I bought a double pole switch for my router table. It says it can handle
20a/240v or 35a/120v.

Why would each pole be able to handle only 20a on 240v (with 120v on each
pole) but 35a on 120v? Or does it assume you are connecting the 120v to
both poles to get the greater capacity.

I wrote the company but got a reply that didn't really say anything.

Taxlover writes:

Why would each pole be able to handle only 20a on 240v (with 120v on
each pole) but 35a on 120v?

The limitation is on power, not current.

"Richard J Kinch" wrote in message
. ..
Taxlover writes:

Why would each pole be able to handle only 20a on 240v (with 120v on
each pole) but 35a on 120v?

The limitation is on power, not current.

But each pole only sees 120v when used for 240v.
Are you saying the limitation is on power going through the switch; whether
one pole is used for 120v or two are used for 240.

I would think that two poles could handle more power than one, but maybe
not.

Taxlover wrote:
I bought a double pole switch for my router table. It says it can handle
20a/240v or 35a/120v.

Why would each pole be able to handle only 20a on 240v (with 120v on each
pole) but 35a on 120v? Or does it assume you are connecting the 120v to
both poles to get the greater capacity.

I wrote the company but got a reply that didn't really say anything.


My guess is the reason is if the poles start to open at very slightly
different times you will have a 240V arc across the pole that opens
earlier. A higher voltage arc is harder to extinguish.

For the same reason you can't reliably parallel the 2 poles for 120V. If
one pole opens slightly early the other pole will interrupt the full 35A.

AC only switches (not intended for DC use) intentionally operate slowly
so zero crossings of the AC supply voltage help extinguish the arc. Slow
operation probably makes it more likely the poles will open at slightly
different times.

--
bud--

"bud--" wrote in message
.. .
Taxlover wrote:
I bought a double pole switch for my router table. It says it can handle
20a/240v or 35a/120v.

Why would each pole be able to handle only 20a on 240v (with 120v on each
pole) but 35a on 120v? Or does it assume you are connecting the 120v to
both poles to get the greater capacity.

I wrote the company but got a reply that didn't really say anything.


My guess is the reason is if the poles start to open at very slightly
different times you will have a 240V arc across the pole that opens
earlier. A higher voltage arc is harder to extinguish.

For the same reason you can't reliably parallel the 2 poles for 120V. If
one pole opens slightly early the other pole will interrupt the full 35A.

AC only switches (not intended for DC use) intentionally operate slowly so
zero crossings of the AC supply voltage help extinguish the arc. Slow
operation probably makes it more likely the poles will open at slightly
different times.

Okay, that makes sense. Thanks for explaining it simply.
My old tablesaw came with a 1hp relay and a 2hp motor. To help it along
they wired two poles in parallel, but eventually one fused. I suppose that
is the same problem you are describing.