Did a service call today where the previous electrician installed a magnetic switch to control low voltage led tape inside a cabinet in the kitchen. The magnetic switch is attached to the door and the cabinet. The magnetic switch I removed was labeled as a magnetic security switch. I believe The load is WAC 24 v LED tape light on a 60 watt driver. I believe the load was to much for the existing magnetic switch as the switch was melted. Any suggestions on a different type or brand of magnetic switch or a limit switch?
Limit Switch Recommendations
- Thread starter chris1971
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peter d
Senior Member
- Location
- New England
Install a relay.
- Location
- Placerville, CA, USA
- Occupation
- Retired PV System Designer
The magnetically actuated switches used for security are reed type switches with relatively small contact area, low heat conduction, and minimal spacing while open. The latter characteristic is particularly bad for switching DC.
Look for a mechanically activated switch (like used for closet lights, for example) that has contacts rated for at least 3A and most important rated for DC.
You can probably find higher current magnetic switches, but AFAIK they will be bigger and cost a lot more.
I figured the existing magnetic switch was under sized. I'll look into the closet switch. Good idea. Thanks.
- Location
- Placerville, CA, USA
- Occupation
- Retired PV System Designer
Just make sure that you find the interrupting current rating specifically for DC.
An AC current rating alone is not good enough for this application.
- Occupation
- Licensed Electrician
- Location
- Placerville, CA, USA
- Occupation
- Retired PV System Designer
Nice looking stuff.
Their published specs on the web site show up to 10A, but are also AC only. Maybe a call to them can get you a DC ratiing?
- Occupation
- Licensed Electrician
Maybe. I know they answer the phone.
- Location
- Placerville, CA, USA
- Occupation
- Retired PV System Designer
Looks like Better Switch only sells wholesale.
- Location
- Placerville, CA, USA
- Occupation
- Retired PV System Designer
You could probably still buy onesies from them if you have a retail sales tax ID. Or ask for a sample. :happyyes:
- Occupation
- Licensed Electrician
I get their stuff at my supply house. I just put the link there so you could see what it looked like.
Thanks.
- Location
- San Francisco Bay Area, CA, USA
- Occupation
- Electrical Engineer
Note that the magnet switch versions seem to all say "RESISTVE LOAD ONLY!" A Switch Mode Power Supply such as your LED driver is more of an inductive load. That doesn't mean thei switch will not work, but likely it will not be able to handle the full 10A as an inductive load. You are ofcouse no where near that, but it's worth asking about.
- Location
- Placerville, CA, USA
- Occupation
- Retired PV System Designer
It could also mean that they could not handle a variable resistance load like a tungsten filament that has a higher inrush voltage or a capacitor input power supply that may also have a higher peak current.
Some specs seem to clearly distinguish between "tungsten" and "resistance" loads.
- Location
- Massachusetts
It's not a problem, we don't read those directions anyway.
ptonsparky
Tom
- Occupation
- EC - retired
They are just another persons opinion.
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