delay switch for shabbat

Asked by Benyamin K. · August 28, 2002 · Shabbat

Question

On the topic below. I have a business relationship with an electrician and I asked him if there are switches that work with a delay built in to them. (They are used in theaters a lot) Can I have one installed in my house in my dining room and use it to turn on and off the lights? It sounds to me it can be the same concept as the pin in the timer, only the delay is 30 seconds and not 15 minutes. Can this delay switch be considered a gramma as well. Respectfully, Benyamin K

Answer

Answered by Aaron Abadi

This is permitted & you do it every Shabbat. You open your Fridge and let in air that eventually turns on the compressor, you open your door that make the A/C or heat go on. You wouldn't make it thru a Shabbat without this Heter. The difference is that turning on a switch is a direct action & setting a timer is an indirect action, AKA a Gramah. AA