Hi,

I am after a bank of at least three (preferably 4) switches on a
standard single sized light switch plate, where each switch has three
positions, the middle position can be off or be another contact closure.

This is running on 12v, controlling zones on an alarm, which then
controls various lighting.

One position will be off (centre position), one will be auto (the usual
off position) and one will be permanent on (the usual on position).

I have looked around, but can't seem to see anything suitable - any ideas?

Thanks :-)

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Toby...
Remove pants to reply

"Toby" wrote in message
...
Hi,

I am after a bank of at least three (preferably 4) switches on a standard
single sized light switch plate, where each switch has three positions,
the middle position can be off or be another contact closure.

This is running on 12v, controlling zones on an alarm, which then controls
various lighting.

One position will be off (centre position), one will be auto (the usual
off position) and one will be permanent on (the usual on position).

I have looked around, but can't seem to see anything suitable - any ideas?

Thanks :-)

--
Toby...
Remove pants to reply

You could always fit some centre-off toggles to a blanking plate.
Not pretty though.

"Toby" wrote in message
...
On 29/12/2012 22:59, brass monkey wrote:
"Toby" wrote in message
...
Hi,

I am after a bank of at least three (preferably 4) switches on a
standard
single sized light switch plate, where each switch has three positions,
the middle position can be off or be another contact closure.

This is running on 12v, controlling zones on an alarm, which then
controls
various lighting.

One position will be off (centre position), one will be auto (the usual
off position) and one will be permanent on (the usual on position).

I have looked around, but can't seem to see anything suitable - any
ideas?

Thanks :-)

--
Toby...
Remove pants to reply

You could always fit some centre-off toggles to a blanking plate.
Not pretty though.


Yea, not really in keeping with the rest of the house, so that's not going
to happen unfortunately!
Needs to be rocker type, in an ideal world brushed s/s with black
switches!

Good luck with that

On 29/12/2012 22:59, brass monkey wrote:
"Toby" wrote in message
...
Hi,

I am after a bank of at least three (preferably 4) switches on a standard
single sized light switch plate, where each switch has three positions,
the middle position can be off or be another contact closure.

This is running on 12v, controlling zones on an alarm, which then controls
various lighting.

One position will be off (centre position), one will be auto (the usual
off position) and one will be permanent on (the usual on position).

I have looked around, but can't seem to see anything suitable - any ideas?

Thanks :-)

--
Toby...
Remove pants to reply

You could always fit some centre-off toggles to a blanking plate.
Not pretty though.


Yea, not really in keeping with the rest of the house, so that's not
going to happen unfortunately!
Needs to be rocker type, in an ideal world brushed s/s with black switches!

--
Toby...
Remove pants to reply

On 29/12/2012 23:11, brass monkey wrote:
"Toby" wrote in message
...
On 29/12/2012 22:59, brass monkey wrote:
"Toby" wrote in message
...
Hi,

I am after a bank of at least three (preferably 4) switches on a
standard
single sized light switch plate, where each switch has three positions,
the middle position can be off or be another contact closure.

This is running on 12v, controlling zones on an alarm, which then
controls
various lighting.

One position will be off (centre position), one will be auto (the usual
off position) and one will be permanent on (the usual on position).

I have looked around, but can't seem to see anything suitable - any
ideas?

Thanks :-)

--
Toby...
Remove pants to reply

You could always fit some centre-off toggles to a blanking plate.
Not pretty though.


Yea, not really in keeping with the rest of the house, so that's not going
to happen unfortunately!
Needs to be rocker type, in an ideal world brushed s/s with black
switches!

Good luck with that

I suppose I could get a s/s blanking plate and cut these in...
http://cpc.farnell.com/arcolectric-s...j/1/dp/SW01556






--
Toby...
Remove pants to reply

"Toby" wrote in message
...
On 29/12/2012 23:11, brass monkey wrote:
"Toby" wrote in message
...
On 29/12/2012 22:59, brass monkey wrote:
"Toby" wrote in message
...
Hi,

I am after a bank of at least three (preferably 4) switches on a
standard
single sized light switch plate, where each switch has three
positions,
the middle position can be off or be another contact closure.

This is running on 12v, controlling zones on an alarm, which then
controls
various lighting.

