Types of Switches and Their uses.

Types of Switches and their uses.

A Switch is a device which is designed to interrupt the current flow in a  Circuit , in other words, it can make a break an electrical circuit.

• Every Electrical and electronic application uses at least one switch to perform ON and OFF operation of the device.
• So, the Switches are the port of a control system and without it, control operation cannot be achieved.
• A switch can perform two functions, normally fully ON by closing its contacts or fully OFF by opening it contacts.
• When the contacts of a switch are closed, the switch creates the closed path for current flow and hence load consumes the power from source.
• When the contacts of a switch are open, no power will be consumed by the load.

TYPES OF SWITCHES

MECHANICAL SWITCH

Mechanical switches require physical or Manual contact with for operation.

ELECTRICAL SWITCH

Electrical switches not require  physical or manual contact, has ability to perform operation. Electrical switches operate under the action of Semi-conductors.

TYPES OF MECHANICAL SWITCHES

Mechanical Switches further classify in to different types of switches base on number of poles and throws.

1. Single pole single throw,(SPST).
2. Single pole Double throw,(SPDT). 
3. Double pole single throw,(DPST).
4. Double pole Double throw,(DPDT).
5. Intermediate Switch.

Latch Switch.

The latch switch hold its state whether ON or OFF until the new commands initiated this switch.

Momentary Switch.

Momentary Switch hold the state only the specific command is presented only.

Latch switch and Momentary Switch are eight types.

1. PUSH BUTTON SWITCH.
2. LIMIT SWITCH.
3. PRESSURE SWITCH.
4. FLOAT SWITCH.
5. TEMPERATURE SWITCH.
6. TOGGLE SWITCH. 
7. ROTARY SWITCH.
8. JOYSTICK SWITCH.

SINGLE POLE SINGLE THROW (SPST).

The SPST is a basic ON or OFF switch ,that is used to connect or break the connection between two terminals, This types of switch has one input and one output.

SINGLE POLE DOUBLE THROW(SPDT).

The SPDT switch is a three terminal switch, one terminal is used as input and remaining two terminals are used as outputs.

The application of SPDT switch is mainly involved in a three way circuit to turn ON or OFF a light from two location like from top and bottom for a stairway.

DOUBLE POLE SINGLE THROW,(DPST)

The DPST switch consists of two poles that means it includes two identical switches located on side by side.

DOUBLE POLE DOUBLE THROW,(DPDT)

 

This switch is equal to two SPDT switches ,it means two separate circuits, connecting two inputs of each circuit to one of two outputs.

INTERMEDIATE SWITCH

An Intermediate switch is where three points control the same circuit. this is very versatile switch and can be used fro most lighting situation, but in reality it is more expensive, So you would normally use it when needs.

That is when you have three switches controlling on light, then the middle on needs to be an intermediate

PUSH BUTTON SWITCH

A push button switch to make switch allows electricity to flow between it s two contact when held in.

When the buton is released, the circuit is broken, This type of switch is also known as a normally open switch.

 

LIMIT SWITCH

• Limit switch are used for controlling machinery as part of a control system, as a safety interlock, or to count objects passing a point.
• A limit switch is an electro-mechanical device that consists of an actuator mechanically linked to a set of contacts.
• When an object comes into contact with the actuator, the device operates the contacts to make or break an electrical connection.

 

PRESSURE SWITCH

• This type of switch consists of C-shape diaphragm. According to pressure, this diaphragm is indicating pressure.
• These Switches are used to sense pressure of air,water, oil,in industrial application.
• This switch operates when pressure of system is increase or decrease from set point.

 

FLOAT SWITCH

• A float switch is a type of level sensor, a device used to detect the level of liquid with in a tank.
• The switch may be used to control a  pump ,as an indicator, an alarm,or control other devices.

TEMPERATURE SWITCH

• This type of switches consists of temperature sensing devices like RTD and Thermostat.
• This switch operate according to the value of measured temperature.

TOGGLE SWITCH

This types of switch is commonly used in household application to ON and OFF electrical appliances.

ROTARY SWITCH

This type of switch is used to connect one line with one of the many line,NOB of Multi-meter ,

Channel selector,Range selector are the examples of this type of switch.

JOYSTICK SWITCH

A joystick switch is actuated by a lever free to move in more then one axis of motion.

One or more of several switch contact mechanism are actuated depending on which way the lever is pushed, and sometimes by low far it is pushed.

Joystick hand switches are commonly used for crane and robot control.

THANKS FOR READING.

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