Illuminated Rocker Switch Conundrum !?!

[Tynan2020]

Hi there . . . .

First up I'd just like to say I'm a long time forum member, but have not logged in for ages (a couple of years at least) and my account seems to have disappeared, had to register again. Not sure what happened to my account, but just to say that I am an amateur at this stuff, I know enough to not kill myself : ) which is why I come here for advice from people who've kept themselves alive while dealing with 240v every day !

I've got an illuminated rocker switch (see image below) - SPST, with three terminals . . .

. . . I was hoping to wire it up so that it lit up when switched on.

I am using it to connect a simple live and neutral wire connection (see excellent illustration below) this is all taking place inside an audio effects unit, the switch simply needs to connect the live to the neutral to turn the unit on - the live wire is carrying 240v (well my multimeter says 244v, but I assume that's 240v) . . .

Here's my issue, depending on which terminals I use, I can get the switch to turn the built in light on and off . . . or turn the power to the unit on and off (connect live and neutral) . . . but not both at the same time . . . . connecting live to the centre terminal and neutral to one of the outside terminals lights up the switch (but doesn't power the unit), connecting live to the centre terminal again and neutral to the opposite outside terminal powers up the unit . . . but no light.

Is there a clever wiring trick known to seasoned electricians to have this type of switch turn the power on (connect live and neutral) while at the same time turning the light on ?

Any input really appreciated (and yes, before you ask, you can use my wire illustration for your own posts).

Lee.

 

[westward10]

You are not going to be able to switch the unit on by only having a live and neutral at the switch. The neutral only serves to supply the neon indicator, for the switch to function it will require a live in and a live out so three wires.

 

[DPG]

What he said ^^^^^. It's a single pole switch. Do you actually need to switch the neutral?

There are double pole versions, but I don't think you will need one.

 

[Tynan2020]

You are not going to be able to switch the unit on by only having a live and neutral at the switch.

Cheers for the reply westward10.

I've probably not explained myself very well . . . I am able to switch the unit on - ('unit' = device this switch is controlling) - if I connect the live and neutral in the correct way . . . hold on, time for another of my excellent high quality illustrations . . .

The neutral only serves to supply the neon indicator, for the switch to function it will require a live in and a live out so three wires.

I suspected something like that, I've been reading up a little about all the various switches DPDT, DPST, SPST and all that kind of thing, and even though I don't quite get it, I get the idea that it can be a little more complex than a simple on/off with a bulb in the middle to light up the switch !

Thanks for your input, much appreciated !

One quick question, is there a type of switch that would work in this kind of situation, connect the live to neutral while also lighting up at the same time ?

Cheers

Lee
[automerge]1596187108[/automerge]

What he said ^^^^^. It's a single pole switch. Do you actually need to switch the neutral?

There are double pole versions, but I don't think you will need one.

Cheers for your reply DPG !

I have got a bunch of different rocker switches lying around, DPDT, DPST (and so on), I've always used them as simple switches, to basically bridge a break in a wire, so not really using their full functionality (lack of knowledge on my part), but I was hoping to get this one to light up when switched on . . . . do you reckon I might have more luck with a different version, like a double pole version . . . or is my limiting factor the fact that I am working with just a live and neutral wire ?

Thanks for any input ?


Lee

 

[DPG]

Ah I see what you mean. Right, one pin is live in, one is load out and the other is neutral. It won't work with just 2 wires.

 

[Tynan2020]

Ah I see what you mean. Right, one pin is live in, one is load out and the other is neutral. It won't work with just 2 wires.

Ok, no problem, I'll just go with a non-lit switch.


Thanks once again for your input !



Lee.

 

[DPG]

Ok, no problem, I'll just go with a non-lit switch.


Thanks once again for your input !



Lee.

I'm confused. It should work ok unless I've misunderstood.

 

[westward10]

Don't know how it works at all if those wires are live and neutral. Connect them across the two switched terminals you have a dead short.

 

[Tynan2020]

I'm confused. It should work ok unless I've misunderstood.

I thought you said : "Right, one pin is live in, one is load out and the other is neutral. It won't work with just 2 wires." . . .

. . . and I'm only working with the two wires . . . so it's not going to work . . . and by 'work' I mean switch the device on and off while also have the switch's built in light turn on and off.

Sorry if I've confused something here !

 

[DPG]

Don't know how it works at all if those wires are live and neutral. Connect them across the two switched terminals you have a dead short.

Live to one end, switched live probably centre. Remaining pin is the neutral return for the neon.

 

[Tynan2020]

Don't know how it works at all if those wires are live and neutral. Connect them across the two switched terminals you have a dead short.

I might have to take a photo, it'll probably explain a lot more than my unhinged ramblings . . . hold on, back in a minute or two . . .

 

[DPG]

I thought you said : "Right, one pin is live in, one is load out and the other is neutral. It won't work with just 2 wires." . . .

. . . and I'm only working with the two wires . . . so it's not going to work . . . and by 'work' I mean switch the device on and off while also have the switch's built in light turn on and off.

Sorry if I've confused something here !

No, it won't work with 2 wires connected. Definitely not.

 

[westward10]

He says it switches the unit on, how can it with just a live and neutral at the switch.

 

[DPG]

He says it switches the unit on, how can it with just a live and neutral at the switch.

Yeah I don't know why he wants to do it with two wires. No chance. Surely the equipment has live and neutral connections available in it though??

 

[Tynan2020]

He says it switches the unit on, how can it with just a live and neutral at the switch.

Yeah I don't know why he wants to do it with two wires. No chance. Surely the equipment has live and neutral connections available in it though??

Hi westward10 and DPG . . .

Here are a couple of snaps . . . not sure if this makes it any clearer.
Obviously the face plate and lid is taken off the unit, but basically the power switch would be on the front - poking through the face plate.

(don't worry I am not connecting this to the mains like this, with the wires just dangling close to the chassis, this is just to take the photos)