Sourcing domestic momentary switch

[Ian ParkinParticipant @ianparkin39383]

A neighbour asked me to sort his electric sky lights one of which had stuck open…it was the wall switch which has fallen to bits

its a single wall plate with 2 momentary rocker switches on it one way for open and the other for close.

so its s 2 gang 2 way momentary?

can i find one online?

any one able to help?

[Ian ParkinParticipant @ianparkin39383]

[EmgeeParticipant @emgee]

Make sure you get a switch suitable for the voltage and current taken by the vent motor.

A DPDT or perhaps SPDT with centre off biased return may suit your needs.

Emgee

[Ian ParkinParticipant @ianparkin39383]

Well i wanted to get one to replace what’s there now…i have lots of switches to suit but they are a bit industrial in style. The neighbours house is a bit homes and garden…

Edited By Ian Parkin on 19/03/2023 09:46:11

[JasonBModerator @jasonb]

Could you do it with two grid switch units in a 2G plate?

[Ian ParkinParticipant @ianparkin39383]

The one that is there looks like this

But it has rocker switches centre off …up and down momentary.

i cant believe that the manufacturer of the roof vents have a switch specially made

but looking online (as its Sunday) i cant find a single wall plate with momentary switches (other than bell pushes)

[Ian ParkinParticipant @ianparkin39383]

Jason can you get grid switches that are momentary?

[Ian ParkinParticipant @ianparkin39383]

Is this what i need?

https://www.screwfix.com/p/british-general-nexus-grid-20a-2-way-grid-retractive-switch-module-press-off-centre-white/332rf

[Ian ParkinParticipant @ianparkin39383]

Whats a retractive switch

[V8EngParticipant @v8eng]

Sorry if it’s a daft question but have you tried the sky light company?

Edited By V8Eng on 19/03/2023 10:37:45

[Ian ParkinParticipant @ianparkin39383]

Well it’s Sunday and its surely just a switch

[HollowpointParticipant @hollowpoint]

I often find that unusual switches use a custom mechanical housing with the actual switch behind being a common off the shelf part. Take a photo of the back, and if here is any numbers printed anywhere note those down. I wouldn't be at all surprised if it was a couple of bog standard parts.

[Ian ParkinParticipant @ianparkin39383]

It just looks like a standard wall switch with modules…but not like a grid switch.

i think the modules i linked to above will do it

[DC31kParticipant @dc31k]

Posted by Ian Parkin on 19/03/2023 10:30:25:

Is this what i need?

332RF will do what you need.

When I look at it, 27120 also comes up as an alternative. Comments on 27120 from 'ProGuy' say "Great for controlling roller shutters where you need it to be normally off, then be able to switch it up or down to higher or lower the shutter."

I think what he says is equivalent to your desired appllication.

Edited By DC31k on 19/03/2023 10:59:05

[Ian ParkinParticipant @ianparkin39383]

I did notice that but the description said it can be wired as no or nc

[DC31kParticipant @dc31k]

Posted by Ian Parkin on 19/03/2023 11:19:57:

I did notice that but the description said it can be wired as no or nc

Take an AA battery, an LED and a resistor into Screwfix. Connect up the switch after you have bought it and see if the current path through it meets your needs or not.

If it does not, return it.

You could also buy a multimeter from SF at the same time and use that to verify the switch's operation.

[JasonBModerator @jasonb]

If you pop the screw less cover off you may see the 2-gang grid plate.

Think this should do it always returns to the central off position and they give operation of a blind as an example

[John Doe 2Participant @johndoe2]

Domestic switches usually use compressed springs between the outside switch part and the inside metal part that actually does the switching. The springs produce a very quick switching action, to prevent arcs, and they also 'lock' the switch contacts into the on or off position,

Momentary action switches will not have this, since the terminals don't need to be 'locked' off or on. So they will have a different mechanism and won't be a normal switch with a bit of internal plastic added or removed or whatever.

Unfortunately, manufacturers, designers and suppliers seem to be very conservative and only produce or stock what 95% of installers need. So your quest is likely to be frustrating. I suspect you will have to do some detective work to find and contact the makers of the broken switch – assuming you cannot fix that one, of course. Some can be taken apart, and you might find that a good clean out and reassembly will fix the old switch.

[Norfolk BoyParticipant @norfolkboy]

As Jason says or the screwfix 2 way one may be what you need if opening and closing commands required. From a review of it on screwfix

"I like these. They're nice looking switches and grid plates and one of the few ranges with a retractive switch available.

For those who've not tried it, retractive 2-way switches are ideal with automation systems. A standard switch can be "the wrong way up" if the system turns off the light rather than the switch, which confuses people. Connect L1 to L2 on a retractive, set the control module to handle retractive and pressing either end of the switch simply toggles the light.

Perfect. Wish Screwfix stocked more of the varilight grid range; I've had to go elsewhere to buy other colours for a couple of rooms."

You can probably use one two way switch where they have used 2 single way. Or get 2 two way and you'll cover all bases

Edited By Norfolk Boy on 19/03/2023 18:56:52

[Ian ParkinParticipant @ianparkin39383]

I have ordered a set of grid switches plates and covers from Screwfix for collection tommorow (the varilight range) the bg range is sent from supplier so would be Wednesday or so before it came.

i must confess I hadn’t heard the term “retractive “ applied to a switch so me searching for momentary drew a blank

[John Doe 2Participant @johndoe2]

Neat !

Are retractive switches centre biased momentary contact or do they latch ?

[Ian ParkinParticipant @ianparkin39383]

JD 2 it seems to be a new word for momentary

[Harry WilkesParticipant @harrywilkes58467]

Posted by John Doe 2 on 20/03/2023 11:02:54:

Neat !

Are retractive switches centre biased momentary contact or do they latch ?

John

As I understand a retractive switch is one that returns to it's previous position after it's pressed

H

[John Doe 2Participant @johndoe2]

Thanks. Every day is a learning day

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