How do I wire a power switch? *New question* help me find a switch

[ivwshane]

I sort of asked this in another thread but I didn't get a response so I'll post this question on it's own.

I want to cut off the end of a power strip and connect it to a plug and a switch and then use an extension cord to plug into that and the wall.

I have two questions regarding this setup:

First, is a switch a switch? Do I need to be concerned with how much voltage or amps a switch supports or does it not matter?

Second, how do I wire the switch and the plug? My confusion is that the switch contains four posts instead of the usual three.

[Blanka]

A fused switch like you picture is often capable of 400V AC for all the current 1 electricity group can deliver (15 amp or so). But you can always check the supplier, they mostly have specs available (especially in the online stores). Good thing to check is the type of solder-terminals on the back. If they are 6mm wide standard terminals, the switch is probably made for AC power.

[Luigi]

In most cases it switches both cables (black and blue?) of the power cord, the third (yellow/green) is GDN....do not switch that one!!

You have to find out the connectors that belong together and then solder the wires to them.


@blanka: where do you see a fuse?? 

[ivwshane]

Both the switch and the male plug came from an old pc power supply.
The switch itself says it's rated for 10A@125v (so it should be good right?)
The male plug is rated at 15A @250V

It's probably only throwing me off because I haven't cut the power strip cord yet (I just bought it and it's a smart strip:o) so I don't know exactly how many wires I'm dealing with. But I'm just trying to picture how I will connect all the wires to the switch and how to connect the wires from the plug to the switch.

[Blanka]

@blanka: where do you see a fuse?? 

It's a switch I see it now. In the miniature image it looked like the fuse position 

[ivwshane]

Anyone have any answers for me?

I'd prefer to know what I'm doing before I cut up a brand new power strip

[garnerb350]

Ivwshane.... Don't trust me on this, I'm not an electrician...

But the power strip is usually plugged into a wall....so if you cut the end off and wire it to a plug
(correctly) it should run...now if you are wanting to hook that to a switch...you can just buy a a socket/switch plug and wire the power cord to the switch side of the socket. My father-in law helped me hook up a power strip in my workshed similar to that...I have a power strip that is constantly on and when i flick the switch my lights in the building come on.

You could have the current run into the socket part and wire the powerswitch into the switch part.

Before you try this...use an old regular power strip...

PS I am not liiable for damages to your person ( just wanted to get that out to everybody beforehand)

[ivwshane]

Thanks

I know it will work but I just don't know how I'm supposed to wire it. Does it get wired like a normal wall plate light switch? What does each post on the back of the switch correspond to?

I guess that's what I really need to know, what goes to what on the back of the switch?

[harry]

You need to know what type of switch it is. If it doesn't say on the switch then get a meter and check it out.

Assuming this is a Double Pole Single Throw (DPST) switch:

Find out which colored wires are hooked to hot and neutral on the power strip. The wide blade is neutral and the narrow blade is hot. Hook them to one end of the switch.

Same applies to the power jack. Wide blade is neutral and narrow blade is hot. Hook them to the other end of the switch.

Hook the ground wire from the power strip directly to the ground on the power jack.

If this is not a DPST switch then you need other advice.

[ivwshane]

Sweet thanks!!
It is a dpst because it has four posts.

It's labeled:

   1a  2a
   1    2

Is 1a and 2a a set (meaning source X would connect to 1a and 2a and source y would connect to 1 and 2)) or does it usually mean 1 and 1a are a set?

I'm guessing it's the latter based on the specification sheet I download which had this pic in it:

[harry]

Can you provide a link for the spec sheet? Thanks.

[ivwshane]

It's here:
http://www.switchchannel.com/switches/rocker%20switches/mr21/Rocker_MR21.pdf

But I think I have it figured out! Your information gave me the little piece of info I was missing.

[harry]

Very good. 

[ivwshane]

So I have been happy with my setup for the most part except for one thing. After I turn on my cab and then turn it off through windows I then need to press the switch in the off position before I can turn it on again.

I would like to install a momentary rocker switch instead which would then allow me to only have to turn the cab on.

Can anyone help me find a switch that will do that and allow me to drop it into place with the one I currently have? I've searched for it on google but I don't know enough to know what exact switch will work/replace my existing setup.

Thanks.

[Vicious Burger]

So I have been happy with my setup for the most part except for one thing. After I turn on my cab and then turn it off through windows I then need to press the switch in the off position before I can turn it on again.

I would like to install a momentary rocker switch instead which would then allow me to only have to turn the cab on.

Can anyone help me find a switch that will do that and allow me to drop it into place with the one I currently have? I've searched for it on google but I don't know enough to know what exact switch will work/replace my existing setup.

Thanks.

This should work for you. I'm going to install a button/switch to turn on my PC in the cabinet without opening it. I did a test yesterday,rerouted the wires from the front of the PC > motherboard and hooked them up to a spare arcade button/microswitch and it works. I just need to install it on the back of my control panel. I assume this would work for your need also.

[mlalena]

This is a bit off topic for your current question, but you don't really have a power cord with male connectors at both ends as shown in your first post? If so, you should look at correcting that at the same time. While it might technically work, it is dangerous because no one else but you would realize that the male end of the wire could be live.

[ivwshane]

So I have been happy with my setup for the most part except for one thing. After I turn on my cab and then turn it off through windows I then need to press the switch in the off position before I can turn it on again.

I would like to install a momentary rocker switch instead which would then allow me to only have to turn the cab on.

Can anyone help me find a switch that will do that and allow me to drop it into place with the one I currently have? I've searched for it on google but I don't know enough to know what exact switch will work/replace my existing setup.

Thanks.

This should work for you. I'm going to install a button/switch to turn on my PC in the cabinet without opening it. I did a test yesterday,rerouted the wires from the front of the PC > motherboard and hooked them up to a spare arcade button/microswitch and it works. I just need to install it on the back of my control panel. I assume this would work for your need also.

That would work but I want absolutely no power going to my cab when it's off. When I turn the switch to the off position there is no power in the cab at all (no motherboard status light, nothing).

[ivwshane]

This is a bit off topic for your current question, but you don't really have a power cord with male connectors at both ends as shown in your first post? If so, you should look at correcting that at the same time. While it might technically work, it is dangerous because no one else but you would realize that the male end of the wire could be live.

Yeah I'm not sure why I drew it like that but the cord is a stand pc power cord male/female.

[Vicious Burger]

So I have been happy with my setup for the most part except for one thing. After I turn on my cab and then turn it off through windows I then need to press the switch in the off position before I can turn it on again.

I would like to install a momentary rocker switch instead which would then allow me to only have to turn the cab on.

Can anyone help me find a switch that will do that and allow me to drop it into place with the one I currently have? I've searched for it on google but I don't know enough to know what exact switch will work/replace my existing setup.

Thanks.

This should work for you. I'm going to install a button/switch to turn on my PC in the cabinet without opening it. I did a test yesterday,rerouted the wires from the front of the PC > motherboard and hooked them up to a spare arcade button/microswitch and it works. I just need to install it on the back of my control panel. I assume this would work for your need also.

That would work but I want absolutely no power going to my cab when it's off. When I turn the switch to the off position there is no power in the cab at all (no motherboard status light, nothing).

I know what you're saying,i was just saying that it should be possible to apply this method to your application.