Electrical Switch

What is Electrical Switch?

An electric switch is a device that opens and closes an electrical circuit to control the flow of
electricity.
Types of Switches
Generally, Switches can be categorized as.
 Mechanical Switches
 Electrical & Electronic Switches

Both of these types of switches are widely used in electrical and electronics applications where
the selection of switch type depends on the system requirements and system needs in which they
are going to be incorporated. Switches can also be categories on many different bases and
factors.
Types of Electromechanical Switches
Mechanical switch is a switch in which two metal plates (switch contacts) touch each other to
make a physical contact for the current to flow through it and separate from each other to
interrupt the flow of current.
1. SPST (Single Pole Single Throw)
This is a simple ON/OFF switch commonly found in our homes for lighting circuits and small
load appliances as well as computers and devices. It is also called a “One Way” or “Single Way”
Switch (known as Two-Way Switch in the US). It controls single operation in a circuit e.g. it
makes or breaks the circuit. Generally, the contact of the SPST switch can be either NO
(Normally Open) for OFF position or NC (Normally Closed) for ON position.
An open switch indicates a break in the circuit i.e. it stops the flow of current in it. A closed
switch represents the circuit is completed and current is flowing through it.

The following fig shows the construction and working of a SPST (Single Pole Single Throw)
switch also known as one way switch. It has mainly two terminals viz Line IN (as source), Line
Out (to the load point) and an extra but optional pin as ground terminal.
2. SPDT (Single Pole Double Throw)
SPDT switch has mainly three pins (terminals) and an extra as ground terminal. The input
terminal is known and used as “common” which is also called a Two-Way Switch (known as
Three-Way Switch in the US). The remaining two terminals are called travelers (output
terminals).
A two circuits can be controlled at the same time while using this switch. Because of this
functionality e.g. changeover operations, SPDT switches are also known as selector switches.
3. DPST (Double Pole, Single Throw)
DPST switch is basically two SPST switches in one package and can be operated by a single
lever. This switch is mostly used where both ground and line need to be broken (or closed) at the
same time, same as the operation of a 2-Pole breaker. It short, It has two poles i.e. it can control
two circuits (Hot and Neutral) and a Single Throw i.e. it can only make one operation e.g. ON or
OFF.

Double Pole, Single Throw switch has four terminal pins i.e. 2 as Input and the rest of 2 as
output. DPST switches are used to control a single circuit while both the contacts are needed to
be actuated. For example, a DPST switch is used to break both the Line and Neutral wire for the
ON & OFF operation of the connected device to it. Both the contacts are open in case of OFF
position while both contacts are closed in case of ON position. In simple words, It either
switches ON or OFF the two circuits at the same time.
4. DPDT (Double Pole Double Throw)
This switch is equivalent to two SPDT switches packaged in one unit. This switch has two
common pins and four signal pins (total of 6 terminals). Total four different combinations of
signals can be applied to the input pins of this switch. Another switch related to DPDT is DPCO
(Double Pole Changeover or Double Pole, Centre Off).
DPDT switches are used to control two different electric circuits at the same time. While it has a
common lever for both operations, It can be used for two different operation i.e. ON & OFF
positions.

5. 2PMT & 2P6T (Two Pole, Six Throw & Two Pole, Multiple Throw)
DPMT stands for Double Pole Multi Throw and 2P6T abbreviated as 2-Pole, Multi Throw
switches. These kinds of switches consist of 2-poles and multiple throw i.e. they can be used to
control two independent circuits. These types of switches with a common lever are used as
changeover and selectors switches for multiway switching.

6. Rotary & Selector Switches

Selectors switches are rotary switches with a knob which rotates around its axis and switches and
connects the common terminal to many of the output terminals. It is the same as a knob switch in
the digital or analog multimeter based on the working principle of demultiplexer, electrical
measurement tools and metering, radio bands selectors, channel selectors in a communication
system etc.

A rotary switch may have multiple poles and throws for different circuits. The selector switches
are available in different ranges i.e. 1P-12 way, 2P- 6 ways (2P6T), 3P-4 Ways & 4P-3 ways etc.
It has multiple moving and statutory contacts where the rotating knob is used to divert the
switching operation of the switch from one to another.

7. Intermediate Switch – 4-Way Switch

Intermediate switch is also known as a four way switch in the US (and Three way switch in the
UK & EU). It has four terminals which are used to divert the flow of current from one position to
another. These switches are used to control a single appliance such as a light bulb point from
different locations. For example, to control a light bulb from two different locations or simply a
stair case wiring configuration.

An intermediate switch is also called a changeover or crossover switch.

8. Toggle Switch
Toggle switches are latched type of switches which are actuated by a lever angled in one or more
directions. This switch is stable in state and remains in that state unless or until the lever is
pushed in another direction. Most of all household applications (such as lighting control
switches) have toggle switch and it can fall into any category as mentioned above e.g. SPST,
DPDT, DPST, DPDT etc.

They are available for high current applications up to 30+ amperes and can be used for small
current switching operations. The rating, shape and design may vary depending on the circuit
requirement and applications.

9. Slide Switch
As the name shows, a slide switch uses a slider as actuator which slides back and forth to make
and break the contacts. The following fig shows the SPDT (single pole double throw) slide
switch which is used to control the flow of current in a circuit.
It is used to control the ON and OFF operation of the circuit while the other versions e.g. double
poles and throws etc. are used to divert the current flow from one direction to another and control
many functions in switching operations.

10. Push Buttons Switch

As the name suggests, push buttons are momentary switches which are operated by pressings
(put a pressure by pushing) it for a while. The spring mechanism for the actuator inside it is used
to close or open the circuit for OFF and ON operation.
When a pushbutton switch is pressed, the movable contacts attached to the button make sure to
connect the static (stationary or stable) contacts in series to make the circuit. When the pressure
is released, contacts of the pins are detached and the circuit operation returns back to the first
position either ON or OFF.

They are generally NO, NC or double acting which is used to control two different circuits.
Examples of push-button switches are drills, blowers and doorbells etc.

11. Limit Switch

A limit switch is operated automatically (by mechanical parts or machine) or manually by an
object in control systems. The bumper arm in the switch is used as actuator and when pressed or
comes in contact with an object, it changes the direction of the flowing current hence it changes
the position and operation of the circuit.

Some examples of limit switches are Push Button Limit Switch which are actuated by the motion
of mechanical parts of machines or other objects. Another example is Push Button Double Pole
Limit Switch with two poles which is used to control two separate circuits e.g. it breaks one
circuit and closes the other one at once.
12. Timer Switch
Both digital and analog timer switches (also known as timer) are used for time delay for specific
applications. A time switch can be configured using the mechanical timer clockwork where it
makes or breaks the contact when the (set-up) time runs out and hence ON or OFF the connected
circuit from the supply.

Timer switches with the help of contactor and relays are used in power circuits, water heater
timer, central heating control, vehicles, sleep timer in the TV sets etc. which operate on timing
mechanism. The digital timers (e.g. ST01 Timer or Dusk-dawn timers) are used to control
automatic ON-OFF operation of the light fixture based on configured time during the day or
Night.