Electric Switch

An electric switch is an important component in an electrical circuit. An electric switch is a simple device that either breaks the circuit or completes it to stop or start the flow of current. An electric switch is an arrangement to switch the circuit ON and OFF as needed. It is also called a “Key” component in an electrical circuit. Basically, it is used to interrupt the general flow of electrons. In this article we will learn about Electric switches, the Working of electric switches, the construction of electric switches and different types of electric switches, and advantages and disadvantages, and their applications.

What is an Electric Switch?

An electric switch is an electromechanical device that connects or disconnects the electricity supply to a circuit.

Electric switches are very important in electrical circuits because, without an electric switch, all the devices we are using are useless and cannot be operated without a switch. Electric switches can be used to connect and break the flow of connectivity in the circuit. Electronic switches can be used to perform all logical functions in the circuit. It is used to open close the circuit. So the flow electrons totally depends on this , whether it will enable it or disable it. It does respond to the force or we can say, external force so that electrical signal can be changes

• If the electric switch which is in the “ON” position completes the circuit and permits current to flow through.
• If the electric switch which is in the “OFF” position closes the circuit and prevents current from flowing through it.

Electric Switch

Properties of Switches

Some of the properties of switches are mentioned below:

• Electric switch On/Off condition: An Electric switch main property is to switch an electrical circuit from “on” to “off” condition or “off” to “on” condition.
• Electric switch switching speed: This property of electric switch describes how fast an electric switch may establish or break a connection. Certain electric switches are made to operate at fast speeds in electrical circuits.
• Electric switch durability : Electric switch durability refers to the number of cycles an electric switch can endure before malfunctioning or requiring replacement.
• Electric switch contact resistance: The resistance that the current encounters as it passes through the electric switch contacts is known as the contact resistance of the switch; this resistance must be as low as as far as feasible to guarantee a functional circuit.
• Actuation Force of Electric Switch: This property of electric switch refers to the force required to physically operate a switch, for as by pressing a button or pulling a lever.
• Environmental Protection of Electric Switch: This property of electric switch refers to the fact that certain electrical switches are designed to withstand harsh environmental conditions, such as extreme heat or cold, moisture, and dust.

Construction of Electric Switch

The construction of electric switch consists of following components which works in its own way and these components are present internally or externally in it:

• Actuator or Toggle: This is the part of the switch that you physically operate to make or break the connection. It can be a lever, button, or rocker, depending on the switch type.
• Contacts: Contacts are conductive elements inside the electric switch which can make or break electrical connections. In an electrical switch, there are two contacts, one stationary and one movable. When the electric switch is in the “on” position, the movable contact touches the stationary contact, which allows the electric current to flow.
• Terminals: These are the points to which electrical wires are connected. In an SPST switch, there are two terminals, one for each contact.
• Housing: The switch components are enclosed in a housing made of insulating material to protect against electrical shock and environmental factors.

Construction of Electric Switch

Working of an Electric Switch

A electrical switch are basically on/off toggle ones. Electric switch responds to an external force to mechanically change an electric signal. Electric switches are used to turn electric circuits ON and OFF and to switch electric circuits. The main function of an electric switch is to regulate the current between the load and source of power. The power source is the electrons that push through the circuits. The voltage is the quantity of force or pressure applied by the power source. Electrical switches work according to a basic design. Electric switch control the amount of electricity passes on the circuit and passes the required power to electrical appliances as required.

In the below image electric switch is given connection to an electric bulb. When the electric switch is toggled “ON” ,the power from the source passes to electric switch then, the electric bulb glows when the electric switch is toggled “ON”.

Working of Electric Switch

Types of Electric Switch

Switches are classified into different types based on the passage of electricity when required and based on the functionalities.

• Single Pole
• Double Pole
• Three Way
• Four Way
• Dimmer switch

Single Pole

• A single pole switch has one input and one output, it has two states; “on” or “off “. It controls just one circuit. A single-pole switch turns a light on and off from one location.
• Single pole switches are easy to operate.
• Single pole switches are widely in the home.
• A single pole switch is a simple switch often found in the home; they are easily wired and installed and are very common.
• Simpler single pole switches are used in situations like when on/off functionality is needed.
• Since single pole switches are more useful in daily life, they are likely to account for the majority of switches that we come into touch with.

