MK three pole fan switch

[sparkwright]

Why do MK three pole fan switches work upside down?

(If you see what I mean.)

At a glance you think it's off, and it isn't.

No, I didn't get a shock (and I wasn't having a bath either).

 

[PrenticeBoyofDerry]

If you alter the cable lengths to the terminals on the isolator plate far enough, so you can make off your cable ends and terminate them to the isolator plate, whist bathing you may find that the isolator will work in most positions. This is not recommended whilst using your laptop or the OSG!

 

[Taylortwocities]

Why do MK three pole fan switches work upside down?

.

I think its MK's attempt to tell you that is an isolator used for maintenance and not a functional on/off switch.

I always mount them right next to the consumer unit, that way the isolator's position is the same as the mcbs etc

 

[martinxxxxxx]

Why do MK three pole fan switches work upside down?

.

I think its MK's attempt to tell you that is an isolator used for maintenance and not a functional on/off switch.

I always mount them right next to the consumer unit, that way the isolator's position is the same as the mcbs etc

 

[JohnW2]

Why do MK three pole fan switches work upside down?.

I think its MK's attempt to tell you that is an isolator used for maintenance and not a functional on/off switch.

I presume that has to be the reason - but I think for MK to do that unilaterally really is a bit dangerous - every other make of 3P fan switch/isolator I've seen has worked the other way around (i.e. as per a functional switch).

Kind Regards, John.

 

[EFLImpudence]

Is it because they are lockable?

It obviously would work the other way round but not so well.
Plastic ones are the same.

 

[JohnW2]

Is it because they are lockable?

Maybe - but I still think that for one manufacturer to do this unilaterally is potentially dangerous.

Kind Regards, John.

 

[EFLImpudence]

Maybe - but I still think that for one manufacturer to do this unilaterally is potentially dangerous.

Yes.

Possibly a solution for a problem that did not exist.

 

[JohnW2]

Maybe - but I still think that for one manufacturer to do this unilaterally is potentially dangerous.

Yes. Possibly a solution for a problem that did not exist.

Indeed. In fact, given that they all are intended as isolators rather than functional switches, I'm rather (actually very) surprised that they make them with 'rocker switches' (whichever way up) at all.

Kind Regards, John.

 

[sparkwright]

Many years ago most manufacturers changed which way up most switches worked, so when the lumpy bit is at the bottom the switch is off.

The MK light switches of the 50s and 60s would be a good example, as their design slightly changed so the switch worked the other way up.

 

[JohnW2]

Many years ago most manufacturers changed which way up most switches worked, so when the lumpy bit is at the bottom the switch is off.

I must admit that I cannot remember any 'rocker' type switches which were otherwise (with the earlier 'lever' types, up was always off in the UK). They certainly appear to all be like that now, with the one exception of this MK fan 'isolator'. True isolators are, of course, all now 'down is off', for safety reasons - and, IIRC, that is decreed by the regs.

Kind Regards, John.

 

[sparkwright]

Look at the old toggle switches. The bit sticking out when at the top is the off position.

 

[JohnW2]

Look at the old toggle switches. The bit sticking out when at the top is the off position.

I presume you're talking about what I was describing as a 'rocker' switch (i.e. like most modern plate switches - the old 'lever' type were much closer to traditional toggle switches) - in which case I can't recall ever having seen one that way around - I'll have to delve into my dusty 'archived accessories' box sometime

Merry Christmas.

Kind Regards, John.

 

[JohnW2]

Look at the old toggle switches. The bit sticking out when at the top is the off position.

It's just occurred to me that (a) I've nearly always used 2-way switches (saves keeping both types in stock!) - so it may actually have been me who decided to wire them so that the 'sticking out' bit was at the bottom in the 'off' position - and (b) that, of course, it also depends upon which way up one installs the switches (unlike the 3P ones we're talking about, it's very rare to have anything external dictating which way up they are installed!)!!

Kind Regards, John.