Small IP rated toggle switch?

[Greenie9657]

Afternoon all,

I'm refurbing some outdoor lights that somebody once used by just plugging them in. What I want to do is permanently leave them plugged in, and on, but have a small toggle switch on the back of the light post. Can anyone recommend somewhere that stocks such switches? Preferably IP rated? I've tried maplin but the switches cost more than the lamp posts did!! Just something simple and discrete will do the job nicely.

Many thanks.

 

[ban-all-sheds]

And you can't switch them on/off at the socket?

What voltage are they?

 

[Robin0577]

Define small? If you want something IP rated and mains rated then anything smaller than this probably wont be up to the job...
http://cpc.farnell.com/apem/3631nf-2/switch-spst-ip67/dp/SW03158

 

[securespark]

Have you tried RS?

 

[ban-all-sheds]

I've tried maplin but the switches cost more than the lamp posts did!!

How much do you want to spend?

 

[ericmark]

I am sure you can assign an IP rating to any switch even if that rating is IP11 what you first need to decide is what IP rating you would like.

 

[333rocky333]

There are Ip rated ones used on commercial kitchen appliances usually all the wires are sealed in, try a catering website

 

[OwainDIYer]

You can get toggle switch covers

http://cpc.farnell.com/bulgin/sx0550-brass/toggle-switch-cover/dp/SW01127?categoryId=700000011742

Not sure of the IP rating though. There are others in that category for other manufacturers' switches.

 

[ban-all-sheds]

I am sure you can assign an IP rating to any switch even if that rating is IP11

Or even IP00

 

[ericmark]

Yes you have seen my point at least. In the regulations we see IPXXB or IP2X and IPXXD or IP4X and IP5X, IP44 and it would seem for outside sockets we do need IP44 however when we buy items for outside use IP56 is more common. Where there are more harsh conditions for example rotating wing aircraft blowing water at a greater than normal rate or flooding we may increase the IP rating right up to IP68.

In the example shown by BAS we can see at a glance the IP rating but normally one needs some one to have completed some tests and written on the item or paperwork the results.

However there is also common sense put a switch inside a bird nesting box type structure and even a switch for internal use is likely good enough in fact looking at LAP IP56 weatherproof range in the Electricfix catalogue one can see it's a standard socket inside a weatherproof box and likely any other device be it a FCU, or Switch would fit in the same box.

I am sure may others can also give stories of how a weatherproof box has been incorrectly mounted and was clearly not suitable for the job.

In the main switches for out door use are designed with a large distance between the operators hand and the switch contacts. They tend to be chunky in order to get that separation. Although I have used smaller switches with 12 and 24 volt equipment with seals there is a limited life with any seal so with 230 volt we tend to instead use some distance between finger and live part rather than seals.

Toggle switch boots

will reduce the ingress from the panel side of the switch but not from the underside of the panel so one can only assign a IP rating to the finished product not to the switch its self.

The picture shows how these boots are the final nut holding the switch but I have seen many fitted where the boot does not make contact with the panel so water could follow threads to get under the panel. http://uk.rs-online.com/web/p/toggle-switch-sealing-hoods/0321212/ The link shows how seals should be fitted but to be save the panel needs to be earthed of course.

 

[Taylortwocities]

Are we over-complicating this?
A standard outdoor switch will do just fine.
There's a whole selection here http://www.screwfix.com/c/electrical-lighting/outdoor-switches/cat3360010

 

[ban-all-sheds]

I want .. a small toggle switch on the back of the light post.

 

[Iggifer]

This one in particular if any

http://m.screwfix.com/p/bg-1-gang-2-way-single-pole-slim-weatherproof-switch/42402

 

[ban-all-sheds]

I want .. a small toggle switch on the back of the light post.

 

[ericmark]

I looked at the links I would not call them toggle switches they may well be weather proof switches but hardly a small toggle switch.