what does the AX stand for on light switches?

[Rampage]

The A is obviously amps, but whats the X?

 

[IQ Electrical]

The A is obviously amps, but whats the X?

The 'X' means that the rating of the switch still applies on inductive as well as resistive loads.

 

[Rampage]

Excellent, thanks.
So a 6AX would handle 6x1.8=10.8amps? Total current if using fluorescents for example?

 

[Knobhead]

The opposite way around, the current breaking capacity is lower for inductive loads. Making, it doesn’t matter if it’s unity or inductive, breaking, the disturbance caused to the AC wave form by the inductive load makes the arc harder to break.

As for general loading do not exceed the rated current, you have to take the thermal effect on the contacts in to account.

Basically 6A = 6A MAX. For highly inductive loads I personally would down rate the switch from 6A to 4A. I’ve had my fingers burnt to many times by switches controlling banks of fluorescents.