Electrical Engineering Stack Exchange
Electrical Engineering Stack Exchange

Questions tagged [switches]

Devices to interrupt or route a signal or power one of several ways.

Devices to interrupt or route a signal or power one of several ways. There are mechanical (manually operated), electromechanical (mechanical, but electrically activated: relay) and electronic switches.

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Need help to understand DigiKey/Mouser "Switch Function" terminology

I first read Switch Basics from Spark-Fun tutorial to help me better understand how to find what I am looking for using DigiKey/Mouser Advanced search terminology. I know I am looking for a maintained latching switch where I push once to turn on,…
lucidgold
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Can you clarify what an 1NO1NC switch is?

I've come across multiple mentions of switches described as 1NO1NC. They often described as having 2 options: ON/(OFF) and (ON)/OFF and from what I gather they have 3 terminals for wires: a NO terminal, a NC terminal and a C (?) terminal. Can you…
Ben
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Logic inside a 3 or 4 way light switch?

I'm trying to understand what is the logic or mechanism used in 3 way or 4 way switches, in order for all swtches to work so that no matter the position of each switch, the lights go on or off without any other switch affecting the others. So, are…
Lorthas
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How do 'hand clap' switches work?

I'd like to know how a 'hand clap' switch works. You know, the kind where you *clap-clap* and the light turns on, *clap-clap* again and the light turns off. How is the clapping sound detected? How can it be differentiated from whistling, people…
Vincent Van Den Berghe
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switch debouncing - would toggle switch still bounce

I'm having the classic debouncing headache with the Arduino. The switch is meant to turn an led on and off. So if I use a toggle button (SPDT) would it still bounce? Maybe it won't since it not a push button. How much more would it cost to use…
Ageis
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Does an Electron really travel thousands of Miles when I use a server in another Country?

When I press a key on my keyboard, it will alter the flow of electrons in a wire connecting to send data to my computer. Let's say it sends the bits: 100000000100000000100000000100000000, which is a few letters encoded in binary and ASCII. These…
Markus von Broady
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Working with DIP switches

I want to use a rotary DIP switch to set an ID number on a number of identical boards I am using for a project. I have run into the following three lines in the data sheet and I can't make sense of them: Contact Rating: Non-Switching: DC 50V…
Essi Shams
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Is a switch considered an active component?

Most of the definitions of "active" components that I have found define them as components able to control current flow. A switch fits this definition, but I am just curious to see opinions on this.
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pushbutton switch that twists to lock

I'm sure I've seen something like this before, but I can't find it now, or even find any appropriate names to call it to search for it. I'm looking for a small momentary pushbutton switch similar to this: The switch is approximately 12.7mm by…
Grant
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Name of this switch?

Can some one tell me what this type of switch is? It seems kind of like a trigger in action.
Flo
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What's the name for a switch that opens its contacts when pressed?

The title is probably already enough info. Just an example: Imagine a power button on the front of a computer that is always connected except when pressed, it disconects for a brief moment.
epicdig07
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How to switch continuity direction on a grid?

Please bear with me here. I haven't had to do much circuit design since my MechE days in college, so I'm very rusty. I'm working on a project where I need to be able to take a grid of conductive squares (say a piece of perfboard) and create…
Murdock
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Two way switch, original was 16 AMP, can I use a new 10 AMP?

I have a two way switch (for an outlet), and it was for 16 AMP. I went to a store and asked for a new one, and when I got home and was starting to assemble it, I noticed the new one was 10 AMP... Is it ok to use a lower AMP model, or should I get a…
jackJoe
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What type of switch is only on when released

I have a situation where I've got a few electronics boards stacked on top of each other. I don't want the boards to be powered when stacked but when they're no longer on top of one another I want them to turn on. I figure a push switch that is off…
ThePlanMan
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SPDT switch question

I would just like to ask a question about a SPDT switch. In general, just considering the regular generic SPDT switch only, the 'tip' (example only) of the switch has only two possible 'contact' points (options) that it can pivot to ----- with no…
Kenny
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