Different Types of Electronic Switches

A switch is a mechanism designed to disrupt the flow of current in a circuit, that is, to make or break an electrical circuit. To perform ON and OFF operation of the system, each electrical and electronics application uses at least one switch.

The switches are also part of a control system and it is not possible to achieve control operations without them. Two functions can be performed by a switch, namely totally ON by closing its contacts or completely OFF by opening its contacts.

The switch produces the closed path for current flow when the contacts of a switch are closed, and then the load absorbs the power from the source.

In a wide range of fields, such as home, vehicles, manufacturing, military, aerospace, and so on, there are various switch applications. Multi-way switching is used in some applications (like building wiring), in such situations two or more switches are interconnected from more than one position to control an electrical load.

Mechanical switches

Mechanical switches can be divided into various categories on the basis of many variables, such as the mode of operation (manual, limit and process switches), the number of contacts (single and multi-contact switches), the number of poles and throws  the operation and construction push button, toggle, rotary, joystick, etc.

Single pole double throw

• This switch has three terminals, one of which is an input contact and the other two are output contacts.
• This implies that two ON positions and one OFF position are consistent.
• These switches are used as a changeover for most of the circuits to connect the input between two output choices.
• By design, the contact that is connected to the input is referred to as a normally closed contact, and the contact that is connected during the ON operation is normally open.

Double pole electronic switches

• Four terminals, two input contacts and two output contacts make up this switch.
• It functions like two different configurations of SPST, running simultaneously.
• It has only one ON location, but can simultaneously control the two contacts in such a way that each input contact is connected to its corresponding output contact.
• Both switches are in an open state in the OFF position.
• To control two separate circuits at a time, this type of switch is used.
• The contacts of this switch can also be configurations that are normally open or normally closed.

Push-button switch

• It is a momentary touch transition that as long as pressure is applied (or when the button is pressed), allows or breaks the relation.
• Generally, a button pushed by someone’s finger supplies this pressure.
• If the pressure is removed, this button returns to its usual position.
• These two states (pressed and released) of a push-button are operated by the innerspring mechanism.
• It consists of stationary and mobile contacts, which are connected to the circuit to be switched by stationary contacts in sequence, while mobile contacts are connected by a push button.
• As seen in the above figure, pushbuttons are often categorized into normally open, normally closed, and double-acting push buttons.
• For regulating two electrical circuits, double-acting push buttons are commonly used.