Thread: Foot switch

There are stacks of them on ebay but they don't come with a plug & socket, you have to wire them or have them wired up to suit.

Originally Posted by Pete57

I looked at the Jaycar foot switch a few weeks ago. My concern is it seems to be metal but no earth wire. Switch may be rated for 240 v but not sure how safe or legal it would be to use on Mains power. I am not an electrician so happy to be corrected.

The Jaycar switch has only one pole (i.e. switches only one wire like a light switch) and although the specifications are only given as DC ratings if it can do 240V DC it will certainly do 240V AC.
The switch inside is probably plastic so it is probably safe enough.I like to see switches on machinery switch both the Active and Neutral lines but looking at the huge range of foot switches on eBay they all seem to operate like this.

Altronics do supply a proper momentary 240V AC rated foot switch with a double pole (so can be wired to switch both active and neutral) but you would have to wire it yourself http://www.altronics.com.au/p/s1152-...ootpad-switch/

The Jackson switch is a push to turn it on and another push to turn it off whereas I take it you would like a momentary switch where you hold the foot down to switch on and remove switch to turn it off.

I've thought a few times about getting a foot switch for my DP but when I get it I will want it to have a cover because I wont want something dropping onto the switch and accidentally starting the DP.

Dallas i purchased a foot switch from the local electrical wholesaler for $40 it only has a 3 core lead on it but all you have to do is use the common & normally open wires not the normally closed one,& do the joining in a junction box,was easy for me but I am an electrician by trade.the switch had a wiring diagram on it. Cheers Peter

Originally Posted by Dalboy

How about a foot peddle from a sewing machine could they not be converted

Yes, they can. I have a few from old sewing machines.

Peter.

Originally Posted by pawoods

Dallas i purchased a foot switch from the local electrical wholesaler for $40 it only has a 3 core lead on it but all you have to do is use the common & normally open wires not the normally closed one,& do the joining in a junction box,was easy for me but I am an electrician by trade.the switch had a wiring diagram on it. Cheers Peter

Is this the same type of switch Peter? It does have the wiring diagram on the base as you describe.

That will work but you will need to be sure that it is wired to switch the active as it is only a single pole switch.

Dallas Yes Dallas that is the same switch as i have & a bargain at that price & as Cliff said just make sure you switch the active wire .otherwise you still could have a live wire to the machine even with the switch in the off position

Originally Posted by Sturdee

Yes, they can. I have a few from old sewing machines.

Peter.

That's interesting, Peter. I wondered about a sewing machine foot control but this is what I was told:
See #44 & #46 in this thread:
Scroll saw for occasional use.

Of course that is just about slowing the scrollsaw, not turning it on and off, which is how this thread started. Jen

I got a few sewing machine foot controls that I got from our local sewing machine retailer (my wife has been a client of him for at least 30 years so getting some was easy) that I adapted by splicing them into extension cords. I removed part of it and now they only switch on/of whilst the pedal is depressed.

Don't use them very often now, but are handy when needed.

Peter.

Originally Posted by Cliff Rogers

Masters have foot switched 4 port power board on special at present.

NEW Jackson 4 Outlet Foot Switch Powerboard FSPB2100 | eBay

I bought the Masters foot switch last week and have installed it to turn on the vacuum and power to the mitre saw. So far all good ........ and for only $25!

fletty