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#1
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Lighted Switch
I have outside lights that are controlled by inside switches. The lights
cannot be seen from the inside. I have often left these lights on for days, inadvertently. I know there are illuminated switches that are lit when the lights are off. But I cannot find switches that are lit when the lights are *ON*. How can I tell when my outside lights are on? Thank you -- Walter www.rationality.net - |
#2
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Lighted Switch
Walter R. wrote:
I have outside lights that are controlled by inside switches. The lights cannot be seen from the inside. I have often left these lights on for days, inadvertently. I know there are illuminated switches that are lit when the lights are off. But I cannot find switches that are lit when the lights are *ON*. There are switches with small indicator lights; here's an example (found via a quick google search of "light switch" "pilot light"): http://www.smarthome.com/4246.html You should be able to find one locally. Ask for a switch/pilot light combination. How can I tell when my outside lights are on? Thank you -- The e-mail address in our reply-to line is reversed in an attempt to minimize spam. Our true address is of the form . |
#3
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Lighted Switch
CJT wrote:
Walter R. wrote: I have outside lights that are controlled by inside switches. The lights cannot be seen from the inside. I have often left these lights on for days, inadvertently. I know there are illuminated switches that are lit when the lights are off. But I cannot find switches that are lit when the lights are *ON*. There are switches with small indicator lights; here's an example (found via a quick google search of "light switch" "pilot light"): http://www.smarthome.com/4246.html You should be able to find one locally. Ask for a switch/pilot light combination. How can I tell when my outside lights are on? Thank you Hi, Even HD has it. You you use jumper on the switch either way you want. Tony |
#4
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Lighted Switch
"Walter R." wrote in message ... I have outside lights that are controlled by inside switches. The lights cannot be seen from the inside. I have often left these lights on for days, inadvertently. I know there are illuminated switches that are lit when the lights are off. But I cannot find switches that are lit when the lights are *ON*. How can I tell when my outside lights are on? If the switch light is off, the outside light is on. Bob |
#5
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Lighted Switch
Bob wrote:
"Walter R." wrote in message ... I have outside lights that are controlled by inside switches. The lights cannot be seen from the inside. I have often left these lights on for days, inadvertently. I know there are illuminated switches that are lit when the lights are off. But I cannot find switches that are lit when the lights are *ON*. How can I tell when my outside lights are on? If the switch light is off, the outside light is on. Bob Hi, How about making it come on/off by sunlight. On with sundown(dark), off with sun up(light). Some you can adjust sensitivity. There is even an adaptor which goes in between light socket and lamp. Tony |
#6
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Lighted Switch
In article , CJT wrote:
Walter R. wrote: I have outside lights that are controlled by inside switches. The lights cannot be seen from the inside. I have often left these lights on for days, inadvertently. I know there are illuminated switches that are lit when the lights are off. But I cannot find switches that are lit when the lights are *ON*. There are switches with small indicator lights; here's an example (found via a quick google search of "light switch" "pilot light"): http://www.smarthome.com/4246.html For regular toggle style, try the following part numbers ======= Leviton (15 amp) (clear) (red) (green) 1201-PLC 1201-PLR 1201-PLG (single pole) 1202-PLC 1202-PLR 1202-PLG (double pole) 1203-PLC 1203-PLR 12030PLG (3 way) (20 amp) (clear) (red) (green) 1221-PLC, 1221-PLR, 1221-PLG (single pole) 1222-PLC, 1222-PLR, 1222-PLG (double pole) 1223-PLC, 1223-PLR, 1223-PLG (3 way) ======== Bryant 4801-PLR120 (red 15 amp single pole) 4901-PLC120 (clear 20 amp single pole) 4901-PLG120 (green 20 amp single pole) 4901-PLR120 (red 20 amp single pole) 4903-PLC120 (clear 20 amp 3-way) 4903-PLG120 (green 20 amp 3-way) 4903-PLR120 (red 20 amp 3-way) 4902-PLG120 (red 20 amp double pole) Decora style 9901-PLI120 (ivory single pole 20 amp) 9901-PLW120 (white single pole 20 amp) 9903-PLI120 (ivory 3-way 20 amp) 9903-PLW120 (white 3-way 20 amp) -- -- Welcome My Son, Welcome To The Machine -- Bob Vaughan | techie @ tantivy.net | | P.O. Box 19792, Stanford, Ca 94309 | -- I am Me, I am only Me, And no one else is Me, What could be simpler? -- |
#7
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Lighted Switch
a double pole double throw switch and an indoor outlet switched by it
would allow any choices of lamps or nightlights to show power on indoors on one side of the circuit while illuminating the outdoor lights. alternative: an old outdoor van side view mirror might be mounted just outside your window to see down an alleyway or around a corner. |
#8
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Lighted Switch
Walter R. wrote:
I have outside lights that are controlled by inside switches. The lights cannot be seen from the inside. I have often left these lights on for days, inadvertently. I know there are illuminated switches that are lit when the lights are off. But I cannot find switches that are lit when the lights are *ON*. How can I tell when my outside lights are on? Thank you Easy cheap fix. Sneak out a bottle of your wife's red nail polish. Turn the switch on and then paint the part of the switch that is showing red. Now when the light is on you see red and when the light is off you don't. It's easy to see from a distance and catches your attention. -- Joseph Meehan Dia duit |
