Know a Few Details About Switches, Their Types and Applications

Switches are an important part of any electronic circuit, as they ensure the flow of current when the status is ON and stop the flow when the status is OFF. There are various types and configurations of switches, with some being application-specific. Switches are either manual or automatic. Switches are either electronic or mechanical devices used across industries as well as in homes, commercial spaces, and so on. This post focusses on different types of switches based on their application.

A Few Details About Various Types of Switches

Here are various types of switches depending upon the application.

• Toggle Switches: These switches have a lever that can be moved back and forth to start or end an electrical circuit. There are two types of toggle switches- maintained contact and momentary contact. Maintained contact toggle switches maintain their position once moved, while momentary contact toggle switches do not. Both these types of switches have long as well as short handles. These are the types of toggle switches.
• Single Pole Double Throw (SPDT) Switches: This type of switch has one input and two output terminals. So, it can connect to and facilitate the flow of current between two outputs. It can be used as a regular ON/OFF switch and also be connected to two different paths of a circuit to create two different modes, such as ready and standby modes in printers and other computer peripheral devices. This switch has three terminals, wherein one is used for input and the other two are used for output. So, this finds applications as a two-way switch, wherein two switches located at different places are used to switch on a fan or light. One switch may be near the door, while the other in the far end corner of the room. When one switch is off the other is on.
• Single Pole Single Throw (SPST) Switches: This is a type of toggle switch with a simple mechanism of single input and single output. It connects only one device such as a light, and makes or breaks the connection between two terminals in a single circuit. This is a simple switch type wherein the current flows only when the switch is ON.
• Double Pole Single Throw (DPST) Switches: This toggle switch type has two poles and it functions on the mechanism of two inputs and two outputs. So, the switch can control two circuits, with two terminals each, with a single toggle. These switches are used to run high voltage appliances of 240V.
• Double Pole Double Throw (DPDT) Switches: This toggle switch can connect two different circuits with the mechanism of two inputs to one output. Each connection can be routed through in several ways which are controlled by this switch. This switch functions like a SPDT switch but at double capacity. These switches find applications in appliances open and closed wiring systems such as motor controllers.
• Limit Switches: These are different from toggle switches. They function with the help of an actuator. These are big-sized switches with a bumper arm, which moves through actuation. This movement happens when it identifies the presence or absence of an object in its vicinity, and the switch changes its position accordingly.
• Float Switches: These switches are used in water tanks to operate based on the level of water by identifying the movement of the ball or object in an upward or downward manner. They are of open and closed types.
• Flow Switches: These switches work with a snap action mechanism and are used to determine the movement of fluids or gases in various industrial applications. It is a small switch connected to a metal arm. This metal arm moves when air or fluid passes through the pipe or chamber, which in turn snaps the switch to operate.
• Rotary Switches: These switches are used to connect one contact to one of the many contacts or terminals. One connection in this case is stationary and the other moves with the help of a knob.
• Joystick Switches: These switches work on a lever mechanism, wherein you can control the movement of this switch in a gear-like manner. You can move it in more than one axes, in all lateral directions. These switches find large applications in computer games, controlling cables, cranes, and so on.
• Electronic Switches: These are primarily non-contact switches used in electronic devices. These are solid state switches, which include MOSFETS, transistors, IGBTs, and so on. There is no physical contact required to operate these switches, and are operated mostly through motor drives, and usually are unipolar or bipolar frequency switching devices.

If you are looking for high-quality switches for your industrial or home application, ensure you know the configuration required and their features. Additionally, make sure you source them from a reliable supplier. Electronic Expeditors, USA is a well-known supplier of a variety of switches complying with industry standards. They stock high-quality switches of various configurations made by reputed manufacturers such as ITW.