What is 16(4)@250V OF A SWITCH ?

[mowhoong]

What does that mean? the specification mark on the toggle switch is 16(4)A@250V
I do not know it mean for 16A or just 4A ?Thank for your help.

 

[Lord Garth]

"mowhoong" <mowhoong@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:3d7f87e3.0411141944.43696ed7@posting.google.com...

What does that mean? the specification mark on the toggle switch is
16(4)A@250V
I do not know it mean for 16A or just 4A ?Thank for your help.

The first is the AC rating, the second is DC.

 

[mowhoong]

Thanks Lord Garth Can I know what is the reason if the switch use on DC it
become only 4A?
"Lord Garth" <LGarth@Tantalus.net> wrote in message news:<ldWld.28872$bP2.14774@newssvr12.news.prodigy.com>...

"mowhoong" <mowhoong@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:3d7f87e3.0411141944.43696ed7@posting.google.com...
What does that mean? the specification mark on the toggle switch is
16(4)A@250V
I do not know it mean for 16A or just 4A ?Thank for your help.

The first is the AC rating, the second is DC.

 

[John Fields]

On Mon, 15 Nov 2004 04:25:54 GMT, "Lord Garth" <LGarth@Tantalus.net>
wrote:

"mowhoong" <mowhoong@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:3d7f87e3.0411141944.43696ed7@posting.google.com...
What does that mean? the specification mark on the toggle switch is
16(4)A@250V
I do not know it mean for 16A or just 4A ?Thank for your help.

The first is the AC rating, the second is DC.

---
Are you sure?

Sounds to me like it might mean it can carry 16A but only switch 4.

--
John Fields

 

[Terry]

"John Fields" <jfields@austininstruments.com> wrote in message
news:fc8ip0d8bjtoei9nkhb8ifkkod8euaukig@4ax.com...

On Mon, 15 Nov 2004 04:25:54 GMT, "Lord Garth" <LGarth@Tantalus.net
wrote:


"mowhoong" <mowhoong@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:3d7f87e3.0411141944.43696ed7@posting.google.com...
What does that mean? the specification mark on the toggle switch is
16(4)A@250V
I do not know it mean for 16A or just 4A ?Thank for your help.

The first is the AC rating, the second is DC.

---
Are you sure?

Sounds to me like it might mean it can carry 16A but only switch 4.

--
John Fields

Somebody more knowledgeable can comment; but my understanding is that the DC
rating much lower because when the switch is operated to break DC current it
is opening a steady state current of 4 amps. With DC also it is important
whether the circuit is inductive/capacitive or purely resistive.
When opening an AC circuit the current (assuming say a sine wave) is rising
then falling to zero twice each AC cycle. Thus ensuring, for example in the
case of say 60 hertz, that the current will be 'quenched' (i.e. at zero)
within a maximum of one 120th of one second. Thus much less chance of
continuing/creating a spark or arcing of the contacts! Also you will rarely
see 'Spark Quench' circuitry on anything but DC contacts/switches, for the
same reason.
So even though a switch might be able to 'carry' 16 amps through it without
heating up the contacts etc. when it comes to breaking the circuit DC is
very different to AC.
Make any sense?
Terry