Community Forums

vetplus40 · 05-10-2021, 08:23 AM

I am replacing a couple of rocker switches ( see thread seeking electrical advice for details). I found some at Lowes, but the sales guy said that they were AC rated and should not be used in an RV. The rating on the installed switch is rated for AC, so I am a bit confused. I found some at a nearby RV dealership rated for DC, but they are a bit pricey. Are the AC rated rockers st Lowes okay to use?

Jim_HiTek · 05-10-2021, 08:30 AM

Yes, it's fine to use. It's just a switch. Most likely it has a DC rating stamped right on it. Doesn't hurt to know what your DC current might be for the switch you'll be replacing, I'd wager it'll be low.

vetplus40 · 05-10-2021, 12:13 PM

The circuit is a 15 amp circuit. The AC rocker that was installled was rated was for 15 amps as well. The DC switch at the rv place is rated for 16 Amps.

Jim_HiTek · 05-10-2021, 01:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vetplus40

The circuit is a 15 amp circuit. The AC rocker that was installled was rated was for 15 amps as well. The DC switch at the rv place is rated for 16 Amps.

Any way you can measure the current that normally would run through that switch? That's what we need to make that decision. Knowing the ratings of the switches is fine, but doesn't tell us what the circuit is providing current wise. The lower the better because a 15 amp AC switch is NOT going to be able to handle a 16 amp DC circuit for long. It'll get hot. So, measure the circuit current and if it's under ~5 amp, sure, use any ol' 15 amp AC switch.

vetplus40 · 05-11-2021, 10:47 AM

Thanks for the info. The DC switch may be better, but the manufacturer put AC switches in the panel. As soon as I can locate an amp clamp, I will check the current draw.

Jim_HiTek · 05-11-2021, 11:46 AM

There're 2 kinds of amp clamps...the AC and the AC/DC. The AC/DC is quite a bit more expensive. And your circuit is DC. So using a DVM with a 20 amp (or even 10 amp) current range could be used and would be less expensive than buying a DC current clamp on. The vast majority of meters are 10 amp but they won't be damaged if you run a bit more through them. WM has them for $10 if you can't borrow one. It has the 10 amp current rating so what you'd do is hook it up nice and solid like and then go around and turn things on, write down the current, shut it off, and then move to the next item. After a while you'll have a survey of the current draw on that switch. Unlikely that it only runs one thing.