LED Toggle Switch Questions??

[DDS]

I hope this is the most appropriate sub-forum for my question. I have a central vacuum system in my office that has a low voltage line running to 4 operatories that is activated by a small toggle switch. The toggles are rated 6A at 125VAC. My staff has broken two of them and I need replacements. I have always been annoyed that they continually leave the Vac running because they can't see if the small toggle arm is in the off or on position with a quick glance. I decided to pick up some LED toggles from Radio Shack to try. They are 30A 12VDC with 3 poles(power, ACC, ground). When I tried to hook them up I could get the switch to work with ACC and power connected to my two wires, but the LED would not light up. When I connected the wires to ground and power the LED would light up but no switch power. I then tried a ground wire to the ground pole without success. Obviously, I am not savvy with electrical/electronic issues so any help would be appreciated. My goal is to simply have a toggle switch that will light up in the on position. Thanks! Dave

 

[reptiles]

If you're working with 120vac, you generally can't use a 12 volt dc switch.

The easiest solution for an illuminated switch would be a 120 vac switch with a 120 volt neon lamp indicator.

http://www.buxcomm.com/catalog/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=22&products_id=1429

If you're really switching 12vdc then you need a switch that has the correct number of poles and jump a switched side to the LED (assuming it is resistored for 12vdc.)



Regards,

Mark