The NEW Build Your Own Arcade Controls
Main => Main Forum => Topic started by: csa3d on November 10, 2007, 10:37:46 pm
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Maybe this is a dumb question, but at least if it is, I've left a trail for others on the forum to find through searching.
Given that the NovaMatrix requires 12v. of power (black+yellow off of the power supply), if I wanted to wire an on/off switch in series, what do I need to look for in a switch? A voltage rating? I want to make sure I don't create a fire hazard nor burn out a switch not properly rated.
Thanks!
-csa
*Edit* Would one like this from RadioShack (http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2062523&cp=&sr=1&origkw=rocker+switch&kw=rocker+switch&parentPage=search) do the trick? Rated 10 amps at 125VAC or 250VAC.
(http://rsk.imageg.net/graphics/product_images/pRS1C-2160432w345.jpg)
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That switch will handle all the Novamatrix units you want to connect to it. Seriously you can connect at least 20 of them to it and still not exceed 10 amps. The voltage ratings are max so 12 VDC is fine.
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Yeah, the novamatrix said it was rated at .4amps (400mA). So if I'm understanding this, the only thing which really matters is that the total amount of amps (which you get by adding together all the connected devices?) does not exceed the rating of the power switch itself?
This hobby.. always learning something!
Thanks
-csa
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Well actually amps and volts must be considered together. .4 amps at 12volts is comparable to .04 amps at 120 volts, so a switch rated for 10 amps at 120 could theoretically control 250 Nova-Matrix lights running on 12volts.
THIS IS NOT TO IMPLY THAT YOU COULD HOOK UP 250 NOVA-MATRIX LIGHTS TO 120VAC AND HAVE IT WORK. Unless you used a bridge rectifier and wired them in series, I think. >:D
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I had that exact same question. Thanks for asking. :) I actually wanted to do a number of those to control various lighting effects and maybe fans too.
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You do not use the same correlation of volts and amps in switch ratings as in power ratings. For example a switch rated at 120 V and 10 amps CANNOT be used for 12V at 100 amps. The switch will melt.
This can be show by looking at the example of a single pole toggle switch with the following ratings.
Single pole toggle switches are rated: 10A/277V AC; 20A/125V AC; 21A/14V DC; 3/4 HP 125-250V AC
The DC rating in amps is very close at 125V ac and 14V dc.
I think that the ratings are related to the I squared R loss for the contact resistance of the particular switch.
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Good to know, and thanks for pointing that out. Not that I had much intention of using a switch that way, but it's good to know.
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Shouldn't it be the difference between continuous or not? I just remember using a specific switch that may not work like the first picture.
Though it is cool to put it all through a separate power supply. Lots of wire to work with.