It is possible to reverse the phase and neutral in the combination of cable and wall socket, at least that's how it is here. I like to completely cut off the power supply to the device with a switch. It's not mandatory of course, it's just desirable.
In the EU both L and N must be switched as Schuko is not polarised. So when a single pole is switched and it coincidentally is N then L still is live in the device. Since this has lead to a number of incidents the breakers in modern home installations also cut off both L and N. Three phase can be an exception. There are 3 phase breakers that cut off N later than the phases.
It is a good habit to switch both for various reasons. One of them a more or less guarantee that nothing can happen when it is switched off.
Also no possible backfeed.
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Our installation rule is that when looking at wall socket, the phase is on the right and neutral on the left, GND up and down. I've checked multiple times and it's always connected like that. Wire colors are brown/grey/black on phases, blue on neutral and yellow-green on GND. GND and neutral are connected to the ground rail in the main cabinet, and the GND rail is connected to the grounding of the building. The only problem is that the cable can get stuck either way. It's really stupid, but unfortunately that's how it is. In some countries they have asymmetrical sockets, so it can never be reversed.
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In North America neutral and hot are different sizes so not possible to reverse. It is possible the outlet could be wired wrong I suppose.
I lived in Germany a long time ago and remember using an adapter for my stereo which was not polarized. Good chance I was switching neutral instead of hot. Yikes!
I lived in Germany a long time ago and remember using an adapter for my stereo which was not polarized. Good chance I was switching neutral instead of hot. Yikes!
Or both.
Schuko is one of the best inventions in electric energy distribution. We’ll cover the fact that is not polarised with a cloak of PE 🙂
Schuko is one of the best inventions in electric energy distribution. We’ll cover the fact that is not polarised with a cloak of PE 🙂
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Definitely needed some Zen the last couple days.
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Bravo! Exactly as meant. A both creative and definitive repair.
Maybe it helps others with that same weak Alps switch to mention the brand and type of the new switch and the required extra hardware. Then people do not need to reinvent the wheel.
Maybe it helps others with that same weak Alps switch to mention the brand and type of the new switch and the required extra hardware. Then people do not need to reinvent the wheel.
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This is the switch I used:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00NTROK8Y?psc=1&ref=ppx_pop_mob_b_asin_title
Because of space constraints several mod's were needed.
I removed one section and converted it to a single pole. The two black pieces that hold the sections together had to be shortened. When separating the switch halves, I would suggest doing it inside a plastic bag. It's easy for the contacts to fall out and the springs to go flying. I lost a couple to the ether but I only needed one, so no loss.
The 6mm post adapter had to be drilled out slightly to accommodate the square switch shaft, which I also had to shorten. One corner of the housing also had to be cut off.
Despite the low price it feels like a robust switch and is a much better solution than what I had.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00NTROK8Y?psc=1&ref=ppx_pop_mob_b_asin_title
Because of space constraints several mod's were needed.
I removed one section and converted it to a single pole. The two black pieces that hold the sections together had to be shortened. When separating the switch halves, I would suggest doing it inside a plastic bag. It's easy for the contacts to fall out and the springs to go flying. I lost a couple to the ether but I only needed one, so no loss.
The 6mm post adapter had to be drilled out slightly to accommodate the square switch shaft, which I also had to shorten. One corner of the housing also had to be cut off.
Despite the low price it feels like a robust switch and is a much better solution than what I had.
