I have an older light switch in my basement that no longer works (when lifted to the "on" position there is no "click" and it simply falls back to the "off" position). I took off the faceplate intending to replace it but the markings on it were not a single rating, but instead contained what appears to be two sets of amp/volt ratings?
If the text is not legible in the photo it reads:
5A 250V 10A 125V
UND LAB INC INSP
A. H. & H.
U.S.A.
I'm a bit confused by this– When previously replacing light switches I've generally relied on simply replacing the switch with a new switch of the same rating as that seemed relatively safe. There are only two wires going in to the back of the switch, and as far as I am aware this is the only switch controlling the light in this room. I am wondering what kind of switch this is. I was hoping to replace it with this switch:
…which is rated 15A-120V. I am located in the Chicago area of the United States. I can take additional photographs or provide additional context upon request– any assistance is appreciated.
Best Answer
Should be fine.
You are replacing a 10A rated switch with a 15A rated switch, assuming your lights are 120V as per normal. More is better there. especially since it's unlikely that the circuit is fused or breakered at 10A.
AIUI, all 110/115/120/125V devices in the US (at least the UL-Rated ones) are actually dual-rated up to 250V, though you might have to look at the device markings rather than the packaging to see that. In any case, the 125 .vs. 120V is just a matter of nominal rating, not "this will blow up if the voltage fluctuates to 121V"
It may lack the 250V marking specifically because it's a "lighted handle switch" and thus can only operate on the one voltage, correctly. Depending on how the "lighted handle feature" is configured, you might get strange behaviors if the lights are LEDs rather than incandescents.