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Proper procedure IS to disconnect the negative cable FIRST to prevent spark. That applies to a terminal connection at the battery. Batteries off gas and potentially COULD blow up .Not likely tho. For the electronics always disconnect the negative FIRST. For ultimate safety in the event of an accident though the switch should be on the positive side. AS said earlier that prevents ANY current flow in the system anywhere. Any decent quality 12V cutoff switch is well enough enclosed to not be an explosion hazard 99% of the time. TRhere ARE some cheapo POS cutoff switches that are exposed and IMO should NOT be used .
As far as I know they must use a 4 pole switch. Artie?http://www.gmpracingproducts.com.au/car-setup-equipment/switch-panel-switch-4-pole-battery-switch.php
Troj, the actual type os switch isnt stipulated BUT common sense would dictate a 4 pole for obvious reasons.Ive never heard so much tripe in my life Fabr...stop and think about it for a moment...On a negative earth chassis...the entire frame is part of the circuit.... Simply disconnecting the battery at the postive terminal leaves it open to accidental short circuits. Any body work or barwork near the positive terminal can potentialy SHORT out. By disconnecting the negative and removing current from teh chassis th eonly short that can now occur is directly across the terminals. Limiting the possibility (not ELIMINATING it though).No one mentioned electronics or current flow, that all came from your misunderstanding of the issue. Your thinking is also a little flawed in this area, when using jumper leads always disconnect the earth lead first because you DIDNT put it on the battery, its on a good earth on th eengine somewhere, so when it sparks it wont cause the gas produced by the battery (Hydrogen) to ignite... Disconnecting th eneg at the battery to stop sparks simply will not work.... so what if teh spark jumps FROM or TO the terminal (the difference between pos or neg disconnect), it will still ignite the gas!This regulation is about limiting possible damage or fire in teh case of an accident.Now im off to golf you guys are carzy..