Bewildered! Electrical advice please.

Mikex

I have just spent a couple of days routeing some Hi Fi speaker cables through walls & under carpets etc.

My goal is to have a pair of speakers in the lounge and another pair in the dining room. Problem is my amplifier only has output for 1 pair of speakers.
I decided what I needed were some changeover switches. After a prolonged search I decided some Double Pole Double Throw switches would do the trick. I bought these from Maplins. They are 10amp AC toggle DPDT. I think their product code is G047.

Got all wired up and connected then the moment of truth and nowt happened. The switches just do not seem to want to carry the signal to the speakers. When I undo the tags and connect them together physically the speakers work fine.

What have I done wrong?

All help much appreciated.

Mike

Mikex

Sorry. Product code not as stated in original post.

It is:

JK30H F @ £3.19 each

Mike

Owain_Moneysaver

Probably you've misunderstood the connection pin-out of the switches.

Personally I would suggest buying a purpose-built switchbox eg N44CK or there are a fair few on ebay buy-it-now for about £5 + P&P. Eg item 260558786719 (no connection with the seller). They enable you to have either or both pairs of speakers on and prevent damage to the amplifier.

Mikex

Thank you Owain,

It is highly likely that I have not wired the switch correctly as there is no wiring diagram included with the switch! I will be contacting Maplin hoping they can supply one.

I was unaware purpose built switches were available. Is it possible to purchase them on the high street?

Mike

espresso

Mikex wrote: »

Thank you Owain,

It is highly likely that I have not wired the switch correctly as there is no wiring diagram included with the switch! I will be contacting Maplin hoping they can supply one.

Simple:

DPDT terminals

---

B

---

E

---

A

---

D

---

C

---

F


Connect amp

---

+ to A and - to D

Connect Spk 1

---

1 + to B and - to E

Connect Spk 2

---

2 + to C and - to F

e.g. pole A connects to B when pole D connects to E, when thrown A connects to C and D connetcs to F.

Mikex

Ref N44CK. I note this is a Maplins product. I did consider it previously but my speakers are 8 ohm and I see the N44CK is 4 ohm. Not sure if it would work?

If anyone understands these issues I would be pleased to read your comments.

Thanks

Mike

Mikex

Thanks espresso,

That was my guess and that what I did.

It did not work.

Cannot understand why?

Mike