why would they sell a 2A lamp switch?

[Wal]

Hi all,

I recently refurbished an anglepoise lamp for a friend of mine - it needed a new push switch at the back of its head along with a new bayonet lamp-holder - what was in there was a bit of a horror story:



The replacement switch I bought was one of these: http://www.diy.com/departments/bq-bl.../178021_BQ.prd

...and on the packaging it stated that the switch was rated for 2 amps. Currently I have a 3A fuse fitted in the plug - but I'm going to order a 2A, possibly even a 1A. My question is this, though: why would they sell a 2A lamp switch when it's all but impossible to buy 1A* and 2A fuses on the high street..? Am I being overly cautious, or is a 1A/2A fuse a sensible proposition..?

Ta!

Wal.

*EDIT 1A found on the High Street...

[Clive S]

Wal
I don't think you can buy any smaller than 3A fuse for standard plug.

It will be fine a 100W lamp will only take about 0.5A so no prob with the switch.

edit make sure there is an earth wire to the lamp

[Wal]

Cheers Clive,

Yeah - the bulb won't be drawing any more than 0.5A - but if it malfunctions and ends up drawing a bigger current I'd rather have the fuse blow than the switch melt, if you get me. I saw some 1A fuses in a small electrical shop in Didsbury yesterday - he reckoned he could get 2A, was just out of stock at the time. As far as the earth cable goes - the lamp has a two-core L/N 3A flex - am I best off replacing this with a 3-core and securing the earth cable to the metal chassis of the lamp? ie. perhaps the bracket that holds the bayonet fitting..?

Wal.

[Clive S]

Cheers Clive,

Yeah - the bulb won't be drawing any more than 0.5A - but if it malfunctions and ends up drawing a bigger current I'd rather have the fuse blow than the switch melt, if you get me. I saw some 1A fuses in a small electrical shop in Didsbury yesterday - he reckoned he could get 2A, was just out of stock at the time. As far as the earth cable goes - the lamp has a two-core L/N 3A flex - am I best off replacing this with a 3-core and securing the earth cable to the metal chassis of the lamp? ie. perhaps the bracket that holds the bayonet fitting..?

Wal.

Yes you need an earth cable to the lamp Just keep the 3A fuse they are different than the glass fuses I have never seen a smaller one fitted to a British 13A plug

[Wal]

>Yes you need an earth cable to the lamp Just keep the 3A fuse they are different than the glass fuses I have never seen a smaller one fitted to a British 13A plug

Okay - but it wasn't a glass fuse - it was a fuse for a household plug - like this: http://www.diy.com/departments/bq-1a.../177930_BQ.prd

I've seen 2A online, but not on the high street...

Wal.

[Clive S]

>Yes you need an earth cable to the lamp Just keep the 3A fuse they are different than the glass fuses I have never seen a smaller one fitted to a British 13A plug

Okay - but it wasn't a glass fuse - it was a fuse for a household plug - like this: http://www.diy.com/departments/bq-1a.../177930_BQ.prd

I've seen 2A online, but not on the high street...

Wal.

Ok Wal you win But I still would not use one as when a lamp is first lit it will draw a lot more current for a few m/seconds and might just blow a 1A fuse. But hey it is your decision