Adding an inline on/off switch to ZW275 power cord

Rather than cutting the cord, why not spend a few bucks on a remote-controlled on-off switch.  You can wear the switch around your neck on a lanyard and it then also serves as a panic or emergency shut-off switch.  They were less than $10 the last time I bought one. 

Bill

To answer your main question, it does not matter on the non-polarized plug which side is switched.

WftTrains posted:

Rather than cutting the cord, why not spend a few bucks on a remote-controlled on-off switch.  You can wear the switch around your neck on a lanyard and it then also serves as a panic or emergency shut-off switch.  They were less than $10 the last time I bought one. 

Bill

 

cool idea. I will have to find one up.

BackYardBill,

ETEKCITY right on the Net will deliver them right to your door, you get 5 plug in remote control switches and 2 Hand Held remote controls in the package and they work great.  Have 2 or 3 set of them now.

PCRR/Dave

bmoran4 posted:

To answer your main question, it does not matter on the non-polarized plug which side is switched.

I doesn't matter, but plug the side the switch is wired to into the narrow blade side of the receptacle.

The remote control switch sounds handy.
I use a power strip with a switch, mounted within easy reach on a leg by my small control station.

BackYardBill posted:

WftTrains posted:

Rather than cutting the cord, why not spend a few bucks on a remote-controlled on-off switch.  You can wear the switch around your neck on a lanyard and it then also serves as a panic or emergency shut-off switch.  They were less than $10 the last time I bought one. 

Bill

 

cool idea. I will have to find one up.

Bill:

Here's a link to the one I recently bought at Lowe's: https://www.lowes.com/pd/Utilitech-Black/3798937

Note that it has two outlets so you can plug two transformers into it if you need to.

Bill

Get a power strip that is rated for your transformers with an on off switch. I've been doing that for years and it works great.

It looks like the switch in your picture is only rated for 3 amps, Idon't think that is big enough. I agree with LOU1985 to go with a power strip.

What is the amp rating for my ZW 275?

Great calculator for anything:

https://www.wolframalpha.com/i...275W+at+110V+to+amps

I went to this site to calc the amps. I don't know if this is correct or not, but it shows max amps to be less than 3. What do you think?

Bill the resistive rating for the remote on/off outlet is 13A/1625W and the tungsten rating is 8A/1000W so NO I wouldn't use it with a ZW.  Its intended purpose is for plug in lighting such a table lamps, security lighting, landscape lighting and Christmas lighting.  As others have said your best bet is to use a good power strip.

Here is what I use Bill.  I like the Stanley if you want a remote switch. The remote has the capability to pair with as many receiver plugs as you want. Or, if you want simple, the Pass & Seymour switch for 5 bucks at most hardware stores. The Stanley was 12 at Big Lots.

The 275 watts is input, so that's about 2.3 amps ac thru the cord. As for the suggested remote switches, any of them would be fine. I been using that black remote suggested above for several years to power up a ZW-C with four bricks. I think the tungsten rating on that remote switch is lower because of the surge of amps into a cold tungsten filament. As to the inductive load of a transformer, I think it has some back emf issues when switching off, but the rating seems ample.

I’ve been using one of those remote set ups (along with a power strip) for my ZW on my PW style layout for years now. Very convenient and have had no issues. Still,  some good information in this thread to consider.

I could not find the remote devices in my area. So I bought this one at Home Depot for $9.61.  Thanks to all for the advice and product recommendations.

Looks good!

I wear the remote switch on my wrist. It saves step when I'm working on track and need to power up every few minutes and also makes a great panic button.

As a fyi my two transformer layout (275W ZW, 250W Z) pull about 5 amps at 120 volts. So you want a power strip rated at at least 3 amps for a single ZW. Most power strips are rated at 15 amps, but check before you buy.