household electrical question

[James O'Donnell]

Anyone seen a type of switch for 240V circuit which is a clockwork (not
digital) timer?
You simply wind the pointer round to the desired number of minutes (up
to 60 mins or so) and it keeps the circuit closed for that amount of
time e.g. for extractor fan in bathroom.

I last saw one of these in the USA 7 years ago but can't find them in
the UK.

Jim

 

[Tom Grqyson]

| Anyone seen a type of switch for 240V circuit which is a clockwork (not
| digital) timer?
| You simply wind the pointer round to the desired number of minutes (up
| to 60 mins or so) and it keeps the circuit closed for that amount of
| time e.g. for extractor fan in bathroom.
|
| I last saw one of these in the USA 7 years ago but can't find them in
| the UK.
|
| Jim

In Australia we have some timeswitches that sound like what you want.
There may be an equivilant in the US.

It is used for stairwell illumination. They normally have one at each door
and you press the big button in all the way. It has some sort of pnumatic
mechinism that only lets it come out slowly, As long as it is in, THe
circuit is made, and the last little bit out toggles the overcenter switch.

You adjust the time by adjusting the air bleed screw. After that the time is
almost always the same for every operation.

I Stuck one in a plastic box with a with a lead in and a lead out and used
them for the kids when they used to read a book at night time in bed.

I was able to get the time extended to about 30 minutes with a little
fiddling.

Tom Grayson

press the button and read. If it goes out

 

[Fads]

try these Mechanical Run Back timers
http://www.hydralectric.co.uk/detail.asp?ProductRef=3147&Ref=1490&Category=Time+Switches

Fads

 

[Rowbotth]

Anyone seen a type of switch for 240V circuit which is a clockwork (not
digital) timer?
You simply wind the pointer round to the desired number of minutes (up
to 60 mins or so) and it keeps the circuit closed for that amount of
time e.g. for extractor fan in bathroom.

I last saw one of these in the USA 7 years ago but can't find them in
the UK.

Jim

I have two of them purchased in North America within the past 2 years.
Manufacturer is "Intermatic". You might do a web search for the
manufacturer and see if they are available in the UK?

(Convenient little devils, aren't they?)

HR.

 

[James O'Donnell]

Thanks everyone. Surprising there's only one manufacturer of the
household version of such things. Maybe I should corner the supply
market for the UK! Household electricians haven't even heard of them.

Jim

Anyone seen a type of switch for 240V circuit which is a clockwork (not
digital) timer?
You simply wind the pointer round to the desired number of minutes (up
to 60 mins or so) and it keeps the circuit closed for that amount of
time e.g. for extractor fan in bathroom.

I last saw one of these in the USA 7 years ago but can't find them in
the UK.

Jim

--
========
James O'Donnell
School of Engineering and Electronics
The University of Edinburgh, King's Buildings, Mayfield Rd, Edinburgh
EH9 3JL
(Int +44) 131 650 5596, (Int +44) 131 650 6554 (FAX)
Jim.O'[email protected]
========

 

[Eric Palmer]

Most the ones I have used are pnewmatic not clockwork push button on outside
setting screw on inside.

Eric

 

[Mark Robinson]

I have one connected to my whole house fan - it is clockwork - you can hear
it ticking away in the wall