Higher Amp Rating at lower voltage ?

That switch is probably good for 2A at 25VDC. Any more, and the contacts may break into a steady arc.

.... Phil

No.It's dominated by the damage done by arcing at turn-off. The AC rating i s higher because the arc turns off within 10msec (at 50Hz, or 8.333msec at

The energy dumped in the separating metal surfaces has to be low enough tha t the surface doesn't melt, pit and erode, and that's essentially determine d by the current flowing through the contact and not much influenced by the voltage driving that current (as long as the voltage is high enough to sus tain the arc, which isn't much, once it has started).

Probably 1.5A or more at 28VDC, it should be in the data-sheet.

is higher because the arc turns off within 10msec (at 50Hz, or 8.333msec a t 60Hz).

hat the surface doesn't melt, pit and erode, and that's essentially determi ned by the current flowing through the contact and not much influenced by t he voltage driving that current (as long as the voltage is high enough to s ustain the arc, which isn't much, once it has started).

That makes sense.

Andy

If the load is mostly resistive, the low voltage safe DC current rating will be 3A. If it's substantially inductive, an opening contact can arc and, worst case, melt the contacts or the switch.

Is this a case where putting a capacitor across the switch contacts will help? (when the contacts open the capacitor allows current to flow for long enough so that the contacts are to far apart to arc when the cap is charged)

I had to use a magnifying glass, but switch has this on it.

It looks pretty heavy duty.

Why is there 3 lugs? Seems like only 2 are needed.

Andy

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A value of about 1uF is a good starting point, a R of about 1 ohm helps with high discharge currents when the same switch closes.

Not all circuit arrangements are happy with such a cap or RC in place.

..... Phil

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Plus it can do simple on-off as well.

.... Phil

We might encourage Andy to post on SEB. (Sci.electronics.basics) It's dead over there and his questions are basic.

George H.