Can I use an AC rocker switch for DC?
Yes, an AC switch should be fine to control a few milliamperes of a relay coil. The relay is designed to switch high DC currents.
What switches from DC to AC?
An inverter converts the DC electricity from sources such as batteries or fuel cells to AC electricity. The electricity can be at any required voltage; in particular it can operate AC equipment designed for mains operation, or rectified to produce DC at any desired voltage.
Are AC amps and DC amps the same?
DC Amps and AC amps are the exact same thing, they are the measurement of electrons past a given point, the difference is that the electrons of AC go back and forth (alternating) and DC go only in one direction (direct).
How many amps can a switch handle?
Most residential switches are rated at 15 amps, whereas industrial and residential switches usually are rated at 20 amps.
Can I use AC contactor for DC?
The AC contactor’s starting current is vast, and its maximum operating frequency is about 600 times per hour. In comparison, the maximum operating frequency of the DC contactor is 1200 times per hour. In emergencies, AC contactors can be used instead of AC contactors.
Can a DC rocker switch handle a DC current?
At very low voltages (say 12VDC or less), switches designed for AC mains use will “probably” safely handle DC currents equal to their AC current rating.
How does an arc form on an AC rocker switch?
With AC waveforms the voltage is zero twice in each cycle so any arc that has formed is extinguished at the zero crossing*. For an arc to continue to exist as the switch progressively opens the arc has to reform after each zero crossing, with a progressively larger gap each time.
How does an AC switch work on a DC switch?
When the switch opens, there is a small arc that occurs. AC is self-extinguishing since the current goes to zero 120 times every second. DC does not so the switch has to survive until the arc dies down on its own. So the DC switch has to be hardier and will therefore work with AC.
Can you use AC rated switches on DC relays?
I would use the AC switch to power a 12vdc auto relay. A 30 to 40 amp relay is only a few dollars. That’s a way! Use the timer to control a DC relay which uses only a little current for its coil. Can I use an AC rated switch to power this load and if so what ratings do I need to be looking for on the switch?