Which direction is "correct" for a single-throw switch?

chalsall · 2015-06-24, 17:50

A quick question for anyone with an opinion...

In your mind, which is the correct position for a vertical switch to be "on"? Up, or Down?

To me, down is off, and up is on. This is the standard in North America.

Apparently, according to Wikipedia (an infallible source of knowledge as we all know) the convention differs by region and/or country. Apparently in the UK et al the opposite is expected -- down is on, and up is off. But, then, they drive on the wrong side of the road, so this should be expected...

(To be clear, this is only relevant for single pole switches; three and four way switches can't be configured to have a "correct direction" for on because there's more than one switch in the equation.)

Thoughts?

xilman · 2015-06-24, 17:59

Quote:

Originally Posted by chalsall

Apparently, according to Wikipedia (an infallible source of knowledge as we all know) the convention differs by region and/or country. Apparently in the UK et al the opposite is expected -- down is on, and up is off. But, then, they drive on the wrong side of the road, so this should be expected...
Thoughts?

s/wrong/correct/

We agree that the US drives on the right side of the road.

The UK, Japan, Thailand, Eire, Australia, India ... all drive on the correct side of the road.

R.D. Silverman · 2015-06-24, 18:10

Quote:

Originally Posted by chalsall

A quick question for anyone with an opinion...

In your mind, which is the correct position for a vertical switch to be "on"? Up, or Down?

Thoughts?

Don't you go both ways????

chalsall · 2015-06-24, 18:33

Quote:

Originally Posted by R.D. Silverman

Don't you go both ways????

I do. Since I'm dyslexic, it's easy!

I can drive as easily on the left side of the road as the right.

Now, back to my question about which vertical switch positions being "correct"...

R.D. Silverman · 2015-06-24, 18:42

Quote:

Originally Posted by chalsall

I do. Since I'm dyslexic, it's easy!

I can drive as easily on the left side of the road as the right.

Now, back to my question about which vertical switch positions being "correct"...

Consider a light in a stairwell controlled by two separate switches......

The light is off, both switches are "down". The switch at the bottom is thrown and the light
turns on. One ascends. One now throws the switch at the top and the light turns off....

chalsall · 2015-06-24, 18:44

Quote:

Originally Posted by xilman

We agree that the US drives on the right side of the road.

I'm originally from Canada. We're a bit like Americans, but without the concealed guns....

chalsall · 2015-06-24, 18:47

Quote:

Originally Posted by R.D. Silverman

Consider a light in a stairwell controlled by two separate switches......

The light is off, both switches are "down". The switch at the bottom is thrown and the light
turns on. One ascends. One now throws the switch at the top and the light turns off....

Mr. Silverman...

Please reread the opening post.

Specifically "To be clear, this is only relevant for single pole switches; three and four way switches can't be configured to have a "correct direction" for on because there's more than one switch in the equation.

Brian-E · 2015-06-24, 19:13

Quote:

Originally Posted by chalsall

To me, down is off, and up is on. This is the standard in North America.

That's how I think it "should be" too. From memory that used to be standard in the UK when I lived there, both for light switches and switches on electric sockets, but my impression of switches here in NL is that people here just pick either possibility at random when they construct a switch. In our flat the two configurations are about evenly represented amongst all the switches. It's a mild annoyance when I'm feeling particularly prickly.

petrw1 · 2015-06-24, 19:47

I vote for Up=On...seems to be standard in Canada

frmky · 2015-06-24, 19:49

For a few years I worked on an experiment controlled by two instrument racks located side-by-side. The equipment was originally assembled in the UK then shipped to the US. The left rack was shipped with the instrument, had UK-style plugs powered by 230V AC, and all power switches in that rack used the down-is-on convention. The right rack was reserved for local equipment, had US style plugs powered by 110V AC, and used the up-is-on convention. It was a bit confusing at first.

only_human · 2015-06-24, 20:32

The only SPST switches that I'd prefer to see using down-for -on are main power circuit knife switches, pedal switches and occasionally other momentary switches.

2015-06-24, 17:50	#1
chalsall If I May "Chris Halsall" Sep 2002 Barbados 9,767 Posts	Which direction is "correct" for a single-throw switch? A quick question for anyone with an opinion... In your mind, which is the correct position for a vertical switch to be "on"? Up, or Down? To me, down is off, and up is on. This is the standard in North America. Apparently, according to Wikipedia (an infallible source of knowledge as we all know) the convention differs by region and/or country. Apparently in the UK et al the opposite is expected -- down is on, and up is off. But, then, they drive on the wrong side of the road, so this should be expected... (To be clear, this is only relevant for single pole switches; three and four way switches can't be configured to have a "correct direction" for on because there's more than one switch in the equation.) Thoughts?

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2015-06-24, 19:47	#9
petrw1 1976 Toyota Corona years forever! "Wayne" Nov 2006 Saskatchewan, Canada 2²·3·17·23 Posts	I vote for Up=On...seems to be standard in Canada

2015-06-24, 19:49	#10
frmky Jul 2003 So Cal 4104₈ Posts	For a few years I worked on an experiment controlled by two instrument racks located side-by-side. The equipment was originally assembled in the UK then shipped to the US. The left rack was shipped with the instrument, had UK-style plugs powered by 230V AC, and all power switches in that rack used the down-is-on convention. The right rack was reserved for local equipment, had US style plugs powered by 110V AC, and used the up-is-on convention. It was a bit confusing at first.

2015-06-24, 20:32	#11
only_human "Gang aft agley" Sep 2002 7252₈ Posts	The only SPST switches that I'd prefer to see using down-for -on are main power circuit knife switches, pedal switches and occasionally other momentary switches.