One position will be off (centre position), one will be auto (the
usual
off position) and one will be permanent on (the usual on position).

I have looked around, but can't seem to see anything suitable - any
ideas?

Thanks :-)

--
Toby...
Remove pants to reply

You could always fit some centre-off toggles to a blanking plate.
Not pretty though.


Yea, not really in keeping with the rest of the house, so that's not
going
to happen unfortunately!
Needs to be rocker type, in an ideal world brushed s/s with black
switches!

Good luck with that

I suppose I could get a s/s blanking plate and cut these in...
http://cpc.farnell.com/arcolectric-s...j/1/dp/SW01556

Too wide, but these might do it -
http://uk.rs-online.com/web/p/rocker-switches/2596604/

"Toby" wrote in message
...
On 29/12/2012 23:11, brass monkey wrote:
"Toby" wrote in message
...
On 29/12/2012 22:59, brass monkey wrote:
"Toby" wrote in message
...
Hi,

I am after a bank of at least three (preferably 4) switches on a
standard
single sized light switch plate, where each switch has three
positions,
the middle position can be off or be another contact closure.

This is running on 12v, controlling zones on an alarm, which then
controls
various lighting.

One position will be off (centre position), one will be auto (the
usual
off position) and one will be permanent on (the usual on position).

I have looked around, but can't seem to see anything suitable - any
ideas?

Thanks :-)

--
Toby...
Remove pants to reply

You could always fit some centre-off toggles to a blanking plate.
Not pretty though.


Yea, not really in keeping with the rest of the house, so that's not
going
to happen unfortunately!
Needs to be rocker type, in an ideal world brushed s/s with black
switches!

Good luck with that

I suppose I could get a s/s blanking plate and cut these in...
http://cpc.farnell.com/arcolectric-s...j/1/dp/SW01556

2nd attempt to astraweb -

Too wide, but these might do it -
http://uk.rs-online.com/web/p/rocker-switches/2596604/

"Toby" wrote in message
...
On 29/12/2012 23:11, brass monkey wrote:
"Toby" wrote in message
...
On 29/12/2012 22:59, brass monkey wrote:
"Toby" wrote in message
...
Hi,

I am after a bank of at least three (preferably 4) switches on a
standard
single sized light switch plate, where each switch has three
positions,
the middle position can be off or be another contact closure.

This is running on 12v, controlling zones on an alarm, which then
controls
various lighting.

One position will be off (centre position), one will be auto (the
usual
off position) and one will be permanent on (the usual on position).

I have looked around, but can't seem to see anything suitable - any
ideas?

Thanks :-)

--
Toby...
Remove pants to reply

You could always fit some centre-off toggles to a blanking plate.
Not pretty though.


Yea, not really in keeping with the rest of the house, so that's not
going
to happen unfortunately!
Needs to be rocker type, in an ideal world brushed s/s with black
switches!

Good luck with that

I suppose I could get a s/s blanking plate and cut these in...
http://cpc.farnell.com/arcolectric-s...j/1/dp/SW01556

Jesus H, 3rd attempt to astraweb -

Too wide, but these might do it -
http://uk.rs-online.com/web/p/rocker-switches/2596604/

Make your own? There are lots of three position toggle type mini switches
about. Of course most tend to be solder contacts.

Brian

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graphics are great, but the blind can't hear them
Email:
__________________________________________________ __________________________________________________ __________


"Toby" wrote in message
...
Hi,

I am after a bank of at least three (preferably 4) switches on a standard
single sized light switch plate, where each switch has three positions,
the middle position can be off or be another contact closure.

This is running on 12v, controlling zones on an alarm, which then controls
various lighting.

One position will be off (centre position), one will be auto (the usual
off position) and one will be permanent on (the usual on position).

I have looked around, but can't seem to see anything suitable - any ideas?

Thanks :-)

--
Toby...
Remove pants to reply

On 29/12/2012 22:59, Toby wrote:
Hi,

I am after a bank of at least three (preferably 4) switches on a
standard single sized light switch plate, where each switch has three
positions, the middle position can be off or be another contact closure.

This is running on 12v, controlling zones on an alarm, which then
controls various lighting.

One position will be off (centre position), one will be auto (the usual
off position) and one will be permanent on (the usual on position).

