|   Amp Switching | Sx
Nov 6, 2003 5:34 AM | | Want to be able to switch the front speakers between an AV receiver and a Stereo amp. It seems impossible to find an amp selection switch. Can a two way speaker switch be used in reverse for amp switching? Is it safe for the amps and speakers? Your advice would be greatly appreciated. |
| re: Amp Switching | poneal
Nov 6, 2003 11:53 AM | | Maybe what you need is a speaker selector box. Here is a link http://www.smarthome.com/82802.html
Hope this helps. |
| Yes you can ... BUT | woodman
Nov 6, 2003 2:36 PM | | Yes, you CAN use a "speaker selector switch" to switch amplifiers instead of switching speakers.
It will be safe for both the speakers and the amps - but with one word of caution. Most speaker switches allow for either one or BOTH pairs of speakers to be turned "on" at the same time. With speakers this is OK ... with amps it is NOT! Just be sure that both amps are not switched "on" at the same time. In other words, you don't want both amps connected to the speakers at the same time.
Hope this helps you
woodman |
| re: Amp Switching | skeptic
Nov 7, 2003 1:55 PM | | This can be accomplished with a 4 pole double throw break before make switch. Personally, I would bring all of the leads from the switch to terminal strips or 5 way binding posts. Be extremely careful not to short circuit any of the leads or there could be an expensive disaster. I would not use a speaker selector switch as this performs a different function that is not suitable for this purpose. If you don't know what you are doing get help from someone who does. Accidentally short circuiting the output of two amplifiers, or the hot leads of two channels from the same amplifier can lead to a lot of damage. Make a careful project of it and mount everything on a nice box with open wiring and you won't have any problems. If you can't manage it yourself or aren't too handy with a soldering gun, get the help of someone who is. This is not a tough project. BTW, you are better off with a heavy duty industrial type switch rated about 10 amps or more from an electrical supply house, not an inexpensive slide switch from an electronics store. This is one time when the extra cost is definitely worth it. |
| re: Amp Switching | Sx
Nov 8, 2003 6:27 AM | | Thanks for the advice. Could you explain a little further on why a two way speaker selector is not suited for amp switching? |
| re: Amp Switching | skeptic
Nov 8, 2003 11:59 AM | | Woodman said it as well as I could have;
"Most speaker switches allow for either one or BOTH pairs of speakers to be turned "on" at the same time. With speakers this is OK ... with amps it is NOT! Just be sure that both amps are not switched "on" at the same time. In other words, you don't want both amps connected to the speakers at the same time."
Should you inadvertantly throw the switch into a position where both amplifiers are tied together at their outputs, there is every chance to severely damage both of them. this type of switch should never be used for this purpose for exactly this reason. Inevitably, the worst will happen even by accident.
Personally, I'd visit an electrical supply house and ask for an industrial grade 4 pole double throw break before make switch such as an Appleton or Square D. These types of heavy duty switches are used for operating machinery and are very suitable for switching of this type. The light duty electronic switches often sold at electronics supply stores are not rated to handle enough current to avoid long term deterioration due to arcing. You can reduce the risk of damage to both the switches and amplifiers even further by turning off both amplifiers before switching. Or at least truning the volume way down on both. You will be switching an inductive load and if there is much current at the time of switching, you will invariably draw an arc. |
| re: Amp Switching | Sx
Nov 9, 2003 4:43 PM | | Thank you kindly. |
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