, and Technical Stuff |
| AC switch on small DC load |
| (1/1) |
| thisisliam:
Okay, I know the right thing to do would be to find an appropriately rated switch, but since I already own the switch that has the design I like I'd prefer to not have to go find the DC alternative... Situation: attempting to add a momentary push button to a DC circuit - 200mA, 12vdc MAX. The push button switch I have available is rated 5A 125/250VAC. Would it absolutely be the end of the world to use this switch with this circuit? Will I have arching issues? Or is the current just too low anyway for a switch of that rating? |
| jmelson:
--- Quote from: thisisliam on December 11, 2018, 07:27:43 pm ---Okay, I know the right thing to do would be to find an appropriately rated switch, but since I already own the switch that has the design I like I'd prefer to not have to go find the DC alternative... Situation: attempting to add a momentary push button to a DC circuit - 200mA, 12vdc MAX. The push button switch I have available is rated 5A 125/250VAC. Would it absolutely be the end of the world to use this switch with this circuit? Will I have arching issues? Or is the current just too low anyway for a switch of that rating? --- End quote --- You are very UNLIKELY to have arcing with 12 V, assuming the load is not some kind of coil (with inductance). Assuming it is something electronic, there may be some capacitors in the load that draw a current surge when turned on. Most likely, it will work fine for years. Jon |
| David Hess:
It will work fine. 12 volts and 200 milliamps is well above the point where dry circuits are a consideration. |
| vk6zgo:
--- Quote from: thisisliam on December 11, 2018, 07:27:43 pm ---Okay, I know the right thing to do would be to find an appropriately rated switch, but since I already own the switch that has the design I like I'd prefer to not have to go find the DC alternative... Situation: attempting to add a momentary push button to a DC circuit - 200mA, 12vdc MAX. The push button switch I have available is rated 5A 125/250VAC. Would it absolutely be the end of the world to use this switch with this circuit? Will I have arching issues? Or is the current just too low anyway for a switch of that rating? --- End quote --- Use it, the current is so low compared to its ratings that it will virtually last for ever. Low current DC switches are not specifically designed to avoid arcing, anyway, it is only when you get switches carrying substantial currents that it becomes a design consideration. |
| Navigation |
| Message Index |