pic: Lamp_Switch

[Mike Betts]

Originally Posted by feverittm

While I appreciate this discussion, the answer really is 'it depends'. We were in Portland this past weekend and the definition was "household wall light switch". And before I get a lot of flames, I did very heavily argue that the GDC ruled that the 'wall' portion was not necessary and that lamp switches were valid. I was in heated discussions with 5 different inspectors including the head inspector, and they said that "they were told be New Hampshire to only accept wall light switches or Tetrix switches", the limit switches were acceptable however.

We had to scramble to change out our 'lamp' switch and replace it with a Tetrix switch to pass inspection.

Like I said ... It depends on who, what, and where you talk.

Floyd,

You were/are "almost" correct. From Team Update #12:

A note about “light switches” permitted on the MINIBOT:
We have previously stated in the Q&A that “light switches” are only “light switches” if they are commonly used in a wall mounting box. Rule R92-N, however, uses the language “common household light switches”; which can have a much broader interpretation. Given the discrepancy in specificity between R92 and the Q&A statements, we defer to the manual. 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. The Q&A answers will be revised.

I note that in your post you said "lamp" not "light". Had you produced any documentation at all stating that the switch was marketed as a "light" switch (and I am quite sure that such exists), you should have been golden.

Now, regarding the "New Hampshire" statement, I'll let Big Al comment as I was not there. However, I did review the PowerPoint presentations and can assure you that there were both outright errors and also "eventual" errors (due to rules changes). I find it hard to believe that any LRI used that as a basis to rule on the legality of anything.

JMHO,

Mike

[wilsonmw04]

just to piggy-back on what Mike said, I will have a copy of update #12 with us when we go for inspection along with all our documentation on our "light" switches." Honestly, I think it would have been so much clearer if they had just stayed with the wall box definition.

[Al Skierkiewicz]

Floyd,
Can you add a picture here?

Mike,
Training came well before the Update. At training we had minibots in hand with the switches pre-update so everyone had a good idea on what we were discussing.

[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.