Trip switches,….why?

[David and Sally]

…do they work the opposite way to normal switches. Normal is up for off. Trips is up for on.

why?

The recent threads on trip switches made me think there must be a logical reason.

 

[Chris]

Cos if it was on when it was down, you might trip over it

 

[Stealaway]

Up for on is common in many other countries.
It doesn't matter because it tells you which way is ON & OFF

 

[The Wino]

I assumed it was because it's easier to flick a switch down than up if you want to switch it off quickly.

 

[meanders]

No .. goes back to old style open breakers which had a heavy hardwood handle. The current kept the trip up unless overloaded when the 'trip would drop'. If they went up for off, gravity might take over hence reconnecting the supply. Even in the last half century, switches were heavy. With the rise of plastics and minuterisation, it would be less of an issue, but still safer than the other way round.

If you watch the original Titanic film, Night to Remember, you will see them frantically throwing the trips back in.

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[gus-lopez]

No .. goes back to old style open breakers which had a heavy hardwood handle. The current kept the trip up unless overloaded when the 'trip would drop'. If they went up for off, gravity might take over hence reconnecting the supply. Even in the last half century, switches were heavy. With the rise of plastics and minuterisation, it would be less of an issue, but still safer than the other way round.

If you watch the original Titanic film, Night to Remember, you will see them frantically throwing the trips back in.

what he said.^^^^^^^^^^^^

 

[David and Sally]

Now I know. Thanks

 

[meanders]

Now I know. Thanks

And you were right about there being a logical reason.

Most technical equipment is up for on. It's really only our houses that are upside down. Most of the rest of world it's up for on.

 

[pappajohn]

I think the reason is when they are down (off) they can't accidentally be knocked up (on)
If it was down for on it could be accidently knocked on by something falling against it.
That's the reason I was given by a senior/master electrician.

 

[pappajohn]

If you watch the original Titanic film, Night to Remember, you will see them frantically throwing the trips back in.

Well they would, that was an American film.... America is up for on

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[jockaneezer]

Well they would, that was an American film.... America is up for on

That would have confused them on The Poseidon Adventure then ?

 

[tonyidle]

My van was obviously built as an experiment to determine which 'off' position was better. Around half the switches worked one way and the rest the opposite way. I came down in favour of the majority (a majority of one) and made them all up for off.

 

[Mike800966]

I always remember it as
It fell down
Hence off
Does that help
Mike

 

[BouncyBoatFolk]

I worked for a very well heeled woman, [but not very bright and rather OCD] where in the rather majestic hallway of their mansion there was two lots of two way switching. In order to comply with her [OCD] we had to walk through the darkness of the hallways in order that the symmetry of the hallway switches having to be in the "all up, or all down position" was not offended by one switch being in the wrong position.
Oh and on another occasion I was tasked with sorting a new vacuum cleaner, unexpectedly I was asked my advise on the subject. I volunteered that we had just acquired a Dyson, [ this was 25 years ago] and we were very pleased with it's performance. So off to shop I trot and purchase said Dyson, take it back and unpack it in front of her to marvel over.
Assemble said vacuum, and randomly start hoovering a piece of carpet. 2 minutes later I call her to bear witness to the superior cleaning power of the dyson over a more conventional cleaner, the considerable dust deposits plain to see in the clear dust catcher. In absolute amazement she stared at the contents. " Where has all that dust come from" she enquired. Slightly taken aback I stammered, " well out of that carpet, you just saw me hoover it" at which she started shrieking," No no no, I have already hoovered that area this morning", again slightly nonplussed I continued " It just goes to show the difference in performance ", however, her never knowingly wrong about anything, ever, countered with, " Well, they must send them out with dust already in them to make them look good", and off she flounced. Said Dyson was never used in the house again, and was relegated to the garage for hoovering out the cars!!
Mike.

 

[BillyKontiki]

in my game it’s always fall to safety whether it’s a switch or a valve.