#9
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Lighted Switch
Walter R. wrote:
I have outside lights that are controlled by inside switches. The lights cannot be seen from the inside. I have often left these lights on for days, inadvertently. I know there are illuminated switches that are lit when the lights are off. But I cannot find switches that are lit when the lights are *ON*. How can I tell when my outside lights are on? Thank you Go to a real electrical store. I installed a switch for the attic light (located by the pull down stair) that has both a switch and light that illuminates when the switch is on. |
#10
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Lighted Switch
Tony said: "Even HD has it. You you use jumper on the switch either way
you want." I was so excited about this post, I took my cover plate off my recent HD-purchased Leviton lighted switch... only to find that there is no jumper. Hmmm, I guess I got the cheapy brand. I too wish my lighted switch would light when the light is on, not off. Seems backwards to me. kbmcdowell |
#11
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Lighted Switch
"kbmcdowell" wrote in message ups.com... Tony said: "Even HD has it. You you use jumper on the switch either way you want." I was so excited about this post, I took my cover plate off my recent HD-purchased Leviton lighted switch... only to find that there is no jumper. Hmmm, I guess I got the cheapy brand. I too wish my lighted switch would light when the light is on, not off. Seems backwards to me. Obviously, it's designed for room lights, where it helps you find the switch in the dark. Bob |
#12
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Lighted Switch
kbmcdowell wrote:
Tony said: "Even HD has it. You you use jumper on the switch either way you want." I was so excited about this post, I took my cover plate off my recent HD-purchased Leviton lighted switch... only to find that there is no jumper. Hmmm, I guess I got the cheapy brand. I too wish my lighted switch would light when the light is on, not off. Seems backwards to me. kbmcdowell The jumperable kind are the ones where the lamp is separate from the switch. These are fit a duplex outlet faceplate, with the switch in one of the outlet positions and the lamp in the other. Of course decora models exist too. The ones where the switch handle itself glows are hardwired either to be "illuminated switches" (glows when load is off) or "pilot light switches" (glows when load is on, which is what you want). Often they're 3-way because it's with 3-ways that you can't tell on from off by the position of the switch. Chip C |
#13
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Lighted Switch
kbmcdowell wrote:
Tony said: "Even HD has it. You you use jumper on the switch either way you want." I was so excited about this post, I took my cover plate off my recent HD-purchased Leviton lighted switch... only to find that there is no jumper. Hmmm, I guess I got the cheapy brand. I too wish my lighted switch would light when the light is on, not off. Seems backwards to me. kbmcdowell They're that way so you can see the switch in a darkened room (so you can turn the lights on, at which point there is no longer a need for the switch being lit). Another reason is that there's no need to connect the switch to neutral for it to work (leakage through the load is enough). -- The e-mail address in our reply-to line is reversed in an attempt to minimize spam. Our true address is of the form . |
#14
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Lighted Switch
On 2005-11-18, CJT wrote:
They're that way so you can see the switch in a darkened room (so you can turn the lights on, at which point there is no longer a need for the switch being lit). Another reason is that there's no need to connect the switch to neutral for it to work (leakage through the load is enough). So when such a switch is "off", it is not really off, it is leaking a little current through to the load? How much power does the switch use when "off"? Cheers, Wayne |
#15
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Lighted Switch
Pass and Seymour make "decorator-style" switches that do what you want:
Search for "pilot" in http://www.passandseymour.com/pdf/D02-08.pdf I couldn't find the particular ones I wanted in stock anywhere, not even at an electrical-supplies warehouse; they had to be special-ordered. Perce On 11/18/05 01:17 am Walter R. tossed the following ingredients into the ever-growing pot of cybersoup: I have outside lights that are controlled by inside switches. The lights cannot be seen from the inside. I have often left these lights on for days, inadvertently. I know there are illuminated switches that are lit when the lights are off. But I cannot find switches that are lit when the lights are *ON*. How can I tell when my outside lights are on? |
#16
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Lighted Switch
Wayne Whitney wrote:
On 2005-11-18, CJT wrote: They're that way so you can see the switch in a darkened room (so you can turn the lights on, at which point there is no longer a need for the switch being lit). Another reason is that there's no need to connect the switch to neutral for it to work (leakage through the load is enough). So when such a switch is "off", it is not really off, it is leaking a little current through to the load? How much power does the switch use when "off"? Cheers, Wayne Very little -- I think it's probably around 0.05 watt. You could research the power used by Ne-2 bulbs, which are, I think, similar to what's used, if you want a better number. -- The e-mail address in our reply-to line is reversed in an attempt to minimize spam. Our true address is of the form . |
