What Are the Different Types of Switches and How Are They Used
In the electronics industry, a switch is a type of device that functions to establish or break a circuit. As such, they serve as one of the most commonly implemented electronic components within electrical systems. With their simple functionality of switching between an ON state with closed contacts and an OFF state with open contacts, switches can work together with various components in order to carry out complex procedures and operations. With all switch types, they are either mechanical or electrical, meaning that they are either operated physically or through semiconductor action. In this blog, we will provide a short overview of the primary switch types, allowing you to know what is the best fit for your needs.
Mechanical Switches
Push Button Switch
The push button switch is one that is actuated through the push of a finger, and an internal spring mechanism adjusts the ON and OFF state of the component upon the activation of the switch. Common types of push button switches include board push buttons and bushing push buttons.
Toggle Switch
For toggle switches, a lever allows for the user to manually change the positioning of contacts, and various states may be permitted depending on available lever points. As a widely used switch type, such components come in the form of boot toggle switches, NRP toggle switch B components, and more.
Slide Switch
For smaller electronic circuits and applications, slide switches have an ON and OFF state that can be adjusted and held through manual actuation. Such switch types come in the form of SL slide switches, guide slide switches, button slide switches, etc.
Rocker Switch
The rocker switch is a mechanical switch type that presents an ON and OFF state, and positioning is dictated by a pivot point. For its implementation, rocker switches are often found in a variety of consumer appliances and household applications in the form of blank rocker switch types and more.
Voltage Selector Switch
With a voltage selector switch, the powering of internal circuitry within a device can be adjusted based on the desired voltage. As such, industrial applications and other sectors can benefit from voltage selector switches when there is a need for different voltage ratings. For example, an assembly line voltage selector switch can allow for assembly machinery to adjust their powering for varying operations.
Electronic Switches
MOSFET
Otherwise known as a Metal Oxide Semiconductor Field Effect Transistor, a MOSFET is a type of voltage-controlled device that contains three terminals and the ability to adjust resistance between the drain and source terminal. MOFSETs are widely used in circuitry due to their capabilities, often serving as a building block of electronics.
Power Diode
A power diode is a switch constructed from semiconductor materials, and their ON and OFF states can be controlled through the use of a diode bias.
SCR
An SCR, or silicon controlled rectifier, is a type of electronic switch that features an anode, cathode, and gate terminal. As such, the component may be controlled through the biasing of the anode and cathode as well as the gate input.
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