I am looking for a source of a light switches that will turn on a light when a closet or cabinet door is opened.
I have rigged a closet door with a heavy duty commercial grade switch, that I had in my junk box, that turns on a can light outside a pair of doors where I keep a few tools in the house. It has a small micro switch. This particular one would likely cost $50 or more. There must be a source of switches made for this use at a reasonable cost.
Richard
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I've used two kinds and seen a third but don't know names or supply sources other than, Hey Fred, can you get me three of those same jamb switches we used on the _____ job?
Fred is my sparky.
One is a heavy push switch that is mortised into the jamb on the hinge side. It is probably mechanical and is dependable but it takes a big chunk of meat out of the jamb and takes time.
Another is a magnetic dot switch. A round magnet is countersunk into the door by drilling a hole. A round button is recessed into the jamb so as to align with the magnet and connects to a wire. Close the door, and the magnet opens the circuit. Open it and the magnet closes the circuit so the light comes on.
The third seems to be a DIY afterthought that I routinely remove from houses. It is face mounted on the casing and the door. It looks ugly as sin.
Excellence is its own reward!
"The first rule is to keep an untroubled spirit.
The second is to look things in the face and know them for what they are."
--Marcus Aurelius
I was gonna say the local electrical supply should have a few to select from...and ya might even find one reasonably priced at around $50!
Looks like I was off the mark. Not sure you'll find anything cheaper made for that purpose......you could probably find something to rig up though.
Jeff
Buck Construction Pittsburgh,PA
Fine Carpentery.....While U Waite
For a closet, Leviton 1865/700 - under $10
for a cabinet, use something like http://www.action-electronics.com/gcmicro.htm
.
Phill Giles
The Unionville Woodwright
Unionville, Ontario
Edited 1/4/2003 2:53:01 AM ET by Phill Giles
Edited 1/4/2003 3:07:37 AM ET by Phill Giles
I'm looking for the same thing and, I think, for the same reasons. I've tried the time consuming jamb switches, also the motion detector type and I'm looking for something smaller, cleaner and faster to install.
I think the hunt comes down to the electronic device that could use the input signal from a "button" type magnetic switch and be able to switch 120v. for the light. This could probably be done if a transformer was used and the light was low voltage. My goal is to switch coat and bedroom closets and a device that could directly switch 120v. would be ideal.
Let's send this thread to Leviton's R&D Dept.
Probably not much help, but.....we remodeled a 50 year old house that had these. They were already there and caused no trouble.... So, I never closely examined them. Since the house was so old, there were no other switches...probably originally pull chains. If memory serves, they looked for all the world like those little contact switches that are still used for burglar alarms. If the electrical house wants too much, how 'bout Radio Shack?
If you have a switch already and that switch is inside the closet I've had good luck with the Levitron, motion-detector replacements.
My experince with these switches is that they are ALWAYS more of a PITA than any one thinks they will be.
Make sure you charge $$$ for them, because they can turn the tasks of hanging adoor and installing a light switch into a Major expenditure of time above and beyond doing them the normal way.
Some times the customer needs to see how much they can save by learnig to turn off the light themselves.
Mr TDo not try this at home!
I am a trained professional!
When I worked in industry, we used a lot of proximity switches and a variety of limit switches that are durable and reliable. They're also expensive, but if you're near a city that has a source of surplus or used electrical components, these switches can often be obtained quite cheaply. You have to pay attention to what your getting though, because sometimes the voltages are non-standard and the functions may not be the SPST you're probably after.
Common manufacturers are Allen Bradley, Square D and others.
Jules Quaver for President 2004
wny not use a motion dectector like the outdoor type, $15 and little or no cutting out or pulling extra wires.
I like motion detector switches. That way you can leave a door ajar, as kids are inclined to do, and not have a jamb switch keeping the lights on.
Look in your refrigerator.
Does the light really go off when you shut the door???
TDo not try this at home!
I am a trained professional!
i tried putting my head in while i shut the door, that didnt work. Put the cat in, he didnt come out for a week; all the milk & cheese were gone. Still dont know.
To finally put to rest the age old debate over whether the light stays on in the refrigerator I cut a 12" square hole in my refrigerator door and the light does go out. Does anyone know of a source of replacement refrigerator doors? Skip
Find a nieghbor with the same fridge and offer to watch thier house while they are on vacation.
TDo not try this at home!
I am a trained professional!
Don't know why I didn't think of that. Thanks Skip