I have looked around, but can't seem to see anything suitable - any ideas?

Thanks :-)


I think mk make a 3 position grid switch, if 20A is enough. 8-)

On 30/12/2012 00:07, Owain wrote:
On Dec 29, 10:59 pm, Toby wrote:
Hi,

I am after a bank of at least three (preferably 4) switches on a
standard single sized light switch plate, where each switch has three
positions, the middle position can be off or be another contact closure.

MK Gridswitch K4899 is a 20 Amp Sp 2 Way and Centre Off Grid Switch

http://www.tlc-direct.co.uk/Products/MKK4899.html

4 switches will be a double sized plate though.

Owain



Also
http://cpc.farnell.com/jsp/displayProduct.jsp?sku=PL00663&CMP=e-2072-00001000

http://www.mkelectric.com/Documents/English/EN%20MK%20Technical%20Specifications/T18%20GRID%20PLUS%20Tech%20590-595.pdf

http://tinyurl.com/d7olv2y
http://tinyurl.com/c5awmqo

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On 30/12/2012 00:07, Owain wrote:
On Dec 29, 10:59 pm, Toby wrote:
Hi,

I am after a bank of at least three (preferably 4) switches on a
standard single sized light switch plate, where each switch has three
positions, the middle position can be off or be another contact closure.

MK Gridswitch K4899 is a 20 Amp Sp 2 Way and Centre Off Grid Switch

http://www.tlc-direct.co.uk/Products/MKK4899.html

4 switches will be a double sized plate though.

Owain

Thanks for the link, but it has to be in a single box, as there isn't
enough wall to open it out to a double, and I don't want to add more
singles, there is already two

Looks like I will need to make my own with a blanking plate.

--
Toby...
Remove pants to reply

On Saturday, December 29, 2012 10:59:11 PM UTC, Toby wrote:
Hi,



I am after a bank of at least three (preferably 4) switches on a

standard single sized light switch plate, where each switch has three

positions, the middle position can be off or be another contact closure.



This is running on 12v, controlling zones on an alarm, which then

controls various lighting.



One position will be off (centre position), one will be auto (the usual

off position) and one will be permanent on (the usual on position).



I have looked around, but can't seem to see anything suitable - any ideas?


You can do it on the Click minigrid system. Only 3 switches in a single sized plate, but they do brushed SS and black switches.
You'd need a 403 plate, and MD070BN or MD070BK switches.
http://www.downlightsdirect.co.uk/im...2/minigrid.pdf

A

In article , Toby
writes
On 30/12/2012 00:07, Owain wrote:
On Dec 29, 10:59 pm, Toby wrote:
Hi,

I am after a bank of at least three (preferably 4) switches on a
standard single sized light switch plate, where each switch has three
positions, the middle position can be off or be another contact closure.

MK Gridswitch K4899 is a 20 Amp Sp 2 Way and Centre Off Grid Switch

http://www.tlc-direct.co.uk/Products/MKK4899.html

4 switches will be a double sized plate though.

Owain

Thanks for the link, but it has to be in a single box, as there isn't
enough wall to open it out to a double, and I don't want to add more
singles, there is already two

Looks like I will need to make my own with a blanking plate.

Just one warning note:

Sounds like you might be switching logic levels with these so watch out
for oxidisation of the contacts causing problems in the future. Mains
switches will generally use robust copper or silver alloys that can
stand a little arcing when contacts make or break but which can grow
insulating oxide if used at low current levels. Low voltages and
currents won't burn off the oxide layer leaving you with what appears to
be a duff contact. Best solution is gold plated contacts but they will
be even rarer than the ones that you and others have found. An
alternative is to switch a 'wetting current' that is higher than
actually required to do the job but I'm not up on what might be a
suitable level for a given contacts material.
--
fred
it's a ba-na-na . . . .

On 30/12/2012 08:21, andrew wrote:
On Saturday, December 29, 2012 10:59:11 PM UTC, Toby wrote:
Hi,



I am after a bank of at least three (preferably 4) switches on a

standard single sized light switch plate, where each switch has three

positions, the middle position can be off or be another contact closure.



This is running on 12v, controlling zones on an alarm, which then

controls various lighting.



