Google around for info on "illuminated wall switch". If there's a chance someone could put a CFL in your circuit it probably=20 won't work. We're moving to CFL bulbs where appropriate but kept one incandescent in=20 the ceiling fan to maintain the trickle current for a lighted wall switch. chuckc On 6/16/2011 10:19 PM, james tornes wrote: > I have an interesting problem. I have a mains circuit that looks like thi= s: > > mains---110VAC--+ on/off switch +-------------------+ load > +----------mains return > > The load is a regular incandescent light. I need to insert a 5V device > in series with the switch. The problem is that when the switch is off, > then the device also goes off. I have heard that leakage current could > be a way to still have a mostly functional switch and still be able to > provide power to the 5V device. But I haven't been able to find any > designs/circuits that show this. Anyone have any advice? > > Jim > =20 --=20 http://www.piclist.com PIC/SX FAQ & list archive View/change your membership options at http://mailman.mit.edu/mailman/listinfo/piclist .