pic: Lamp_Switch

[MrHance]

"I think I may have exaggerated, but it's mostly a question of interpretation; when I hear the term "common household light switch", I think of the typical light switch found as a part of a house that controls a light in the house. A desk lamp switch just doesn't seem to me like a "household light switch". I know there are questions in the Q&A about the non-slip pad, and the GDC has ruled that only materials marketed as a pad with non-slip properties are allowed. This lamp switch isn't really marketed as a common household light switch."

In reference to the above comment. I would refer that the switch in question is indeed used in household application as it is used in some light fixtures in the bathroom, bedroom and kitchen (on the exhaust hood above the stove). This would make it a household common light switch.

Past observations living in many apartments and house over the last 40 years or so.

[thefro526]

I bought four of these from Home Depot Yesterday.

The Back of the packaging says "For lamp and lighting fixtures" - I'm pretty sure it's a light switch.

[sanddrag]

There should be no "this is really pushing it, but we'll allow it" with the rules. A switch is either for a household lamp/light or isn't. It's not a matter of anyone's opinion. This switch is. See the description.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000HEFDMY

Also, see Team Update 12.

[Carlinh]

I know of 1 team that used this type of switch at Waterford and was warned not to show up at their next competetion with the same switch unless they could show that is was a light switch and not a lamp switch!!! So beware!!

[Al Skierkiewicz]

Guys,
We inspect to the rules and interpretations given us by the GDC. Our direction is in TU#12...

Therefore, “light switches” permitted on the MINIBOT are not confined to those used in wall mounting boxes; anything sold as a “light switch” for household use is allowed.

If it says "lightswitch" on the box, card, bin, or website and you can show that the label stating "lightswitch" matches the switch you are using, we must pass it.

[TD912]

Our team's minibot used a similar switch. We passed inspection at the NYC Regional. We brought the packaging that said something like "Toggling lamp light switch" just in case, but we didn't have any issues with the inspectors.

[Team#2057-Vegas]

Team 2057 used this exact switch.. its with the "special switches" at home depot. It was successful for our minibot but BE CAREFUL.. it does take a lotta force to push it in.

Best of luck

2057

[El Geffe]

I glad this is deemed acceptable, because as TheOtherGuy said we did have some difficulty proving that several parts of our minibot were legal, including this exact light switch and some non-slip pad we usually use as tire tread.

it does take a lotta force to push it in.

Really? We didn't have any trouble pushing it in. In fact' we hit the top so hard once it bust the switch right out of the plastic casing.

[clayman]

Instead of using a switch, we just used 5A fuses on the minibot - it's a bit of a pain to switch them each time (they blow as soon as the motors try to drive through the top of the pole), but we don't have to deal with any... switch

[TheOtherGuy]

Originally Posted by clayman

Instead of using a switch, we just used 5A fuses on the minibot - it's a bit of a pain to switch them each time (they blow as soon as the motors try to drive through the top of the pole), but we don't have to deal with any... switch

How long would it take for a 5 amp auto-reset fuse to reset? I wonder if that's a possible solution to ensuring the tower is triggered...

EDIT: then again, it needs to be an equivalent type fuse to the Tetrix one. Oh well...

[Teched3]

good find, and good post. will certainly help some teams. Any idea how much force is needed to push the switch on/off?

[Steve_Alaniz]

Originally Posted by clayman

Instead of using a switch, we just used 5A fuses on the minibot - it's a bit of a pain to switch them each time (they blow as soon as the motors try to drive through the top of the pole), but we don't have to deal with any... switch

Wow! What a great idea! Way to think out of the box!


Steve

[PayneTrain]

I can't speak for the team truthfully, but 88 appeared to be using that exact switch on their minibot in Baltimore.

If you are a direct drive under 5 pounds, you should be dandy.

[MikeE]

Originally Posted by PayneTrain

I can't speak for the team truthfully, but 88 appeared to be using that exact switch on their minibot in Baltimore.

If you are a direct drive under 5 pounds, you should be dandy.

Yes, team 88 uses the same toggling light switch (either from Home Depot or Lowe's). We can also confirm that it is possible to hit the top so hard that the switch mechanism is driven through the back of the switch housing. We added a bolt as a mechanical stop to prevent that from happening.

[Mr V]

In Seattle and Portland similar switches were/are on many minibots. That passed inspection w/o issues.

There was a team that had a universal headlight switch (along with some resistors) but we got that changed before inspection.