Re: Strange Electrical switches

Thanks Jim..c

"Speedy Jim" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote in message news:[EMAIL PROTECTED]
> stig wrote:
> >
> > Hi, I bought my home in 1976. For some ungodly reason, the light
switches
> > were retrofit with these small, flat, half-oval switches. They are
connected
> > to a central 15 volt(?) transformer in a closet; when you push one of
these
> > switches down, you can hear a slight buzzing noise a few feet above it,
> > where a relay turns on the A.C. Someone told me that these are "mercury"
> > switches, but I cannot validate this. This is a MAJOR pain in the butt
for
> > me, as it will not allow me to put a dimmer anywhere in the house, but
the
> > REAL problem is that I cannot find these things ANYWHERE, and no
electrician
> > seems to know anything about them. They are starting to break, and I am
> > getting nervous. Any insight that you might be able to part with here?
> > Thanks, C
>
> It is likely a GE remote control (low voltage-24V) system.
> Became popular in the 60's and died out.
> There was no mercury involved; the relays are magnetically held.
>
> AFAIK the original GE devices are no longer made.
> One company is now making replacements for the
> RR-7 and RR-9 relays:
> http://www.reliantrelay.com/
>
> Ask at a large electrical supply house (not Lowes/HD).
>
> You sometimes see the GE units show up on eBay.
>
> For dimming, you would have to cut into the
> switch leg (120V) for the fixture.
>
> Jim