Phantom Rocker Switch.

[PopRivet]

Dear Sirs

Before I start describing my problem, please excuse me if this is not the right forum section, I couldn’t find any other more appropriate.

I am writing to ask if someone can help me identifying a rocker switch about which I can’t find any information.
I have already spent hours searching the web, even through image search, and I can’t even identify the manufacturers logo mark.

I am attaching some pictures below with dimensions and details about the markings on the switch body.
The rocker switch is a DPST, illuminated, clear button cap type. The body “ rectangular “ dimensions ( panel cut out ) are 34 mm by 12 mm.

I would like to have the right direct replacement, but if someone knows of something similar, with the right body dimensions for the panel cut out, I do not mind if the rocker switch is illuminated or not, or if the size of the terminals is not the same, and the total body depth is longer or shorter, etc.

Thank you very much for any help or information you could provide.

Gratefully
PopRivet

[Haenk]

B ist manufacturer - Busch-Jaeger (Germany)

Edit: This comes with VDE-mark only, no CE or WEEE - so I assume it's something from around the 90s and therefor might be long out of manufacturing.
Maybe check their customer support, or industrial parts catalog.

[PopRivet]

Hello Mr. Haenk

Thank you very much for taking the time to help.
I followed your suggestion and searched the site of Busch Jaeger, but unfortunately, they do not seem to manufacture rocker switches anymore.

Their line of business seems to have been redirected towards the home electrical appliances.
Also, I am not sure if the rocker switch manufacturer is Busch-Jaeger. The logo seems to be different, please see the attached photograph below.

I think the manufacturers logo is the image to the right, the symbol in the image to the left, the one you suggested belonging to Busch-Jaeger, is perhaps an approval marking of some sort.

Best regards
PopRivet

[Haenk]

I agree, the "true" manufacturer is probably the one on the right. Probably made it for Busch-Jaeger. The logo is very close and I don't know any german or european electrical marking coming even close. (And it's probably intended for teh german market, as there is only a VDE mark...)

[Fraser]

I think that rocker switch is an old format in terms of its panel hole dimension of 12mm x 34mm. I looked at a company who sell unusual and obsolete components (Rich Electronics) and found what looks to be the correct size of rocker switch. Sadly the switch is SPST, but if the equipment is important to you I would buy two of the rocker switches from Rich Electronics and transplant the contacts from one into the other to create a DPST switch. The switches are easily disassembled and rebuilt thanks to their simple design.

This is not ideal as it will cost you £10 for the two switches, but you may have a challenge on your hands to find this longer (34mm) format of rocker switch.

https://richelectronics.co.uk/product/white-single-rocker-switch-t125-331128-16a-250vac-on-off-1-piece-mbf021h

Fraser

[inse]

If this very switch is so important, did you disassemble the switch and have a look at the contacts already?
Maybe it can be brought back to life by cleaning the contacts, or what's the problem anyway?

[james_s]

Do you need this exact switch, or just something that fits in the existing hole?

[PopRivet]

Dear Mr Fraser

Thank you very much for your contribution !

Although the colours of the body and button are different and the switch is unipolar, the component that you pointed me to seems to be exactly the same as the model I have, at least physically.

I am almost sure that the manufacturer of the switch I have is the same, unfortunately, after searching the site you suggested me, I still can not find who is it.

The manufacturer remains “ anonymous “, but I fell we are getting somewhere.

Reconfigure one switch from unipolar to bipolar from parts of another switch is not an option because it will be too expensive, I need at least, eight of these switches.

These rocker switches have a design flaw at the actuator button level, or in the polymer chosen to manufacture it.

The button axes break after a few hours of use, perhaps due to the temperature generated by the illuminating lamp or the 100 kΩ series resistor used with it, certainly not due to the number of cycles of use, in 20 years they have only been turned on two or three dozen times.

These switches are used on isolated AC supply modules of electronics laboratory practice benches.
I will try to search a little more for the original rocker switch, if I still cannot find a direct replacement ( original or compatible ) I will replace it with another switch that can be adapted.

Again, thank you very much for your help !

Yours faithfully
PopRivet

[PopRivet]

Hello Mr Inse

The problem is not electrical, the internal contacts are ok.

The actuator button axles of several of these switches broke off. Since the switches over the years have not seen much use, I assume that the problem is a design flaw; out of 14 original switches only 3 still work, the others had all suffered the same malfunction.

Best regards
PopRivet

[PopRivet]

Do you need this exact switch, or just something that fits in the existing hole?

Dear Mr. James

Yes, I would like to replace the switch with an exact model, or at least, one with the exact dimensions.

I have replaced others before, but due to physical dimensions differences between the panel cut out and the switches main body, mechanical fixation modifications had to be made.

The result is not “ professional “ and is aesthetically unpleasant.

Also, because the replacement switches used are unipolar instead of bipolar ( although they are also illuminated ) it is necessary to make modifications to the existing electrical wiring.

Yours sincerely
PopRivet

[Fraser]

PopRivet,

I have come across rocker switches of the dimensions you specified in the distant past. The equipment that they were mounted in was from the 1960’s and 1970’s. They are longer (34mm) than modern versions, as you know. I have done some brief research into them and they are indeed a vintage product, long obsolete. Wellco used to make the same size of rocker switch but you will only find new old stock parts these days. I could not find any adapter plates to enable use of the modern rocker switches but such could be fabricated, as I am sure you know.

There are some Wellco rocker switches on eBay but not the correct contact configuration. Their appearance gives away their age ! Then there is the price marked on one of them…. MRSP 32 pence  and another at 53 Pence !

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/165729703456?mkcid=16&mkevt=1&mkrid=711-127632-2357-0&ssspo=bWOXF2t2T2C&sssrc=2349624&ssuid=BgpdXaaLSkK&var=&widget_ver=artemis&media=COPY

Fraser

[inse]

If there is a 3D printer around, it should be possible to manufacture some kind of frame or adaptor to fit a common switch into the existing hole.

[PopRivet]

Hello Mr. Fraser

The equipment where the switches are used is not new, but certainly not fabricated in the 60’s or 70’s. ( I hope…  )

The fourteen electronics lab benches were bought and installed in 2003.

I do not understand why they used this switch model in 2002 or 2003, maybe they had plenty of them in stock from previous products / projects.

I looked at their present product catalogue and from the pictures, it looks like the rocker switches they are using are of the “ modern “ more or less kind of standardized dimensions.


Best regards
PopRivet

[PopRivet]

If there is a 3D printer around, it should be possible to manufacture some kind of frame or adaptor to fit a common switch into the existing hole.

Hello Mr. Inse

That is a good option !
At least, much easier than machining a “ spacer “ from acrylic to fill the gap between the panel cut out and the switch body, plus adding brackets for fixation, etc.
Personally, I do not have access to a 3D printer, but other co-workers of my department have, as a last resort I will turn to them.

Thank you for your help !

Best regards
PopRivet