mini toggle switches - do they have higher amp rating with lower voltages?

Classic Toy Trains Forum
1

As I have been looking at the specs for mini toggle switches I see that they usually have two ratings for AC voltage and amps:
5 amps @ 250 volts
10 amps @ 125 volts

Will the amps a switch can handle continue to increase if the voltage dropped?
20 amps @ 62.5 volts
40 amps @ 31.25 volts

(You also get these numbers by working with wattage: 5 amps * 250 volts = 1,250 watts. 1,250 watts / 31.25 volts = 40 amps)

Thanks,
Birds

2

No a set of contacts is rated for amperage not wattage.

3

There is a limit to how much lowering the voltage will increase the current rating. You can assume that if a higher rating could be gotten below 125 volts, the manufacturer would have claimed it.

4

In my experience when a third rating is given,usually 28VDC,the current rating for it is the same as 110 volts.

Dale Hz

5

Thanks for the replies. Makes perfect sense.

Oh and all my toggles are 10 amps @ 125 volts.

Thanks again,
Birds