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Registered
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Chambersburg, PA
Posts: 91
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Simple Toggle switch question
I am a somewhat rookie wirer, and I was wondering if you can hook a toggle switch up to a ground wire instead of a hot. Will this drain power or anything?
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05-06-2005, 04:55 PM
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Registered
Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: Lawrenceville GA 30045
Posts: 7,377
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What are you trying to do? The answer is no, but what are you connecting the other side of the switch to?
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Mark '83 SC Targa - since 5/5/2001 '06 911 S Aerokit - from 5/2/2016 to 11/14/2018 '11 911 S w/PDK - from 7/2/2021 to ??? |
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05-06-2005, 05:07 PM
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Registered
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: Fort Collins, CO
Posts: 631
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As Mark points out...no.
You can, generally speaking, switch a circuit on the ground side. But cars are tricky because sometimes you are grounding by simply attaching whatever it is you are working on to the car itself. If whatever it is you are working on is completely ungrounded, your switch should work.
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05-06-2005, 05:23 PM
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Registered
Join Date: Jul 2000
Location: So. Calif.
Posts: 19,910
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Many newer vehicles (often Japanese) locate the switch as well as relay on the ground side of a circuit.
Sherwood |
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05-07-2005, 08:01 AM
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Back in the saddle again
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: Central TX west of Houston
Posts: 55,956
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You can put the switch anywhere in the existing circuit as long as it can close and open the circuit.
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Steve '08 Boxster RS60 Spyder #0099/1960 - never named a car before, but this is Charlotte. '88 targa  SOLD 2004 - gone but not forgotten
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05-07-2005, 08:22 AM
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Still Doin Time
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Nokesville, Va.
Posts: 8,225
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Depending on the circuit you are control-switching, many guys like to control the ground side because it usually means less wiring and there's not an additional 'hot' wire that could potentially ground/short and cause big problems.
Many auto manufacturers do this in their electrical systems.
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05-07-2005, 08:28 AM
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Registered
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Chambersburg, PA
Posts: 91
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Alright, I put it on the ground side and it works great! It also has less wiring. Thanks guys,
Tommy |
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05-07-2005, 12:33 PM
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