cabin light switch

[Phil1884]

Hi,

 

going to replace my cabin light switches with these:

 

http://www.force4.co.uk/department/electrical/lighting/light-switches/force-4-light-switch-double-brass.html#.VSrNIBBwbqA

 

Question though is am I expected to fit a recessed light switch box behind this? They will be serving a few 12V LED spotlights (about 5W each I think) so only a few amps will be drawn.

 

Thanks

 

Phil

[bigste]

They are for screwing onto a recessed box but will also fit a surface mount box even though they'd look odd.

[Ryeland]

I think you will find that they are much smaller than standard electrical accessories, and will not fit any standard box.

 

Richard

[alan_fincher]

I think you will find that they are much smaller than standard electrical accessories, and will not fit any standard box.

 

Richard

 

Correct - they are not even square, according to the details - 51x64mm

[Phil1884]

Missed that bit! Also, the screw holes are on the top and bottom as opposed to either side as with standard assessories. So is it OK not to use a box in this case seeing as it's on a low V system?

[Theo]

I would guess that they were I'm be perfectly all right without a box.

 

N

Edited April 12, 2015 by Theo

[Keeping Up]

One of ours is a bit similar to that, fitted to the woodwork without a box. It's only lasted 24 years without problems so far.

[ditchcrawler]

Is this a new fit out that has to comply with RCD, if so you need to speak to someone with the secret standards.

[Phil1884]

The shell is RCD but the fit out wont be as we have no intention of selling on until at least after the requirement to conform to RCD ends which is a couple of years now.

Edited April 13, 2015 by Phil1884

[Phil1884]

Sorry should add that it was a sailaway, CE marked with builder's plate

[rjasmith]

Those look quite neat little switch panels and are probably made up using pushfit panel rocker switches in a brass plate with suitably cut rectangular holes. (Is it real brass or is it brass plated steel? - or it could be anodised aluminium!)

 

I suspect the terminals on the back are standard 0.25" male spades. If you wire them with insulated crimp 0.25" receptacles they would be completely RCD compliant without the need for any enclosure behind them. The plate won't work with domestic boxes anyway, as others have said.

 

But of course, as you've said, you don't plan on making the boat RCD compliant on completion so that isn't a problem.

 

Interesting that you have a CE Builders plate - that should only be put on at final completion complete with Max crew and Max load figures. Does it have a Manufacturer Name on it? If you were building to the RCD, that would be you!!

 

Richard

[Phil1884]

Hi Richard

 

Yeah, its the typical plate you see, with manufacturer crew numbers and loads. Never really given it much thought.

 

I have the usual declaration of conformity and manual as you'd expect for a sailaway.

 

Given the complexities of building to RCD and getting it CE marked for a novice like me, plus my intentions not to sell it seemed far easier to build to satisfy the BSS rather than worry about RCD.

 

However there seems no clear cut time frame to the 5 year exemption period. I assumed as it isnt a liveaboard that this would begin from the moment it was first in the water, others say it's when I have 'completed' it. Given that I can see myself for ever changing bits and pieces I can nver see it being 'complete'!