One position will be off (centre position), one will be auto (the usual

off position) and one will be permanent on (the usual on position).



I have looked around, but can't seem to see anything suitable - any ideas?


You can do it on the Click minigrid system. Only 3 switches in a single sized plate, but they do brushed SS and black switches.
You'd need a 403 plate, and MD070BN or MD070BK switches.
http://www.downlightsdirect.co.uk/im...2/minigrid.pdf

A


Brilliant! thanks Andrew, just what I was looking for :-)

--
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Remove pants to reply

On 30/12/2012 11:07, fred wrote:
In article , Toby
writes
On 30/12/2012 00:07, Owain wrote:
On Dec 29, 10:59 pm, Toby wrote:
Hi,

I am after a bank of at least three (preferably 4) switches on a
standard single sized light switch plate, where each switch has three
positions, the middle position can be off or be another contact
closure.

MK Gridswitch K4899 is a 20 Amp Sp 2 Way and Centre Off Grid Switch

http://www.tlc-direct.co.uk/Products/MKK4899.html

4 switches will be a double sized plate though.

Owain

Thanks for the link, but it has to be in a single box, as there isn't
enough wall to open it out to a double, and I don't want to add more
singles, there is already two

Looks like I will need to make my own with a blanking plate.

Just one warning note:

Sounds like you might be switching logic levels with these so watch out
for oxidisation of the contacts causing problems in the future. Mains
switches will generally use robust copper or silver alloys that can
stand a little arcing when contacts make or break but which can grow
insulating oxide if used at low current levels. Low voltages and
currents won't burn off the oxide layer leaving you with what appears to
be a duff contact. Best solution is gold plated contacts but they will
be even rarer than the ones that you and others have found. An
alternative is to switch a 'wetting current' that is higher than
actually required to do the job but I'm not up on what might be a
suitable level for a given contacts material.

Indeed, that are connecting to alarm zones, so yes, lo voltages are low
currents, I will have to see how it goes, as I cant really adjust the
voltage/current without bringing in another layer.

Thanks for the heads up though.
--
Toby...
Remove pants to reply

In article , Toby
writes
On 30/12/2012 11:07, fred wrote:

Sounds like you might be switching logic levels with these so watch out
for oxidisation of the contacts causing problems in the future. Mains
switches will generally use robust copper or silver alloys that can
stand a little arcing when contacts make or break but which can grow
insulating oxide if used at low current levels. Low voltages and
currents won't burn off the oxide layer leaving you with what appears to
be a duff contact. Best solution is gold plated contacts but they will
be even rarer than the ones that you and others have found. An
alternative is to switch a 'wetting current' that is higher than
actually required to do the job but I'm not up on what might be a
suitable level for a given contacts material.

Indeed, that are connecting to alarm zones, so yes, lo voltages are low
currents, I will have to see how it goes, as I cant really adjust the
voltage/current without bringing in another layer.

Someone posted a link to some rockers at RS Components up-thread a bit.
If you follow that link and go back up the selection tree from there
(shocking site!), narrow down the range to on-off-on switches then
you'll get about 40 switches. The are some really small ones rated 20
odd V ac/dc and 0.4A that the data shows are gold plated and will do the
job but you'd need to cut them into a faceplate and be very neat about
it. The other switches from the same manufacturer, including paddle
toggles, might do too but the data shows that only part of the range is
gold plated so beware.
--
fred
it's a ba-na-na . . . .

On 30/12/2012 17:45, fred wrote:

Someone posted a link to some rockers at RS Components up-thread a bit.
If you follow that link and go back up the selection tree from there
(shocking site!), narrow down the range to on-off-on switches then
you'll get about 40 switches. The are some really small ones rated 20
odd V ac/dc and 0.4A that the data shows are gold plated and will do the
job but you'd need to cut them into a faceplate and be very neat about
it. The other switches from the same manufacturer, including paddle
toggles, might do too but the data shows that only part of the range is
gold plated so beware.


Consider also slide switches available from the RS site
Alternatives can be found at CPC, Rapid, Maplin.

http://cpc.farnell.com/
http://www.rapidonline.com/
http://www.maplin.co.uk/

With slide switches just look out for the method of fixing, some are
designed to fit a circuit board but others have tapped fixing holes for
mounting to panels.




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