Hey guys. After yet again wiping a heavy layer of dust off of all surfaces in my basement shop, I decided that my box fan with a filter duct-taped to the back side wasn’t cutting it (although it’s been better than nothing). So, I’m building an air cleaner for my shop using an old 1/2 HP 4-speed furnace blower. I was hoping to find a “full-size” rotary electrical switch to vary speeds, but have been unsuccesful. Best I can find is a single-pole double-throw toggle switch. I can live with just two speeds I guess, and it’s rated 20A at 120v, so it’s up to the task. However, I’m unfamiliar with using these types of switches using 120v (I’ve previously only used them with low voltage hobbies).
I’m not quite sure what kind of enclosure to use for the back side. I could have the toggle protruding through a hole in the plywood cleaner case and install an enclosure from the back side. But I could also mount an electrical box to the side of the cleaner case, too. Should I get a handy box and a blank cover plate and drill a hole in the cover? Is there a better way?
Also, the lugs are smaller, and more closely spaced, than with traditional residential electrical switches. Any tricks or things to be aware of? I’m using 16AWG stranded.
Thanks!
Replies
Should I get a handy box and a blank cover plate and drill a hole in the cover? Is there a better way
Use the handy box but buy the cover palte that is already punched. Any electrical supply house will have them as well as a handy box with a side mounting plate..
Use crimp on insulated spade connectors under the screws.
If this is a regular round-shank toggle, I'm guessing you won't find a pre-punched plate for it. But drilling a hole to fit is easy enough.
The mark of the immature man is that he wants to die nobly for a cause, while the mark of a mature man is that he wants to live humbly for one. --Wilhelm Stekel
I can walk across the street and buy a box of them.
I have drilled many blanks over the years but with the new plates designed for LAN drop pulls why bother? I even get them in stainless and they have changed the mounting screw hole configuration to match the norm of a 2x4 box.( No more little spring steel slips with the cover plate holes matched to regular wall switch locations. Yea!)