Mains Change over Switch (1 Viewer)

[Steve and Denise]

I am looking for a mains change over switch IE two live feeds in one out,
I have had a look at generator change over switches but they seem a bit heavy duty as I only need something to handle 10 amps max.

I have a long drive with 26 lights (leds) and for a bit of fun been running the lights from the solar setup (inverter) in our van when parked at home, the lights are fully automatic switching and I have a 220v outlet on the van I use to supply the lights when parked at home but when away they revert back to the grid/ mains supply.

 

[Sandancers]

26 leds, even banks of leds, would not be near 10A I'd doubt. But anyway as I read it you have a female external plug on your MH which supplies 240v. You can take a lead from that which you want to feed the 26 lights with when the van is parked up and plugged in, but when you unplug the MH the leds revert to the mains from the house.

All you would need to do is get a 240v coil relay (double pole) with contact current carrying capability of 10A. RS sell a range of these called Octal relays, they need a plug in base to which you can connect your wires.

So the wires from the house go to the normally closed contacts, ie closed when coil not energised.

The wires from the MH go to both the coil AND normally open contacts, ie closed when coil is powered.

The wires from the common contacts go to your leds.

BUT, BUT, BUT. How that would comply with the electrical regulations I have no idea ! You'd need a competent electrician who is an expert on the IEEE regs to comment on that !

 

[MisterB]

Are you trying to change over from a 12v to a 230v and vica versa ?

I was recommended to use a relay from others in this site, try and search for relays?

I also understand that some inverters have them in built.

 

[Steve and Denise]

Are you trying to change over from a 12v to a 230v and vica versa ?

I was recommended to use a relay from others in this site, try and search for relays?

I also understand that some inverters have them in built.

No I have a mains supply from the house to the lights that are on a timed/ photo electric switch, I also have a 220v supply coming from our van that is free power, so when the van is parked at home I may as well use the free power to supply the lights.

 

[Steve and Denise]

26 leds, even banks of leds, would not be near 10A I'd doubt. But anyway as I read it you have a female external plug on your MH which supplies 240v. You can take a lead from that which you want to feed the 26 lights with when the van is parked up and plugged in, but when you unplug the MH the leds revert to the mains from the house.

All you would need to do is get a 240v coil relay (double pole) with contact current carrying capability of 10A. RS sell a range of these called Octal relays, they need a plug in base to which you can connect your wires.

So the wires from the house go to the normally closed contacts, ie closed when coil not energised.

The wires from the MH go to both the coil AND normally open contacts, ie closed when coil is powered.

The wires from the common contacts go to your leds.

BUT, BUT, BUT. How that would comply with the electrical regulations I have no idea ! You'd need a competent electrician who is an expert on the IEEE regs to comment on that !

Thanks for the reply I think I would prefer to stick to manual switching as the switch will isolate either supply when set to to other supply, I hope that makes sense

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[MisterB]

No I have a mains supply from the house to the lights that are on a timed/ photo electric switch, I also have a 220v supply coming from our van that is free power, so when the van is parked at home I may as well use the free power to supply the lights.

But doesn't that mean you have a 12v supply feeding the inverter, which then becomes a 240v supply via the inverter?

So effectively you are switching from a 240v supply to a 12v supply when that 12v supply is available and then auto switching to the 240v house supply when it isn't?

By only trying to change from one 240v supply to another, wouldn't that mean your inverter would be on permanently?

Auto changeover relay for inverter

First picture is a selection of relays from RS components. The one on the right is my choice as it is 10 amp rated through the normally closed contact set which will be used for the inverter when off hook up. The normally open contact set is 30 amp rated and will be used to power a skt/skts as...

www.motorhomefun.co.uk

Hoovie should be able to help you. He might be able to provide exactly what you need

 

[Steve and Denise]

But doesn't that mean you have a 12v supply feeding the inverter, which then becomes a 240v supply via the inverter?

So effectively you are switching from a 240v supply to a 12v supply when that 12v supply is available and then auto switching to the 240v house supply when it isn't?

By only trying to change from one 240v supply to another, wouldn't that mean your inverter would be on permanently?

Auto changeover relay for inverter

First picture is a selection of relays from RS components. The one on the right is my choice as it is 10 amp rated through the normally closed contact set which will be used for the inverter when off hook up. The normally open contact set is 30 amp rated and will be used to power a skt/skts as...

www.motorhomefun.co.uk

Hoovie should be able to help you. He might be able to provide exactly what you need

Yes the inverter is on permanently so only switching the 240v from one to the other
the van batteries is at 100% every day so I may as well use it,
let’s not go into storing batteries at 100/80% as I am aware of that

 

[MisterB]

Yes the inverter is on permanently so only switching the 240v from one to the other
the van batteries is at 100% every day so I may as well use it,
let’s not go into storing batteries at 100/80% as I am aware of that

Technical stuff is something I am certainly not offering advice/suggestions on !!

And I understand why you would want to use free electricity (who wouldn't !!)

I'm sure there is a way to do it. As I said hoovie makes devices that might be what you need. Good luck with the project

 

[xsparks]

Hi Steve. Is it the supply from the external van socket you wish to change? It's not clear from your explanation. If so can I suggest you look at Techno's auto change over system in resources.

 

[xsparks]

You could replace the contactor for something like this.

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[olley]

I used one of these.
Heschen Universal Rotary Cam Selector Changeover Switch SZW26-20/D202.2 660V 20A ON-OFF-ON 3 Position 2 Phase 8 Terminals CE https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B07L8SJXGV/?tag=mhf04-21

 

[Steve and Denise]

You could replace the contactor for something like this. View attachment 738972

No Peter nothing to do with the van the van is all automatic on the inverter side of things

 

[xsparks]

I'm obviously missing a key piece of information here. Is the plug for the van not compatible with the house or is distance the problem?

 

[autorouter]

You need a Double Pole Double Throw (DPDT) switch. Wire the lights (Live and Neutral) to the centre pair of terminals. Then the two alternative supplies to the top and bottom pair.

Get a box with a blank plate on the front, and cut a rectangular hole the right size. Push the switch in until it clicks and holds in place. The switch in the link is a three position Centre Off type, which is safer in this situation with two different unsynchronised mains supplies. It makes sure one is definitely off before the other one is turned on.

RS PRO DPDT, Latching Rocker Switch Panel Mount | RS

uk.rs-online.com

Edit: I've changed the link because the first one was a momentary type (doesn't stay on when you let go of the switch)

 

[Steve and Denise]

That’s the one exactly what I had in mind then got chatting to a Electrician pal in the pub that’s where I went wrong

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[Steve and Denise]

I'm obviously missing a key piece of information here. Is the plug for the van not compatible with the house or is distance the problem?

I’ll explain it better when I see you Peter

 

[the1andonly]

manual switchover issolator
On amazon
Amazon product ASIN B097T3DXV8
I use the non boxed version to swap inputs (ehu invertor) to my van sockets.