Single Pole Switch Circuit Symbol

Applications of Single Pole Switches

• Used in Light switches
• Used in Alarms
• Used in Heavy duty machinery
• Used in Metal cutting and bending machines
• Used in Laser machines
• Used in Surgical equipment
• Used in Push to talk applications
• Used in household appliances

Double Pole

• Double Pole electric switches control separate circuits. A double pole switch has two connections to 2 separate circuits. They are essentially 2 switches in one.
• The connections can be staggered or connect simultaneously. These are also very easy to handle.
• A double pole switch has two connections to 2 separate circuits. They are essentially 2 switches in one. The connections can be staggered or connect simultaneously.
• For more demanding applications, double pole switches are more complex switches.
• Double pole switches are connected to two separate electric circuits. They essentially contain 2 switches which are linked together and can complete the circuit either simultaneously or staggered.
• Double pole switches are used in different types of application, they are popular in the medical industry as well as more commercial applications found in everyday life.

Double Pole Switch Circuit Symbol

Applications of Double Pole Switches

• Double pole switch is used in light and fan combination
• Double pole switch is used in Motor direction reversal
• Double pole switch is used in power source selector
• Double pole switch is used in two-circuit control
• Double pole switch is used in medical industry

Three-Way

• A normal switch has two terminals that are either connected or disconnected. A three-way switch has three terminals in it. It generally consists of two brass screws.
• By using three way switches, we can control the light from two different locations. The current supply can be controlled from two different locations by using three way switches.
• A three-way switch has three terminals, and the switch connects the first terminal to either the second or the third terminal.
• A 3-way switch is larger than a single pole switch and has three screw terminals for wiring connections, plus a ground. Two of these take traveler wires that go from one switch to the other. For the third terminal, one switch is connected to the hot supply wire while the other switch is joined to the light.

Three Way Switch Circuit Symbol

Applications of Three-Way Switches

• Three-Way Switch is used to control a lamp from three different locations.
• Three-Way Switch is used to control a light from three different locations.
• Three-Way Switch is used for switching from either of two locations.

Four Way

• Four way switches have four terminals, two terminals are for traveler wires which are coming in, and two for traveler wires which are going out.
• The device will usually indicate which two terminals are for “incoming” and “outgoing” wires.
• By using Four-way switches we can control lighting from three or more locations. There are four terminals that provide two sets of toggle positions on a Four way switch.
• There are four terminals that provide two sets of toggle positions on a 4-way switch. Each set of terminals is one of the toggle positions.
• When the switch is in the up position, the current can flow through two terminals. In the down position, the current flows through the other two terminals.

Four Way Switch Circuit Symbol

Applications of Four-Way Switches

• Four-way switch is used to control lighting from three or more locations.
• Four-way switch is used in typical applications include multi-floor stairways which are centrally illuminated.
• Four-way switch is used to control the lighting on any floor level.

Dimmer switch

• Dimmer switches simply raise or lower the brightness in electric light bulbs. They are often used in homes and businesses to conserve energy and to control the lighting environment.
• Dimmer switches can be hooked into your smart home’s functions for controlling the ambiance in your home .It allows you to turn the light in several subtle shades.
• Dimmer switches simply raise or lower the brightness in electric light bulbs. They are often used in homes and businesses to conserve energy and to control the lighting environment.
• Dimmer switches can be hooked into your smart home’s functions for controlling the ambiance in your home. You can automatically set the lights to dim at a certain time with timers or smart controls, or adjust the light level manually.

Dimmer Switch Circuit Symbol

Applications of Dimmer Switches

• By using Dimmer Switches the light intensity can be adjusted from high to low and from low to high.
• Dimmer switches are used with halogen & incandescent lamps.
• Dimmer switches are widely used in residences and commercial buildings to regulate lights and conserve energy..
• Dimmer switches are used in LED lights and electric bulbs so that they will last longer.
• The living room, kitchen, bathroom, and bedroom are just a few of the rooms in the house where dimmer switches can be placed.

Switch Loads

An electrical switch is a device that allows or stops the flow of electrical electricity by opening or closing a circuit. The appliances or electrical equipment that a switch regulates are known as loads when they are attached to a switch. Switch loads refers to the electrical equipment or devices that a switch controls. Switches are used to open or close the flow of current to the associated load by opening or closing an electrical circuit. Lights, motors, heaters, fans, and other electrical appliances are some examples of common switch loads.