#17
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Lighted Switch
In article ,
Wayne Whitney wrote: So when such a switch is "off", it is not really off, it is leaking a little current through to the load? How much power does the switch use when "off"? Many such lights use a NE-2 bulb which is 1/4 watt. -- Rich Greenberg Marietta, GA, USA richgr atsign panix.com + 1 770 321 6507 Eastern time. N6LRT I speak for myself & my dogs only. VM'er since CP-67 Canines:Val, Red & Shasta (RIP),Red, husky Owner:Chinook-L Atlanta Siberian Husky Rescue. www.panix.com/~richgr/ Asst Owner:Sibernet-L |
#18
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Lighted Switch
On 11/18/05 01:17 am Walter R. tossed the following ingredients into the ever-growing pot of cybersoup: I have outside lights that are controlled by inside switches. The lights cannot be seen from the inside. I have often left these lights on for days, inadvertently. I know there are illuminated switches that are lit when the lights are off. But I cannot find switches that are lit when the lights are *ON*. How can I tell when my outside lights are on? If this works for you, you could take it a step further and install one of these Leviton electronic timers. (see link below) The choices are 2, 4, 8, and 12 hours, plus it functions as a pilot light as well. No-one could ever leave the lights burning for more than one evening again. Now that would be cool. http://www.levitonproducts.com/catal... gle&ovtac=PI Beachcomber |
#19
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Lighted Switch
Chip C wrote:
CJT wrote: Wayne Whitney wrote: On 2005-11-18, CJT wrote: They're that way so you can see the switch in a darkened room (so you can turn the lights on, at which point there is no longer a need for the switch being lit). Another reason is that there's no need to connect the switch to neutral for it to work (leakage through the load is enough). So when such a switch is "off", it is not really off, it is leaking a little current through to the load? How much power does the switch use when "off"? Cheers, Wayne Very little -- I think it's probably around 0.05 watt. You could research the power used by Ne-2 bulbs, which are, I think, similar to what's used, if you want a better number. I have a pilot-light switch (light is separate from the switch handle), I'm pretty sure a Leviton, that says it's 1/35 W, which is under 0.03 W. Leviton doesn't seem to show this info for their lighted-handle switches on their web site. I'll bet it's less. Chip C Perhaps they don't say on the "lit while off" version" because it will vary (slightly) according to what it's hooked to. The current through an Ne-2 (or similar) will depend on its series resistor -- FWIW, my guesstimate was based on my recollection that we used to use 147k +/- resistors with them, and my further recollection that once fired the voltage across one is about 60V (leaving about 60V across the resistor) but if a brighter glow is desired a smaller value could be used. If my recollection proves wrong, I won't be surprised, because it hasn't been an issue for me in probably 20 years. -- The e-mail address in our reply-to line is reversed in an attempt to minimize spam. Our true address is of the form . |
#20
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Lighted Switch
CJT wrote:
Wayne Whitney wrote: On 2005-11-18, CJT wrote: They're that way so you can see the switch in a darkened room (so you can turn the lights on, at which point there is no longer a need for the switch being lit). Another reason is that there's no need to connect the switch to neutral for it to work (leakage through the load is enough). So when such a switch is "off", it is not really off, it is leaking a little current through to the load? How much power does the switch use when "off"? Cheers, Wayne Very little -- I think it's probably around 0.05 watt. You could research the power used by Ne-2 bulbs, which are, I think, similar to what's used, if you want a better number. FWIW, I stumbled upon my old GE Glow Lamp Manual today, and it has a table in the back listing nominal wattage for various versions. A standard brightness NE-2e/v/d is 1/15 watt. The high brightness NE-2h is 1/4 watt. -- The e-mail address in our reply-to line is reversed in an attempt to minimize spam. Our true address is of the form . |
#21
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Lighted Switch
CJT wrote:
... I stumbled upon my old GE Glow Lamp Manual today, and it has a table in the back listing nominal wattage for various versions. A standard brightness NE-2e/v/d is 1/15 watt. The high brightness NE-2h is 1/4 watt. It might be fun to make a PC with a roomful of NE-2s... an RC clock and lots of ring counters and flip flops :-) Nick |
#22
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Lighted Switch
On 25 Nov 2005 01:19:21 -0500, wrote:
CJT wrote: ... I stumbled upon my old GE Glow Lamp Manual today, and it has a table in the back listing nominal wattage for various versions. A standard brightness NE-2e/v/d is 1/15 watt. The high brightness NE-2h is 1/4 watt. It might be fun to make a PC with a roomful of NE-2s... an RC clock and lots of ring counters and flip flops :-) Nick I remember seeing a wris****ch made with NIXIE tubes. -- 30 days until the winter solstice celebration Mark Lloyd http://notstupid.laughingsquid.com "Democracy is two wolves and a lamb voting on what to have for lunch. Liberty is a well armed lamb contesting the vote." - Benjamin Franklin |
#23
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Lighted Switch
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