>Somewhere in the recess of my mind, I recall something being said about a
>difference between store bought switches and aviation quality switches. I
>have looked through all my library and cannot find any reference that
>directs an answer to this ponderence. Tony Bingelis says that there are
>probably many 'Radio Shack' switches out there in homebuilt aircraft, but it
>bothers me to go 'downtown' for switches if I am supposed to be getting
>aircraft switches.
What's an "aircraft" switch? Never saw one with that
terminology marked on it. There's plenty of advertising
hype designed to convince folk that a particular offering
is more suited to aircraft than another product . . .
but no matter how much you spend for a switch, does that
guarantee that it will never fail? If it might fail,
what is your "plan-b" for dealing with the failure? If
you've GOT a plan-b, then is the absolute quality of the
switch all that important?
I can tell you that the row of rockers that went into
tens of thousands of single engine Cessnas cost them
under $1.00 each. The vast majority of those installed
at the factory are still operating 20+ years later.
> . . . Even 'Electric Bob' seems quiet on this topic other than
>to say that the switch should be heavy duty and a snap action switch which
>is rated for the load to be placed on it. Where is the reference that I
>remember about AC and DC rated switches? Can anyone point the way?
I just got back to Wichita after a week of errant electron
stomping in CT . . . working a proble with the de-ice
system on the Beechjet. Took the day off from RAC to try
and catch up on duties at home.
You can download a copy of an article I did for Sport
Aviation a few years ago at:
http://www.aeroelectric.com/articles/swtchrat.pdf
Bob . . .
--------------------------------------------
( Knowing about a thing is different than )
( understanding it. One can know a lot )
( still understand knothing. )
( C.F. Kettering )
--------------------------------------------
http://www.aeroelectric.com
|