Can I use this switch on my car?

[sifan]

I am looking for a toggle switch for my car, and found the following eBay item:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/e...=4609799708&rd=1&sspagename=STRK:MEWA:IT&rd=1

According its description it is rated 20A@125-277 VAC with 14 gauge wires.

Now according the following site a 14 gauge wire can only transmit 5.9A.

http://www.powerstream.com/Wire_Size.htm

Do I interpret the chart correctly?

Can I use this switch on my car's 12V electrical system?

 

[brianl703]

For household electrical wiring 14 gauge is only good for 15 amps.

For automotive use..let's just say that it's pretty common practice to put more than 15 amps through a 14 gauge wire.

You should be fine with that switch--what are you using it for and how many amps do you expect to switch with it?

Depending on what you want to do, you might be better off using a switch to control a relay. 30 amp relays are pretty inexpensive and available at just about any auto parts store (look in the aux lighting stuff section).

 

[brianl703]

There's an ampacity chart here:

http://www.tccoa.com/articles/misc/130alt/

That chart is a lot closer to what automotive engineers specify for various ampacity loads. 14 gauge is listed as 35amps outside engine spaces and 29.8 amps inside engine spaces.

 

[sifan]

Thanks for the reply. I will use the switch with no more than 10A load.

 

[Mud]

Might also look at www.delcity.net for electrical stuff.

You did not say what you were trying to control with the switch, but I would sure recommend using a relay as mentioned above. This would result in only needing a very small amount of amperage through the switch to energize the relay.

 

[Tosh]

http://meci.com/ and http://hosfelt.com/ are my two favorite places for surplus stuff.