110v - low voltage for switches

All-

I’m looking at wiring my 110v items (mostly electric tools) into a box, and want to have covered toggle switches for safety.

Here are the switches I’m looking at:

https://www.sparkfun.com/products/11310 … gQodzbcDJA

Relay (up to 220vAC, 20A)

https://www.sparkfun.com/products/10924

Another Relay, amps only up to 5

https://www.sparkfun.com/products/100

Which relay would work to wire up the electric tools? I’m also looking at a 3-gang electric box and I’ll drill the cover for the switches. Thanks!

v/r

MC

I’m confused. I’m guessing that you are trying to use a 12 volt power supply to supply power to a switch that controls a relay that controls a tool. Why not just try to find 110vac/20A covered switches? Perhaps Digikey, Mouser, or Grainger would have them.

Yea, we would need more info on your project. How many tools, what are there specs and what is the end result you’re looking for…? It also seems like you don’t know much about 110V AC wiring and circuits, this can be very dangerous.

Right, I want to have cool “fighter pilot” toggle switches so no one can just turn the tools off.

The tools are my miter saw, drill, table saw, etc, and all are 110v. I want to have 1 main switch for all, then sub-switches for individual tools. That way, it would take two separate switching to run the tool.

After looking at mouser.com, quickly, I wouldn’t need a relay, right? I just wanted to have illuminated toggle switches with covers–the great looking ones that have covers available on sparkfun.

I’m not a pro about relays, etc, but I’ve had several homes and I replace/rewire 110. I’ve been a labor guy at a few factories, but they don’t tell you how to wire relays, just wire back-black, white - white, ground - ground. Our new home, I’ve wired 3 GFCIs, multiple others with USB ports, four new lights, and ran somewhere 250-300’ of romex to wire / fix an automatic gate. I’m verrrrrrrrrrrrry serious about not zappin’ myself, and anytime I’m not sure what to do, I call a pro. I’m trying to wire an RFID, magnetic lock, and an arduino, but I can’t find great coding/instructable. Thanks for the advice/any recommendations!

Also, since I’m not a pro about relays, I would like to know how to do that–the switches are fancier looking and it would help me learn about relays. Thanks!

Make sure the switches or relays are rated for inductive load, and can handle the startup surge.

and ran somewhere 250-300’ of romex to wire / fix an automatic gate

Romex is not rated for wet locations; that's a code violation. UF or THWN in conduit would be the best way to wire that.

/mike

Mike, that’s why I need some help about relays. What is inductive load? I was basic labor for an electrical company, sometimes for factorues w/big machines w/800 breakers. I’m smart v to know I’m stupid!

It’s UF. It is the type I bought to be run underground, I just call it romex in general. I also used tubing to keep the wire dry.

From this Wikipedia article:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Relay

Relays are used where it is necessary to control a circuit by a low-power signal (with complete electrical isolation between control and controlled circuits), or where several circuits must be controlled by one signal.

The control of several circuits thing is related to your wanting one master switch to control all the circuits.

BTW: Resistive loads are like toasters and light bulbs. Inductive loads are like motors, transformers - anything that has a magnetic circuit that will cause an inductive kick when switched off.

Use 120VAC rated switches. Look for a SPST (ON-none-ON) switch. Take a look at Mouser - switch: 691-2FA53-73/TABS , switch safety cover: 629-GT-4R. Digikey also has similar products, and they have the safety covers in stock. You would use one switch as the master switch and then have an individual switch for each power tool.