Acceptable "Light Switchs"

[docdavies]

Folks,

Would the following switch be allowed under the definition of "light switch". We found it in a hardware store where it was being touted as a replacement for a light switch in appliances.

Doc

[GaryVoshol]

The GDC defined "common household light switch" (not just any "light switch") here: http://forums.usfirst.org/showpost.p...86&postcount=2

Originally Posted by GDC

For the purposes of the 2011 competition, a common household light switch is any electrical switch that would normally be mounted in a wall outlet box with household wiring, typically available at a home supply center (e.g. Lowes or Home Depot).

Minor modifications of the switch (e.g. removing the mounting tabs) are permitted, as long as the basic structural integrity and overall safety of the switch are not compromised.

I think you'd better look for another switch.

[Mike Betts]

Doc,

The GDC has provided guidance in this area in numerous posts such as this and this and they have been fairly consistent about what their intention is.

The switch you have pictured may or may not be not what many inspectors would call a household light switch.

JMHO,

Mike

[RyanN]

How about a definition for a limit switch?

I've seen this kind of switched used in applications such as car doors, cabinets with lights inside.

But...

Only items sold as "limit switches" are allowed on the MINIBOT. Documentation and/or packaging material should be used to document items that may not be clearly identified as such.

Well technically, none of the switches on ITC Electronic's website are labeled as "Limit Switches."

However, I know for a fact that all of these switches are defined as limit switches on other sites. Particularly look at the panel mount plunger. Same mounting design as the one posted at top, just different form factor and more expensive than the one posted above.

But again, none of the switches from that website are labeled as "Limit Switches." However, if you go to another site (such as Mouser since that's probably a common supplier for many teams), they are labeled as "Basic / Snap Action / Limit Switches."

Does that mean that the same 'Snap Action Switch' from ITC is illegal, while the one from Mouser is sold as a 'Basic / Snap Action / Limit Switches' is legal?

Their definition for a 'Limit Switch' should be any switched used in such a way as to act as a limit switch.

I pointed out ITC because we just bought some switches from their site before the GDC posted their response. We bought 3 of those suckers at $7.26 a pop plus shipping. While that's not too expensive, that is now more money wasted by the GDC's lack of documentation.

This is the definition of limit switch that I go by most of the time:

Limit Switch – Limit switches are used to automatically stop a motor if it reaches the end of its travel area...

[MrForbes]

When will the GDC learn the difference between a physical description, and a functional description?

[dotbran]

Did I see something about functionality and the GDC? Strange, my sight must be going out