How to wire 3 terminal green illuminated rocker switch?

[Kasterborus]

I just bought a rocker switch that has 3 terminals. It's rated for
125v on the switch and 12v on the lamp. Trouble is I don't know which
terminals are which. I can find lots of pictures on the internet, but
no wiring diagram.

http://69.84.145.60/Products/Lighted-Rocker--SPST-15A--at-125V--Lamp-12V--Green__30-552.aspx

Terminals are labelled, with 2 (1 & 2) terminals closer than the
third.

Anyone know how I wire this without frying the lamp?

Dave

 

[JeffM]

I just bought a rocker switch that has 3 terminals.
It's rated for 125v on the switch and 12v on the lamp.
Trouble is I don't know which terminals are which.
Dave

If you are going to be messing with electrical stuff,
you need to learn how to use a(n ohm) meter.

 

[Kasterborus]

If you are going to be messing with electrical stuff,
you need to learn how to use a(n ohm) meter.

OK so I measured the resistance and got 35 ohms between 2 pairs of
terminals, but 0 across only one pair - so would these be the
terminals to connect the 125v supply to?

This is a (hopefully educated) guess, confirmation would make me feel
better.

Dave

 

[JeffM]

[..]I measured[...]35 ohms between 2 pairs of terminals,
but 0 across only one pair - so would these be the
terminals to connect the 125v supply to?
Dave

Confirm by throwing the switch.

 

[Kasterborus]

[..]I measured[...]35 ohms between 2 pairs of terminals,
but  0 across only one pair - so would these be the
terminals to connect the 125v supply to?
Dave

Confirm by throwing the switch.

OK final question - I have a 12v DC line that I can connect to the
third (unused) terminal.

However I don't quite understand what is connected on the other side
of the lamp - the two other terminals are connected to an AC line, so
would I be able to use the 12v DC to supply the lamp?

I don't think it's possible, what do you think?

 

[JeffM]

[..]I measured[...]35 ohms between 2 pairs of terminals,
but ?0 across only one pair
- so would these be the terminals to connect the 125v supply to?

OK final question - I have a 12v DC line
that I can connect to the third (unused) terminal.
However I don't quite understand
what is connected on the other side of the lamp
- the two other terminals are connected to an AC line,
so would I be able to use the 12v DC to supply the lamp?

If I understand correctly, you are switching 120Vac.
So, NO. Don't do that. There is no obvious return path.

I don't see a practical path for the lamp existing.
You would have to use up 90% of the line voltage elsewhere
to get the bulb to work.
This also ASSuMEs there isn't the added complication
that the "lamp" is a LED with a low reverse breakdown voltage.

 

[ehsjr]

OK so I measured the resistance and got 35 ohms between 2 pairs of
terminals, but 0 across only one pair - so would these be the
terminals to connect the 125v supply to?

This is a (hopefully educated) guess, confirmation would make me feel
better.

Dave

The picture of your switch shows it is an SPST.
That means only 2 of the three terminals are connected to the
switch contact inside. One of those two terminals is also
connected to the the indicator light. The third terminal is
connected only to the indicator light.

With your ohmmeter, find the two terminals that measure 0 ohms
with the rocker in one position, and open circuit in the other
position. Those two terminals are for switching the 125 volts.
The remaining terminal (call it terminal C) connects to the
indicator bulb inside the switch. Terminal C measures 35 ohms
to one of the other terminals, regardless of the rocker switch
position. That terminal is connected to the bulb inside the switch.
The remaining terminal will measure 35 ohms to terminal C with
the rocker in one position, and it will measure open circuit
with the rocker in the opposite position.

A "schematic" of your switch looks like this:

/
o o-Bulb-o

The above "schematic" does not necessarily relate
to the physical position of the terminals on your
switch.

Ed

 

[Rich Grise]

[..]I measured[...]35 ohms between 2 pairs of terminals, but ?0 across
only one pair
- so would these be the terminals to connect the 125v supply to?

OK final question - I have a 12v DC line that I can connect to the third
(unused) terminal. However I don't quite understand
what is connected on the other side of the lamp
- the two other terminals are connected to an AC line,
so would I be able to use the 12v DC to supply the lamp?

If I understand correctly, you are switching 120Vac. So, NO. Don't do
that. There is no obvious return path.

I don't see a practical path for the lamp existing. You would have to
use up 90% of the line voltage elsewhere to get the bulb to work.
This also ASSuMEs there isn't the added complication that the "lamp" is
a LED with a low reverse breakdown voltage.

It's clearly the one against which he measured the 39 (or whatever it was)
ohms. That is, the lamp shares one terminal with one contact of the switch.

It will have to be wired in a way such that the common terminal is the
12V return, either with an isolated 12V or an isolated 115.

Apparently, in some countries, it's still legal to ground one side of the line.

And he should check if the lamp is an LED - 39 ohms sounds like a cold
incandescent.

Cheers!
Rich