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Switches: Selecting A Switch

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94 views6 pages

Switches: Selecting A Switch

Uploaded by

jaimonjoy
Copyright
© Attribution Non-Commercial (BY-NC)
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Switches

Switch Contacts - pole, throw etc.


Standard Switches - SPST, SPDT, DPST, DPDT.
Special Switches - multiway, key, tilt, reed etc.

Also see: Relays | Series and Parallel Connections - Switches

Selecting a Switch Circuit symbol for a


simple on-off switch
There are three important features to consider when selecting a
switch:

 Contacts (e.g. single pole, double throw)


 Ratings (maximum voltage and current)
 Method of Operation (toggle, slide, key etc.)

Switch Contacts

Several terms are used to describe switch contacts:

 Pole - number of switch contact sets.


 Throw - number of conducting positions, single or double.
 Way - number of conducting positions, three or more.
 Momentary - switch returns to its normal position when released.
 Open - off position, contacts not conducting.
 Closed - on position, contacts conducting, there may be several on positions.

For example: the simplest on-off switch has one set of contacts (single pole) and one
switching position which conducts (single throw). The switch mechanism has two
positions: open (off) and closed (on), but it is called 'single throw' because only one
position conducts.

Switch Contact Ratings

Switch contacts are rated with a maximum voltage and current, and there may be
different ratings for AC and DC. The AC values are higher because the current falls to
zero many times each second and an arc is less likely to form across the switch
contacts.
For low voltage electronics projects the voltage rating will not matter, but you may need
to check the current rating. The maximum current is less for inductive loads (coils and
motors) because they cause more sparking at the contacts when switched off.

Standard Switches

Type of Switch Circuit Symbol Example


ON-OFF
Single Pole, Single Throw = SPST

A simple on-off switch. This type can be


used to switch the power supply to a
circuit.

When used with mains electricity this


type of switch must be in the live wire,
but it is better to use a DPST switch to
SPST toggle switch
isolate both live and neutral.

Photograph © Rapid Electronics

(ON)-OFF
Push-to-make = SPST Momentary

A push-to-make switch returns to its


normally open (off) position when you
release the button, this is shown by the
brackets around ON. This is the standard Push-to-make switch
doorbell switch.

Photograph © Rapid Electronics

ON-(OFF)
Push-to-break = SPST Momentary

A push-to-break switch returns to its


normally closed (on) position when you
release the button. Push-to-break switch

Photograph © Rapid Electronics


ON-ON
Single Pole, Double Throw = SPDT

This switch can be on in both positions,


switching on a separate device in each
case. It is often called a changeover
switch. For example, a SPDT switch can
be used to switch on a red lamp in one
position and a green lamp in the other SPDT toggle switch
position.

A SPDT toggle switch may be used as a simple


on-off switch by connecting to COM and one of
the A or B terminals shown in the diagram. A and
B are interchangeable so switches are usually
not labelled.
SPDT slide switch
ON-OFF-ON (PCB mounting)
SPDT Centre Off
A special version of the standard SPDT
switch. It has a third switching position in
the centre which is off. Momentary (ON)-
OFF-(ON) versions are also available
where the switch returns to the central off
position when released.
SPDT rocker switch
Photographs © Rapid Electronics

Dual ON-OFF
Double Pole, Single Throw = DPST

A pair of on-off switches which operate


together (shown by the dotted line in the
circuit symbol).

A DPST switch is often used to switch


mains electricity because it can isolate
both the live and neutral connections. DPST rocker switch

Photograph © Rapid Electronics

Dual ON-ON
Double Pole, Double Throw = DPDT

A pair of on-on switches which operate


together (shown by the dotted line in the
circuit symbol).
A DPDT switch can be wired up as a
reversing switch for a motor as shown
in the diagram.
DPDT slide switch
ON-OFF-ON
DPDT Centre Off  
A special version of the standard SPDT
switch. It has a third switching position in
the centre which is off. This can be very
useful for motor control because you
have forward, off and reverse positions.
Momentary (ON)-OFF-(ON) versions are Wiring for Reversing Switch
also available where the switch returns to
the central off position when released.

Photograph © Rapid Electronics


Rapid Electronics stock a wide range of switches and
they have kindly allowed me to use their photographs
on this page. The photographs are from their Image
Gallery CD-ROM.

Special Switches

Type of Switch Example


Push-Push Switch (e.g. SPST = ON-OFF)

This looks like a momentary action push switch but it is a


standard on-off switch: push once to switch on, push again
to switch off. This is called a latching action.

Photograph © Rapid Electronics

Microswitch (usually SPDT = ON-ON)

Microswitches are designed to switch fully open or closed


in response to small movements. They are available with
levers and rollers attached.

Photograph © Rapid Electronics


Keyswitch

A key operated switch. The example shown is SPST.

Photograph © Rapid Electronics

Tilt Switch (SPST)

Tilt switches contain a conductive liquid and when tilted this


bridges the contacts inside, closing the switch. They can be
used as a sensor to detect the position of an object. Some
tilt switches contain mercury which is poisonous.

Photograph © Rapid Electronics

Reed Switch (usually SPST)

The contacts of a reed switch are closed by bringing a


small magnet near the switch. They are used in security
circuits, for example to check that doors are closed.
Standard reed switches are SPST (simple on-off) but
SPDT (changeover) versions are also available.

Warning: reed switches have a glass body which is easily


broken! For advice on handling please see the
Electronics in Meccano website.

Photograph © Rapid Electronics

DIP Switch (DIP = Dual In-line Parallel)

This is a set of miniature SPST on-off switches, the


example shown has 8 switches. The package is the same
size as a standard DIL (Dual In-Line) integrated circuit.

This type of switch is used to set up circuits, e.g. setting the


code of a remote control.

Photograph © Rapid Electronics

Multi-pole Switch

The picture shows a 6-pole double throw switch, also


known as a 6-pole changeover switch. It can be set to have
momentary or latching action. Latching action means it
behaves as a push-push switch, push once for the first
position, push again for the second position etc.
Photograph © Rapid Electronics

Multi-way Switch

Multi-way switches have 3 or more conducting positions.


They may have several poles (contact sets). A popular type
has a rotary action and it is available with a range of
contact arrangements from 1-pole 12-way to 4-pole 3 way.
Multi-way rotary switch
The number of ways (switch positions) may be reduced by adjusting a
stop under the fixing nut. For example if you need a 2-pole 5-way
switch you can buy the 2-pole 6-way version and adjust the stop.

Contrast this multi-way switch (many switch positions) with the multi-
pole switch (many contact sets) described above.

Photograph © Rapid Electronics 1-pole 4-way switch symbol


Rapid Electronics stock a wide range of switches and
they have kindly allowed me to use their photographs
on this page. The photographs are from their Image
Gallery CD-ROM.

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