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Post by awbeattie381 on Jan 23, 2017 21:49:22 GMT 10
Hi all,
Stupid question time...
I would like to replace all my light switches with new ones (3x 240v and 3x 12v) as the old ones have paint all over them and are discoloured.
Looking at the existing light switches, they are all identical ie suited for 240v applications (10 amp).
This is the stupid part...can I replace these with new double pole 240v light switches and use for both 12 and 240v applications again? Seems too simple...
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Post by Warrenk on Jan 23, 2017 22:44:01 GMT 10
Yes, your electrical contractor can just replace the 240v ac switches with double pole 240v ac switches. The 12v system can also use the 240v switches but the current rating of the switch will de-rated for use on the dc system. I did read when I was looking to replace the 240v lights in my caravan with LED's that the de-rating is around 80%. Sometimes the switches have a DC rating and a AC rating written on them.
Warren
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Post by doublechevron on Jan 24, 2017 9:25:16 GMT 10
How do you get a double pole light switch .... often they only switch the active ....... No powerpoints, the will be need to be double pole  |
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Post by Rattles on Jan 24, 2017 9:53:08 GMT 10
Lik of a supplier: www.electrotraders.com.au/light-switch-mechanism-double-pole-10-amp-square-styleAC Connection Diagram:  There you go, There is no reason not to use the same Mechanism for both A/C and D/C, Just use a different Colour Mech and Orientate all Switch Plated the same if possible. on DC Circuits if a double pole switch is used it make S/C faults easier to locate as when switch is opened the cable leaving the switch is fully isolated. On DC Circuits I would Connect +ve to the "A" Terminals and -ve to the "N" terminal. Rattles |
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Post by doublechevron on Jan 24, 2017 10:53:03 GMT 10
I bet when you pull the switches out there is only an active there ........................... I could be wrong, but that's how I've always noticed lights are wired It would probably pay to check before you spend considerably more on 2 pole switches. Oh... unless your re-wiring the caravan from scratch and have all of the cladding off ? seeya, Shane L. |
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Post by Warrenk on Jan 24, 2017 12:52:09 GMT 10
I bet when you pull the switches out there is only an active there ........................... I could be wrong, but that's how I've always noticed lights are wired It would probably pay to check before you spend considerably more on 2 pole switches. Oh... unless your re-wiring the caravan from scratch and have all of the cladding off ? seeya, Shane L. After reading you first post I went into my Olympic which I am in the process of rewiring to grab one of the old clipsal double pole switches for a part number. This switch has a red and black wire connected to the line side and a red and black connected to the load side, so wired up in double pole configuration. Double pole switching for 240v wiring, regardless being a power point or light switch is the rule for caravans and to do anything else is illegal. The 12v lights only used single pole switches. I think the best soulution is to install a battery and change all the lights to 12v. No worry about double pole switching or seperation between different voltage cables. Warren |
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Post by Deleted on Jan 24, 2017 16:15:54 GMT 10
Interesting our '68 has single poles and before I put in the circuit breakers etc there was zip not even a fuse just a single pole old light switch to switch the 240v supply on and off I could not believe it  yet no one seems to have died with these old systems or did they ? the 12v use the same switches side by side with the 240v no differentiation at all and the 12v use the alloy frame as an earth . Thgere must be many others the same although no doubt many have been updated unlike our time machine  |
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Post by Mustang on Jan 24, 2017 18:42:44 GMT 10
Make sure every one fits an RCD
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Post by Warrenk on Jan 24, 2017 19:25:21 GMT 10
Interesting our '68 has single poles and before I put in the circuit breakers etc there was zip not even a fuse just a single pole old light switch to switch the 240v supply on and off I could not believe it yet no one seems to have died with these old systems or did they ? the 12v use the same switches side by side with the 240v no differentiation at all and the 12v use the alloy frame as an earth . Thgere must be many others the same although no doubt many have been updated unlike our time machine I have a pair of Olympic's, '67 & '68, and I have stripped the wiring and fittings out to rewire them. All the 240v fittings were all double pole. There were a couple of newer light switches, but the original ones were double pole. Maybe Olympic caravans were ahead of their time.  When I started my apprenticeship in 1970, a new wiring rules had just been released. It appears that your caravan (and mine) would have wired up using the previous wiring rules. We had a mid 80's Jayco and like yours (and the Olympics) there was no circuit breakers between the power in inlet and the first 240v fitting. The fuse/circuit breaker were you plugged into probably was considered the protection. Warren |
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Post by Mustang on Jan 24, 2017 19:31:49 GMT 10
Hi Andrew,
You can buy the 240v points with duel phone charger outlets in the centre $40ea from caravans plus.
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Post by awbeattie381 on Feb 16, 2017 12:59:37 GMT 10
Thanks all for the replies. Love the wealth of knowledge on this forum. I have my answer (I think ) These are my existing light switches. One is for the outside light and the other is for a ceiling light.   I have already replaced the powerboard with a nice slimline one (no USB charge points though). |
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Post by doublechevron on Feb 17, 2017 10:42:51 GMT 10
Looks like it's only switching the active. You can probably get by buying some single pole switches from the big green shed seeya, Shane L. |
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yet no one seems to have died with these old systems or did they ? the 12v use the same switches side by side with the 240v no differentiation at all and the 12v use the alloy frame as an earth 
