CONTINUOUSWAVE

Q:1 Because [the an illuminated power switch] does not to illuminate when pressed, that does that the [load controlled by the switch[ is not getting any power?

Q2: Does it mean that the switches actually get their own power?

Q3: [If the switch has power] then why wouldn't the switch illuminate?

Ratking20 wrote:Q:1 Because [an illuminated power switch] does not to illuminate when pressed, that does that the [load controlled by the switch[ is not getting any power?

You can make such an inference, but the lack of illumination could be due to another cause, such as the illuminating lamp has failed or the wiring for the lamp illumination is missing or there is no power provided to the switch due to an open fuse or open circuit breaker.

Generally wiring of illuminated switches, particularly rocker switches, can be quite unusual.

In this case the OP mentioned (elsewhere) that the control panel was "re-wired" and probably had new switches. The typical marine rocker switch can be ordered in hundreds of variations. Unless the exact same model switch was used to replace the original, there is no guarantee the wiring of the switch in terms of what wire went to what terminal would be identical.

Ratking20 wrote:Q2: Does it mean that the switches actually get their own power?

I believe you are asking this question: If an illuminated power control switch that is supposed to illuminate when in the energized position does not illuminate is that indicative that there is no power being supplied to the switch?

You could make that inference, but there are other causes. See my earlier reply to your question Q1.

Note that generally a switch used to control a load will have some type of over-current protection device associated with that circuit and located upstream of the switch. A reason any control switch might not be getting power is due to an interruption in the power from a fuse or circuit breaker.

Ratking20 wrote:Q3: [If the switch has power] then why wouldn't the switch illuminate?

See my reply to your question Q1.

For an power control switch with illumination that is supposed to be shown when the switch is in the energized position, and when the switch is moved to the energized position and no illumination is shown, the causes are:

• there is no power being supplied to switch, either due to a wiring error or a fuse or circuit breaker having opened to protect the circuit from excess current
• the switch has power but the lamp illumination circuit is mis-wired
• the switch has power and is properly wired, but the lamp for the illumination has failed

For an power control switch with illumination that is supposed to be shown when the switch is in the energized position, and when the switch is moved to the energized position and illumination is shown, the reasonable inferences are:

• there is power supplied to the switch
• the lamp illumination is properly wired
• the lamp is not burned out
• there is power being sent to a load connected to the switch, assuming that the circuit for the load is indeed wired to be controlled by the switch.

More information specific to modern Boston Whaler boats and illuminated rocker control switches is provided in a separate article on a corollary topic. See

Navigation Lamp Circuits Used on Newer Boston Whaler Boats
viewtopic.php?f=9&t=4136&p=23400#p23400

An instance where the switch can have power but the light doesn't illuminate would be if there is a loose or no ground to the switch. The ground on the switch's only purpose is for the light.