Thank you in advance for any help you can give. This is really my first project like this. I built a shelf in my house based on this picture.
and I'm integrating an Eddison bulb lamp into the project for some lighting. I've decided I want the light to be operated by a switch and I was looking to purchase a small push button that could be screwed into the piping I'm using for the shelving and I could run all the wiring in the pipes to "hide it".
I'm looking to use this Switch (for sale on Amazon) which has the following properties, wiring diagram, and an integrated LED to operate the on/off function of the Eddison bulb.
(Switch Properties)
Switch rating:5A/250VAC
Switch combination:1NO1NC
Operation types:Self-locking
I did some preliminary digging to find a compatible wiring diagram for the switch but cannot find the voltage/amperage settings for the switch's integrated LED. Similar switches from the manufacturer with integrated LEDs I have seen have the LED rated at (LED voltage: 12V). I'm assuming this is 12v DC but i guess i'm only 99.99% certain.
I guess my questions are as follows:
(1) can anyone tell me if the LED is likely 12v DC (is this a stupid question?) and if so, suggest a way to wire in a converter or how I should wire in the LED so that I can fit into the shelf piping and wire it into the same line powering the Edison bulb? I'm just confused as to how a switch rated for 5a/250v ac would have a 12v (presumably dc) LED on it and how to wire or integrate it into the wiring for the switch itself if I have 120v running through the switch.
(2) is it possible to wire the LED light in such a way that when the Eddison bulb is on, the integrated LED is off and vice versa?
(3) if the amperage coming off the wall is 15/20A as most sockets are, do I need to wire in a resistor to the switch to make sure it's not damaged or will it be okay?
Best Answer
The easiest way to find out if the LED already has a suitable resistor inside the switch for a 12 Vdc supply is to assume that it doesn't.
Add a suitable resistor in series, power the LED & resistor from a 12 Vdc power source, then measure the voltage across the LED terminals in the switch.
If the LED does NOT have a suitable resistor internal to the switch, the voltage across the LED terminals will be anywhere from 1.7 to 3.4 Vdc, depending upon the colour of the LED and the LED will be fairly bright.
If the LED does have a resistor inside the switch body, the voltage across the LED terminals will be substantially higher - 6 Vdc or more and the LED will be dimmer than it should be.