double pole 30 A switch

[piperdave]

I just bought the Still Dragon DIY controller kit ( http://stilldragon.com/index.php/diy-la ... oller.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;" rel="nofollow ) and want to put a on/off switch in it. I would be running a 5500 W element on this. Would a double pole 30 A switch work for this? It has a pot for controlling power but I would feel better with an actual on/off switch.

[piperdave]

Please disregard. I just did a HD google search and there's already plenty on this topic. Sorry

[StillerBoy]

Yes it certainly will.. a 20 amp double pole will also work.. that is what I install in the controller I've built.. and have work good for the late 6 years, and that running a 5500 watt element ..

The reason a 20 amp will also do is that you are only at full power for less than 30 minutes at most, therefore the switch does not have time to warm up to the point of requiring a higher rate switch..

Mars

[piperdave]

Thanks Mars....I will probably go with a 30 amp just 'cause I'm a little leery of under-spec stuff when it comes to electricity.

[cranky]

That setup isn't that different than what I put together from pieces. I used a double pole single throw 30 amp switch because even with the potentiometer turned off I still have a small amount of power and a live leg so killing power to both legs is important. I went 30 amps because at 5500W I can get above 20 amps and quite frankly the price difference between a 20 amp and 30 amp switch isn't enough to justify saying "It is only for a little while and it will probably be alright" Murphy's law will bite you in the ass, if the switch can't handle full amperage it isn't good enough.

[piperdave]

Did you start a build thread? I guess I can just search for it as I discovered[FLUSHED FACE]


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

[piperdave]

D'oh....of course you started a build thread. I've even read most of it

[Klein]

Yes it certainly will.. a 20 amp double pole will also work.. that is what I install in the controller I've built.. and have work good for the late 6 years, and that running a 5500 watt element ..

The reason a 20 amp will also do is that you are only at full power for less than 30 minutes at most, therefore the switch does not have time to warm up to the point of requiring a higher rate switch..

Mars

I strongly recommend not using devices that are not rated for the load.
This is how fires start.
The circuit breaker is to protect all the wires and devices.

At the moment your breaker is not protecting your switch.

[Little Hank]

In your post it seems as if you are adding a breaker between the still and the breaker panel but you didn't say what the circuit breaker size was in the panel. The only reason I bring this up is so that others that might not be electrically inclined will make sure the circuit they are running on is able to handle the load they may put on it. Another thought is that breakers aren't really designed for switching although it will work it can weaken the breaker so if your relying on it to trip under load it may fail. Lastly home depot sells a 30 DP light switch. I just thought I'd throw that out there for those that might not know.

LH

[Klein]

I don't recommend using a breaker as a switch, unless you get one that is designed for that purpose.
It's best to do thing the right way, the first time.

[Snackson]

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B002MPPT ... th=1&psc=1" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;" rel="nofollow

This guy works very well.

[Little Hank]

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B002MPPT ... th=1&psc=1

This guy works very well.

That's the same one that's at home depot if you have one close by.

LH

[cranky]

D'oh....of course you started a build thread. I've even read most of it

That's funny right there I was going to say it's the second link in my signature and the V2 controller was when I added a switch. There is actually some debate in that thread about the way I did some things and some corrections about the meter but the switch is pretty straight forward. I got mine at Home Depot and then at Lowe's after I misplaced the first one

[piperdave]

I realized right after I posted that it was your thread that got me thinking about adding a controller. Sheesh.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

[Little Hank]

Your Tapatalk sig is back for some reason piperdave.

LH

[Lyonsie]

Dont know about where you live, but where i am a high powered relay worked out cheaper. Might be worth considering.

[piperdave]

Tapatalk is.....well...a convenient pain in the a$$!

[piperdave]

Going out tomorrow to price them out, we shall see. Just re-reading Cranky's controller build thread right now. At least its not as long as the flute talk thread!

[Little Hank]

Dont know about where you live, but where i am a high powered relay worked out cheaper. Might be worth considering.

What are you using for the control voltage. I'm going to do it, I'm assuming your talking about a double pole definite purpose contactor relay?.

LH

[Lyonsie]

12v dc it controls my fans too and yep it switches both poles. 220v where i live.