So the dc switch has to be hardier and will therefore work with ac. How do you install a switch for a 240 volt motor.
How To Wire Up A Linear Actuator To A Rocker Switch 12v
Will a 120v toggle switch work for 12v. If you loads the circuit up beyond 15 amps the switch can fail and over heat. Leviton 15 amp industrial grade heavy duty 3 way. Set your store to see local availability add to cart. It isnt the voltage that will cause a switch to smoke. Unhook the battery and install the switch inline some. You can run thousands of volts through a small switch but i wouldnt use a 12 volt switch where a 120 volt switch is needed.
That is just asking for a fire or at minimum a smoked switch. This will work fine 10 watts of light at 12 v is less than 1 amp. Watts volts x amps so wattsvolts amps. Ac is self extinguishing since the current goes to zero 120 times every second. When the switch opens there is a small arc that occurs. There is a work about by using an intermediary relay coil rated at 120 volts to switch the 240 volt feeder line.
The main problem is that the knives in the switch heat and lose their temperring when exposed to excess current. Quentacy 19mm 34 latching push button switch 12v dc 5a 250v ac led power symbol on off waterproof toggle switch stainless steel shell with wire connector plugblue light 46 out of 5 stars 232 995 9. The heat generated within the switch is a function of the current flowing through it and the sum of its contact resistance and any other resistance solder junctions oxide build up et ceteracalculating the wattage by p v x i for the voltage rating of the switch is invalid since that voltage is not seen up across the contacts of the switch except. Dc does not so the switch has to survive until the arc dies down on its own. Gardner bender toggle switch spst sb 6 amp 120 volt ac case of 5 model gsw 124 26 49 case 26 49 case free delivery with 45 order. Meaning there are only 2 places to hook wires and it only clicks once from one side to the other.
However the ac switch is not as hardy and should not be used. Twidec3pcs rocker toggle switch 12v 20a heavy duty racing car automative auto spst onoff toggle switch red led illuminated 3pin with red waterproof safety cover asw 07drrmz 45 out of 5 stars 83 1099. To address the update to the question. As for running thousands of volts through the same switch. Yes that will work if it is a 2 pole on off. Use a dpst a two pole switch.