Simviation Forum - Switching Allegiances!...

Nov 12^th, 2012 at 11:34am

Fozzer Offline
Colonel
An elderly FS 2004 addict!
Hereford. England. EGBS.

Posts: 24861

As you will be aware, the various electrical switches in Britain (at least) are designed to be switched; "down", for "on".

Over the years I have gradually got used to the various toggle, etc, switches in all of my aircraft, particularly American manufactured aircraft, to be switched "up" for "on"...

...except...

The panel switches on my Boeing 737-400, which are switched "DOWN" for "on"!

What reason would Boeing have, to change their mind for this particular model?... Shocked

...!

I am forever switching my various Lights, Pitot heat, etc, off, instead of on!... Embarrassed

...!

I find it very Confucius..... Wink

....if not dangerous!.. Shocked

..!

Paul....Confuciusicating.... Wink

..!

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Reply #1 - Nov 12^th, 2012 at 2:16pm

Hagar Offline
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My Spitfire Girl
Costa Geriatrica

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Not only US manufactured aircraft. I've always understood the "Up for On" on aircraft electrical switches originated with the mag switches which in the early days were ordinary brass light switches. You will know that magnetos are earthed (grounded) to switch off the engine. This involves closing the circuit which in Britain would normally mean moving the switch Down. As more electrical equipment was fitted to aircraft the switches followed the same convention. Up for ON - Down for OFF. As I said, that's what I was told when I first started in the business & I've believed it ever since.

I can't speak for Boeing. They are a law unto themselves.

Incidentally, until comparatively recently the throttle levers on French & Polish aircraft worked in the opposite direction to those from most other countries. I could never figure out the logic behind that. Huh

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Reply #2 - Nov 16^th, 2012 at 2:18am

H Offline
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2003: the year NH couldn't
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NH, USA

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Hagar wrote on Nov 12^th, 2012 at 2:16pm:

Incidentally, until comparatively recently the throttle levers on French & Polish aircraft worked in the opposite direction to those from most other countries. I could never figure out the logic behind that.

Grammatically speaking, the French have been that way. Baton Rouge, originally a French settlement, actually translates to English (U.K. or U.S.) as "Stick Red" (nouns precede their adjectives). Of course, if you're aware of the cartoon booklet from WWII, the Polish aircraft had its propeller reverse-mounted at the rear (this was a comic publication... we're aware of the Polish army trying to resist with out-dated units and the continued efforts of Free Polish airmen flying from British airfields).

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Reply #3 - Nov 16^th, 2012 at 5:28pm

Steve M Offline
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Cambridge On.

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30 years ago I had a 30 minute arguement with a so called master electrician. He had set up a large office building with all the light switches set to up as being off. I gave up and let it go. 2 months later the powers that be made him come back and turn all the switches over so that up was on. It was around 2000 switches. When the business took possession of the new building the employees complained so much that the change had to be made. Now days of course they install motion detectors so if your sleeping at your desk the lights will go out!

Flying with twins is a lot of fun..

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Reply #4 - Nov 16^th, 2012 at 6:17pm

Fozzer Offline
Colonel
An elderly FS 2004 addict!
Hereford. England. EGBS.

Posts: 24861

......Steve M wrote on Nov 16^th, 2012 at 5:28pm:

..... Nowadays, of course, they install motion detectors, so if you're sleeping at your desk the lights will go out!

...

...!

Paul... Grin

...!

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Reply #5 - Nov 18^th, 2012 at 1:50pm

DaveSims Offline
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Clear Lake, Iowa

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Posts: 2453

Funny you bring this up. I have always been accustomed to up-on down-off switches. Yesterday my fire department just received its newest engine, and all of its switches are the other way around, up-off and down-on. I think I know why though, the old man owner/founder of the company is an antique European car fanatic, and it would make sense that these may have had an influence.

Sidenote, his latest project is rebuilding a 1910-1920 or so Rolls Royce that he bought at an auction in about 80 large boxes. Even the transmission and engine have had to be put back together piece by piece.

Dave

www.flymcw.com

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Reply #6 - Nov 19^th, 2012 at 5:37pm

Fozzer Offline
Colonel
An elderly FS 2004 addict!
Hereford. England. EGBS.

Posts: 24861

DaveSims wrote on Nov 18^th, 2012 at 1:50pm:

Funny you bring this up. I have always been accustomed to up-on down-off switches. Yesterday my fire department just received its newest engine, and all of its switches are the other way around, up-off and down-on. I think I know why though, the old man owner/founder of the company is an antique European car fanatic, and it would make sense that these may have had an influence.

Sidenote, his latest project is rebuilding a 1910-1920 or so Rolls Royce that he bought at an auction in about 80 large boxes. Even the transmission and engine have had to be put back together piece by piece.

Dave...

...you would not believe the confusion I have to go through each and every morning, to decide the correct switching arrangement, between my Cessna 150 and my electric kettle... Undecided

....

No wonder my electric kettle never seems to boil!... Angry

...!

Paul... Grin

...

...!

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Reply #7 - Nov 21^st, 2012 at 2:51pm

Bud Greene Offline
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Beyond the grey sky...

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Ah. c'mon guys! There's a simple solution to this dilemma.
The Clapper! Smiley

Surely ya'll remember that wonderful 80's era ad with the catchy tune! Cheesy

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MTNuJXi6UUk

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Reply #8 - Nov 23^rd, 2012 at 10:27pm

BLAZE Offline
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BUILT LIKE A MACK TRUCK!
Spring City Pa. United States

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Sort-of-on the same subject, I wonder why the british and some other country's drive on the WRONG side of the road? Grin

hee.. heee Love ya britain Wink

"May the wind always be at your back and the sun upon your face. And may the wings of destiny carry you aloft to dance with the stars" Cheers George!

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Reply #9 - Nov 24^th, 2012 at 3:37am

expat Offline
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Deep behind enemy lines!

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BLAZE wrote on Nov 23^rd, 2012 at 10:27pm:

Sort-of-on the same subject, I wonder why the british and some other country's drive on the WRONG side of the road? Grin

hee.. heee Love ya britain Wink

It is what my German wife calls, "wrong hand drive".... Grin

Matt

PETA People Eating Tasty Animals.

B1 Boeing 737-800 and Dash8 Q-400

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Reply #10 - Nov 25^th, 2012 at 12:36am

H Offline
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2003: the year NH couldn't
save face...
NH, USA

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Posts: 6837

BLAZE wrote on Nov 23^rd, 2012 at 10:27pm:

Sort-of-on the same subject, I wonder why the british and some other country's drive on the WRONG side of the road?

When they can't figure out what's right, they use what's left...

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Reply #11 - Nov 25^th, 2012 at 12:28pm

Bud Greene Offline
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Beyond the grey sky...

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Posts: 49

Since we're on the subject of wrong/right/left, remember...
Two wrongs don't make a right but three rights make a left! Cheesy

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Reply #12 - Nov 30^th, 2012 at 1:04am

H Offline
Colonel
2003: the year NH couldn't
save face...
NH, USA

Gender:
Posts: 6837

Bud Greene wrote on Nov 25^th, 2012 at 12:28pm:

Since we're on the subject of wrong/right/left, remember...
Two wrongs don't make a right but three rights make a left! Cheesy

In a roundabout, howbeit, angular, way...

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