Integrated load switches are electronic switches that can be used to turn on and turn off power supply rails. in systems, similar to a relay or a discrete FET. Load switches offer many other benefits to the system. some including protection features that are often difficult to implement with discrete components.

Rating of Electric Switches

Electrical Switches are rated according to their electrical characteristics. The rating of a switch is determined by different factors such as contact size, contact material, and contact spacing.

There are two basic types to a electric switch rating such as the current and voltage rating:

Current Rating of Electric Switch

• The current rating of a switch refers to the maximum current the switch is designed to carry. This rating is dependent on the voltage of the circuit in which the switch is used.
• The current rating of a switch should never be exceeded. If the current rating of a switch is exceeded, the contacts may “weld” together making it impossible to open the circuit.

Voltage Rating of Electric Switch

• The voltage rating of a switch refers to the maximum voltage allowable in the circuit in which the switch is used. The voltage rating may be given as an ac voltage, a dc voltage, or both.
• The voltage rating of a switch should never be exceeded. If a voltage higher than the voltage rating of the switch is applied to the switch, the voltage may be able to “jump” the open contacts of the switch.
• This would make it impossible to control the circuit in which the switch was used.

Example

A switch may be rated at 250 volts dc, 10 amperes. Some switches have more than one rating. For example, a single switch may be rated at 250 volts dc, 10 amperes; 500 volts ac, 10 amperes; and 28 volts dc, 20 amperes. This rating indicates a current rating that depends upon the voltage applied.

Why do we need Electric switch ?

We need electric switch to operate any electrical gadgets in our home or anywhere. Without electric switch the gadgets we use in our daily life becomes useless. Without electric switch operating the gadgets become difficult. A electric switch is used to complete or break an electric circuit in order to use any electric appliance. When an electric switch is in the ON position, it completes the circuit and allows current to flow through. if the electrical switch is in the OFF position when it breaks the circuit and prevents current from passing through. Electric lamps, coolers, washing machines, table fans, TVs, radios, and other electrical devices have built-in switches and can be operated using electrical switches.

What are Contactors in Electric Switches ?

Contactors are a type of electric switch, are made for handling heavy loads in circuits Contactors are made for operating and controlling heavy loads in industrial applications. They are large and heavy than regular standard switches and are more robust than standard electric switches. They are widely used in controlling motors, transformers, and other high-power devices. Contactors have multiple sets of contacts and have main contacts used for carrying the load current and auxiliary contacts for control and feedback purposes.

Advantages and Disadvantages of Electric switch

There are some list of Advantages and Disadvantages of Electric switch given below :

Advantages

• They increment the accessible data transfer capacity of the organization.
• They help in lessening the outstanding burden on individual host PCs.
• They increment the presentation of the organization.
• Networks that use switches will have fewer casing impacts. This is because of the way that switches make impact areas for every association.
• Switches can be associated straightforwardly with workstations.
• It increases the available bandwidth of the network.

Disadvantages

• They are more costly in contrast with network spans.
• Network availability issues are hard to be followed through the organization switch.
• Proper planning and arrangement are required to deal with multicast parcels.
• The switch’s mechanical component can wear out with time.
• Must have physical contact with the object to be actuated.

Applications of Electric Switch

• Electric Switch have many applications which we use in our daily life.
• Electrical gadgets that have switches in-built into them are:
• Used in Fan, Refrigerator, Television, Microwave oven, Electric cookers
• Electric switches are used in home appliances like coolers, Electric lamps.

Conclusion

In this article we have learnt about the electric switch, and working of electric switch and different types of electric switches and applications of electric switch. We have also learnt why do we need electric switch. Electric switch plays an important role in electrical circuits. Electric switch is very useful in our daily life. Without the invention of electric switch we cannot easily use our appliances and our appliance become useless.

FAQs on Electric Switch

Who invented the electric switch?

Electric Switch is invented by John Henry Holmes, is an English electrical engineer.

When was the electric switch invented?

The first quick-break technology electric switch was invented in 1884. Before the invention of the quick-break technology electric switch, a switch’s contacts developed electrical arcing, posing safety issues.

What is the use of outdoor electrical switch?

The main use of outdoor electrical switch are to withstand exposure to wind and water. Always look for a weatherproof rating when buying outdoor switches.

What is the main function of an electric switch?

The main function of an electric switch is to regulate the current between the load and source of power in a circuit.