Can a 6A 3-gang light switch support 6 Amps on all three gangs, or is it a total of 6 amps? Let's say one gang is connected to a 3 amp light circuit, another to a 2 amp light circuit, and a third to a 4 amp light circuit. Will it damage the switch?
3-gang light switch current rating.
- Thread starter Deebee101
- Start date
4x4dually
Senior Member
- Location
- Stillwater, OK
- Occupation
- Electrical Engineer/ Ex-Electrician
Do you have a product number or a link to a data sheet? I would think it may vary from OEM to OEM and depend on how the device was engineered and tested.
rlundsrud
Senior Member
- Location
- chicago, il, USA
If it's rated at 6 amps, then any single leg can handle that much current. It isn't divided between the two poles.
Flicker Index
Senior Member
- Location
- Pac NW
- Occupation
- Lights
Theoretically, anyways. That's what they said about 6-50R that's melting while charging EVs.
LarryFine
Master Electrician Electric Contractor Richmond VA
- Location
- Henrico County, VA
- Occupation
- Electrical Contractor
Can you tell us the switch make and model?
kwired
Electron manager
- Location
- NE Nebraska
- Occupation
- EC
I thought they were 14-50R's, even though they typically don't need a neutral they come with that plug anyway.
4x4dually
Senior Member
- Location
- Stillwater, OK
- Occupation
- Electrical Engineer/ Ex-Electrician
You are correct. 14-50R.
Flicker Index
Senior Member
- Location
- Pac NW
- Occupation
- Lights
Seeing the same issue as 14-50R's in an application when it's used within the boundary of "it's rated at ..."
Actually, drivers have been seeing the same exact issue while doing L1 EV charging with a normal 15A plug/receptacle set under the same circumstance of using within the boundary of "it's rated at ...".
It comes with a 15A plug and configured to draw 12A (80%) for 3 or more hours. It's plugged into a nearby 15A outlet that's "rated at 12A continuous". There's clearly a broad issue when things like this happen, but it's a reminder that "rated at..." is no longer something we can say with confidence it won't screw up.
- Location
- Chapel Hill, NC
- Occupation
- Retired Electrical Contractor
That doesn't sound correct. I have seen 15 amp 3 switch units. Do you think they could handle 45 amps? I know it isn't realistic but....
LarryFine
Master Electrician Electric Contractor Richmond VA
- Location
- Henrico County, VA
- Occupation
- Electrical Contractor
"Cat. Nos. 1754 and 1755 - 15A-120VAC (15A Each Load, 20A Max. Total)"
"Individual Switches: 15 Amp 120 Volt/Device Total 20 Amp 120 Volt."
"Individual Switches: 15 Amp 120 Volt/Device Total 20 Amp 120 Volt."
kwired
Electron manager
- Location
- NE Nebraska
- Occupation
- EC
I've been seeing that issue for years with normal 15 amp plug/receptacles when people plug in those stupid space heaters that claim to save a lot on your heating bill and also don't get hot enough to start a fire. They never mention that 8, 10, 12 amp load for long period of time on a cheap receptacle still causes melt down of the plug/receptacle. They can get better grade receptacles as well as I have seen that too, but not quite so easily as the cheap ones.
hbiss
EC, New York NEC: 2017
- Location
- Little Falls, New York NEC: 2017
- Occupation
- EC
A 15A switch is for use on a 15A or 20A circuit is the way I look at it. Don't try to switch more than 15A. Three switches on a yoke marked 15A is 15A total. Divide that 15A up any way you want like 10+2+3.
I assume the 3 switches are on the same yoke, and the whole assembly is rated at 6A. I would assume that what I said above applies, but this seems to be some foreign switch that may be rated differently. 6A seems pretty low but who knows without seeing the switch specs.
-Hal
LarryFine
Master Electrician Electric Contractor Richmond VA
- Location
- Henrico County, VA
- Occupation
- Electrical Contractor
I responded to an emergency call when a bed caught fire because an unused receptacle overheated due to a heater in another bedroom.
- Location
- Tennessee NEC:2017
- Occupation
- Semi-Retired Electrician
Hope you had your lights and siren on for that emergency call!
- Location
- Wisconsin
- Occupation
- PE (Retired) - Power Systems
That issue is more likely continuous versus non-continuous loading. We have to increase conductors and OCPD, why should we think receptacles are 100% rated.
The question by the OP was if devices are rated per pole or as an aggregated total.
A good point was made concerning the total ampacity per yoke.
kwired
Electron manager
- Location
- NE Nebraska
- Occupation
- EC
The busing in most of these probably can handle 15 or even 20 amps with little or no problems, The rating of individual switch contacts is what is probably the most critical.
LarryFine
Master Electrician Electric Contractor Richmond VA
- Location
- Henrico County, VA
- Occupation
- Electrical Contractor
See post #11 again.
AC\DC
Senior Member
- Location
- Florence,Oregon,Lane
- Occupation
- EC
He was the First responder--- I tried to claim that when fighting a traffic ticket getting caught on my phone lolHope you had your lights and siren on for that emergency call!
LarryFine
Master Electrician Electric Contractor Richmond VA
- Location
- Henrico County, VA
- Occupation
- Electrical Contractor
No, but the fire trucks were still there. They had cords from the kitchen to a couple of rooms, too,Hope you had your lights and siren on for that emergency call!
It's easier to pay for electricity after you use it than it is to pay for heating oil before you use it.