That is cool you have one at your workbench

I like the desing of this US switches. Something you never find here in Austria. Ours look like like these:
http://www.lighting-gallery.net/gallery/displayimage.php?pos=-75732

Very cool! I didn't know they sold these either! Do they come with a key or no? Would be cool to get one of these. I've always wanted to switch these, but was afraid using a metal object would shock me. So the real keys are actually metal? I guess there's no harm in using something metal then. I usually use a pen cap lol.

I thought this was a push-button switch at first

Cool switch

Its not uncommon here in Israel to find wires going straight through a box. Our wiring is made as single wires pulled into conduit, so you can pull through the wires that are not connected to anything and have less connections

And i agree with Prismatic. We have either the "traditional" European 55mm round box mounted switches, or the "Italian" modular units like Gewiss/Bticino.The latter are nice but are proprietary - once you install a box you can only install a switch from the same manufacturer in it. You in the US have a standard modular system that all manufacturers are compatible with

My school uses a different style of keyed switch made by Leviton. It requires a metal key with a few 90 degree bends in it. I looked it up online and found the correct key for them and bent a paperclip into that shape with pliers. I can't wait to test it on Monday.

There's a keyed switch in the boys' bathroom in my school that people can shut off with their fingers!

There are about a dozen different styles of standard keys for tamper resistant switches. Notice how I said tamper resistant and not tamper proof. They are merely to prevent casual operation by the public. Most keys are available separately, some types can operate more than one type of switch.

Tamper proof switches exist and are much more expensive. They typically operate on low voltage and use a mortise cylinder which can use a high security key and can be integrated in the building’s master key system. They are rarely used for lighting but mostly for security system override (fire alarm, security system, access control, etc) which are more sensitive than lighting. For more information, Google mortise cylinder switch.

Now, Fluorescent05, don’t get in trouble with your fabricated key...

I was able to turn off the lights in my school with a paper clip. It was always the main hall lights that had the key switches the bathrooms was a regular toggle switch. I would turn off the hall lights at least twice a week during the school day. I never got caught by the faculty.

There are about a dozen different styles of standard keys for tamper resistant switches. Notice how I said tamper resistant and not tamper proof. They are merely to prevent casual operation by the public. Most keys are available separately, some types can operate more than one type of switch.

Tamper proof switches exist and are much more expensive. They typically operate on low voltage and use a mortise cylinder which can use a high security key and can be integrated in the building’s master key system. They are rarely used for lighting but mostly for security system override (fire alarm, security system, access control, etc) which are more sensitive than lighting. For more information, Google mortise cylinder switch.

Now, Fluorescent05, don’t get in trouble with your fabricated key...

It's a replica of a Leviton 55500-PRT key. I guess the school figured that normal tamper resistant switches weren't enough to stop kids, so they had to use these. I bet I'll be the first one to beat the system.

My elementary school and middle school had tamper resistant switches similar to these. I used to use a filed-down pen cap tail to switch the lights on and off lol. My high school had regular switches throughout though, except for the MH uplights in the main foyer and library. I have a Cooper/Arrow-Hart 2-pole (240V) tamper resistant switch (box says brown but it's got a bare metal face) and a Leviton 3-way version in ivory. Both were NOS buys on eBay.

I remember these type of key switches from my high school days. I remember I was the only one at the time who knew how to turn off the lights when it was time to watch a VHS (Yes a VCR tape as I was in High School from 1998-2002)

I remember using a paper clip as I once saw the custodian using the actual key which was also made of metal.

I have always wondered what the interior looks like, the actual switch mechanism must be behind an insulator or something but I have never seen an inside view of a switch like this.


I do believe the lighting was 277VAC and the ballasts were instant start, I do remember seeing a rapid start system at the elementary school I attended. So when I went to high school I was surprised that there was no start up flicker

I am going on what I remember and what I know now about the different types of fluorescent ballasts

My elementary school and middle school had tamper resistant switches similar to these. I used to use a filed-down pen cap tail to switch the lights on and off lol. My high school had regular switches throughout though, except for the MH uplights in the main foyer and library. I have a Cooper/Arrow-Hart 2-pole (240V) tamper resistant switch (box says brown but it's got a bare metal face) and a Leviton 3-way version in ivory. Both were NOS buys on eBay.

Do you have pictures of those?