- #1
mnjlp27
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Can this be used safely?
Sorry for bothering you guys with such an easy question but it has started a huge debate on another forum. Since it deals with Electricity and is probably very simple, but we are all aquarium hobbiest's and dont' knowone REALLY knows the answer.
Here goes,
There is a switch beeing used for an auto-topoff device that is rated to have a maximum switching capacity of .28 amperes at 110VAC. This is a float switch made by www.madisonco.com and is part # M8000. This switch also has 22 Gauge leads on it. Ok, so people are using this switch to power on/off air pumps and power heads. The pumps and power heads usually do not draw more then 10 watts and are 110VAC devices. I know that under regular circumstances this switch will withstand the load, but if aftter the switch somewhere in the power head or air pump there was a short. Wouldn't that switch have to be able to withstand the entire load of the circuit? (15 amp Breaker?) My thought is that if there is a short then this switch would be the weakest link and could possible melt or start a fire. Also don't all switches on a 15 amp house circuit have to be able to withstand 15 amps then to avoid buring in the event of a short in that circuit? Any help would be great, I dont' want to see any fellow aquarium enthusiests get burned up in there sleep, especially since there is all the water...
Thanks,
Jeremiah
Sorry for bothering you guys with such an easy question but it has started a huge debate on another forum. Since it deals with Electricity and is probably very simple, but we are all aquarium hobbiest's and dont' knowone REALLY knows the answer.
Here goes,
There is a switch beeing used for an auto-topoff device that is rated to have a maximum switching capacity of .28 amperes at 110VAC. This is a float switch made by www.madisonco.com and is part # M8000. This switch also has 22 Gauge leads on it. Ok, so people are using this switch to power on/off air pumps and power heads. The pumps and power heads usually do not draw more then 10 watts and are 110VAC devices. I know that under regular circumstances this switch will withstand the load, but if aftter the switch somewhere in the power head or air pump there was a short. Wouldn't that switch have to be able to withstand the entire load of the circuit? (15 amp Breaker?) My thought is that if there is a short then this switch would be the weakest link and could possible melt or start a fire. Also don't all switches on a 15 amp house circuit have to be able to withstand 15 amps then to avoid buring in the event of a short in that circuit? Any help would be great, I dont' want to see any fellow aquarium enthusiests get burned up in there sleep, especially since there is all the water...
Thanks,
Jeremiah