Toggle Switches w/ Screw Terminals

[Ward H]

Working on my DC Distribution panel and need two toggle switches, SPDT for bilge pump and SPST for VHF.
I don't like switches with spade terminals so looking for toggle switches with screw terminals.
While a lot of the spade terminals are plated, all the toggle switches with screw terminals appear to be copper.
Is that what they are? Or are they brass?
I thought I could find some with plated terminals to reduce chance of corrosion.

Right now I'm thinking about the Cole Hersee toggle switches with screw terminals which have an amp rating of 25A.

 

[dlochner]

They are probably brass. Copper would be too soft.

 

[Charlie Jones s/v Tehani]

They are probably brass. Copper would be too soft.

agree

 

[LeslieTroyer]

Blue sea makes toggles with screws. That’s what I specs for Johns new panel.

 

[Ward H]

Les, Do you have a part number. I looked before and just looked again. All the photos show tabs and all the specs where they call out the connector list spade.

 

[LeslieTroyer]

Ward your correct they were spades. Must be the push button that are screws.

 

[Sefuller]

delcity.net may have something you could use. They are local to me and I often order heat shrink and terminals from them. I discovered this week they are owned by the group that owns Blue Sea Systems.

 

[Ward H]

delcity.net does have them but I ended up getting them from Fisheriessupply.com. They have the Cole Hersee toggles with combination phillips/slot head screws.
The first toggle switc
hes I got were cheaper than they appeared on line, the screws were slotted and got buggered up real fast.I was going to use the Blue Sea white paddle type toggle switches that come with the mounting plate to fit in slot for a type A breaker. Then decided I wanted toggle switches with screw connectors. Amazon had one of the BS white toggle with mount plate for something like $1.75 so I got a couple of them to mount the Cole Hersee switches into a BS 16 breaker panel.

 

[Mark Maulden]

I’m confused.. spades are basically ring terminals with the ends cut out and each end bent up. Both used in a screw configuration. So, what is the difference between a spade terminal and a screw terminal on a switch?

 

[DaveJ]

The spade terminals can be pulled off with excessive vibration, the ring terminal would be held fast by the screw.
dj

 

[Ward H]

Hi @Mark Maulden What you describe I know as locking fork terminals. Spade, tab or quick connect terminals are the push on/pull off type available in male or female ends.

 

[Mark Maulden]

Well, this is embarrassing. Of course, you’re right. What was I thinking?..

 

[LeslieTroyer]

The way to avoid them pulling out is with how you wire tie the bundle. Make sure the wire goes 90 degrees shortly after leaving the crimp and don’t have wires not tightly bound to the bundle.