|
2015-06-24, 17:50
|
#1 |
|
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? |
|
|
|
2015-06-24, 17:59
|
#2 | |
|
Bamboozled!
"πΊππ·π·π"
May 2003
Down not across
22·5·72·11 Posts |
Quote:
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. Last fiddled with by xilman on 2015-06-24 at 18:03 |
|
|
|
|
|
2015-06-24, 18:10
|
#3 | |
Nov 2003
22×5×373 Posts |
Quote:
|
|
|
|
|
|
2015-06-24, 18:33
|
#4 | |
|
If I May
"Chris Halsall"
Sep 2002
Barbados
262716 Posts |
Quote:
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"... |
|
|
|
|
|
2015-06-24, 18:42
|
#5 | |
|
Nov 2003
22×5×373 Posts |
Quote:
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.... |
|
|
|
|
|
2015-06-24, 18:44
|
#6 | |
|
If I May
"Chris Halsall"
Sep 2002
Barbados
9,767 Posts |
Quote:
|
|
|
|
|
|
2015-06-24, 18:47
|
#7 | |
|
If I May
"Chris Halsall"
Sep 2002
Barbados
9,767 Posts |
Quote:
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. |
|
|
|
|
|
2015-06-24, 19:13
|
#8 | |
"Brian"
Jul 2007
The Netherlands
7·467 Posts |
Quote:
|
|
|
|
|
|
2015-06-24, 19:47
|
#9 |
|
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 |
Jul 2003
So Cal
211610 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 |
"Gang aft agley"
Sep 2002
2×1,877 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.
|
|
|
|
 |
| Thread Tools | |
Similar Threads
|
||||
| Thread | Thread Starter | Forum | Replies | Last Post |
| Is there a "trick" to plugging in a Switch or did I kill it? | petrw1 | Hardware | 35 | 2016-12-03 17:05 |
| Aouessare-El Haddouchi-Essaaidi "test": "if Mp has no factor, it is prime!" | wildrabbitt | Miscellaneous Math | 11 | 2015-03-06 08:17 |
| Is this "Did You Know" correct? | Flatlander | Science & Technology | 19 | 2010-11-30 18:11 |
| Would Minimizing "iterations between results file" may reveal "is not prime" earlier? | nitai1999 | Software | 7 | 2004-08-26 18:12 |
