Toggle switch position protocol

[LenS]

First, I'll admit that this is kind of silly, but I'm having a difference with my wife and if there's any chance at all that I can win, I want to!

We used to have a vertical toggle switch in our bathroom that controlled both the lights and the exhaust fan. The fan annoyed my wife so when the switch died recently, I replaced it with two switches in a duplex housing and wired one switch for the lights and the second switch for the fan. The new switches are horizontal so they'll fit into the original circuit box. (Yes, I cautioned my wife to be sure to run the fan when she was showering to exhaust the high humidity.)

Anyway, I positioned the switches so that the toggles were to the left when the switches are OFF, and to the right when they're ON. My wife says that's backwards, that the switches should be to the right for OFF and to the left for ON.

Is there a right and wrong to this? Is there a code or something? Or even a wiring convention (like it is conventional to position vertical switches so they're in the up position for ON)?

I'll appreciate any comments or suggestions.

-Len I

[Greg O]

Even if you win, you still lose! Change the switches. Life will be more pleasant! Greg

[Greg O]

This is one of those times that you back to your wife and tell her, "Dear, I thought about it a bit, and decided that it is not that important to me which way the switches go, but it seems to be important to you so I will change them for you". Greg

[PrecisionMachinisT]

My bet's he wont end up doing this......after all--why did he did come here to try and get others to help back him up on this ???

FWIW: I agree with him in that the 'ON' position should be to the right....

[James "Cubby" Culbertson]

It sounds as though it's not to the "SWMBO Code" which says she wins just about anytime she wants! Cheers, cc

[cc0112453]

I don't remember hearing about any code for switch etiquette. I'm still arguing with my wife about which way the toilet paper should hang. With the loose end on the outside or the inside. I think it's the outside. Are we talking about the switches left or the left of the person looking at it. Generally you refer to right and left of an object as if it had its own left and right. So it's left would be your right if you were facing it. Like the right side of the car would be the passengers side even if you were standing in front of it looking at it. We have to agree on this first. Speaking in terms of the switches right and left I feel that the natural off position would be on its right side (your left). If anything follows the rules for switches it would be a breaker in an electrical box. I just checked my breaker box and there are two vertical rows of switches. The row on my left switches off to my left and the row on the right switches off to my right. I'm thinking you better ask her and do it that way or you will be paying for this in other ways even if you are right (who's right?) It isn't worth it.

[Joseph Meehan]

It is on the outside. Just consider how ugly it will look when you have the printed stuff and you see that plain white layer showing if you put it on the inside.

However, for the married man, there is a code SOMBO.

[Joseph Meehan]

As noted the SOMBO code applies. Make it a big thing, and tell you that you are not only going to Change the switch positions, but you are going to replace the very noisy fan with a good quality quiet one.

I can see a fresh baked cherry pie and a great night ahead. Well worth the cost of the fan and effort.

[Darryl]

Here's how I see it: if the switch is near a door, it depends on how the door opens.

If the switch is inside a room that you are entering, & the outside doorknob is on the right, you're going to open the door with your right hand, & reach for the light with your left. That means your thumb will be in position to find & flick the switch on, so the switch should be set so that pushing AWAY from the door turns it on.

When you leave the room, you're facing the switch head-on, and it's easier to push it off (toward the door) using your fingertips.

In both cases, you're pushing the switch in the direction that you are traveling through the door.

And while everyone else is apparently married to wives who are always right, I must be the only one who is not. Consquently, I agree with my wife when she's right, & disagree when she's not. Always giving in to her view in every dispute is a sure way to end up with every room in the house painted "Victorian Garden Pink".

[LenS]

Hah! Funny you should mention the toilet paper thing because it's one of the few things on which my wife and I agree. We like the loose end on the inside. In all fairness, however, I must point out that most toilet paper with printed designs is printed so the design is displayed when the loose end is on the outside. And, I can tell you after more than 30 years of working in hotels, they put the paper in so the loose end is on the outside. Then they can fold those pretty pointed ends.

The right and left I referred to was from my point of view looking at the switch. So you and I agree on the natural position of the switch when it's OFF; my left, the switch's right.

Thanks for the comments.

-Len

..............

[LenS]

Thanks to everyone who responded to my switch position inquiry, including those who simply advised keeping peace in the family. My wife and I have been married nearly 51 years so we've found ways to disagree without being disagreeable, and to find some humor wherever we can.

Now, as to the switches, I dug out the installation sheet that came with them. While it certainly isn't official on the matter of position, the illustrations DO show the switches installed the way I put them in. So there!

Thanks again!

-Len

[Percival P. Cassidy]

And the Eagle brand switch I have here (still unused) has OFF to the left and ON to the right (as I look at it) when the switch is held so that the wording on the metal bracket is the right way up.

HOWEVER, if your beloved insists on having the switch the other way, just do it. You'll get used to it.

Perce

On 03/02/05 04:02 pm LenS tossed the following ingredients into the ever-growing pot of cybersoup:

[Tekkie]

LenS posted for all of us....

I didn't see anyone else suggest this: flip ONE switch - the fan one! That will get her goat. hehe

[PrecisionMachinisT]

Good idea !!!

But alas, Im pretty sure those are ganged and so its just not possible to do that........

[modervador]

That's the way I do it. The way I see it, you're sticking your hand into the dark room, moving it from the door towards the switch. When you bump the switch, you want it to turn ON.

That's a good way of looking at it too.

%mod%

[Joe S]

I imagine you also believe the toilet paper goes over the top.

(which is also correct!)

[Joe S]

Compromise is the key....

Since she likes the light and doesn't like the fan, arrange the light her way and the fan your way.

I'm SURE this will lead to harmony in your house!

[Marilyn & Bob]

FWIW: I looked at a ganged switch/receptacle. I think everyone would agree that in that case, under normal circumstances,the receptacle is meant to be below the switch so that the plugged in cord does not hang over the switch. Installed this way, OFF is to the viewers left.