3 Way Bilge Pump Switch Panel Wiring

Discussion in 'OnBoard Electronics & Controls' started by mikealston2428, Dec 15, 2015.

  1. mikealston2428
    Joined: Jul 2011
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    Location: aussie

    mikealston2428 Senior Member

    Hi All,

    The black wire.

    Does this get earthed or run back to battery negative terminal ??

    Thanks,
    Mike.
     

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  2. gonzo
    Joined: Aug 2002
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    gonzo Senior Member

    That's the earth or ground for the light in the switch.
     
  3. PAR
    Joined: Nov 2003
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    Location: Eustis, FL

    PAR Yacht Designer/Builder

    There's really no "earth" on 12 VDC circuits, just a hot leg, the device and a return to the negative leg, to complete any circuit. From a technical standpoint you don't need to return to the ground post, you can measure resistance on just one side, like a fuel tank sender, but in general, if you have power coming into a device, in order to energize it, the "loop" must be completed. In the case of a pump, you break the hot feed going to the pump with a switch, so when you want you can stop or start the flow of electrons through the "loop". To directly answer your question, yep the black wire goes to a busbar in the dash or instrument panel, which will eventually take the juice back to the battery's negative terminal. Think of 12 VDC circuits as a single wire, going from the positive to the negative posts, with some kind of resistance and control devices attached in route.
     

  4. mikealston2428
    Joined: Jul 2011
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    Location: aussie

    mikealston2428 Senior Member

    Thanks PAR
     
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