Variants power > connection > switch

Figure 6-11. Two full-size toggle switches capable of han-

dling significant current. At left, the switch terminates in
quick-connect terminals. At right, the switch has solder
terminals (some of them containing residual traces of sol-
der).

Figure 6-9. Slide switch schematics. Each black rectan-

gle represents a movable contact that connects two pairs
of fixed contacts at a time. Detailed commentary on these
variants will be found in the body of the text. Manufactur-
ers may use variants of these symbols in their datasheets
(for example, the gray rectangle indicating an insulating
contact carrier, at top right, may be represented as a sin-
gle line, or a black outline with a white center).

Figure 6-12. A 4PDT full-size toggle switch with solder

terminals, capable of switching 25A at 125VAC. Four-pole
switches are relatively unusual.

Figure 6-10. Three miniature toggle switches with current

ratings ranging from 0.3A to 6A at 125VAC. Each small
square in the background grid measures 0.1” x 0.1”. Figure 6-13. A toggle switch intended for control of auto-
motive accessories.
An automotive toggle switch is shown in
Figure 6-13. Its plastic toggle is extended to min­ High-end toggle switches are extremely durable
imize operating error. and can be sealed from environmental

42 Encyclopedia of Electronic Components Volume 1

power > connection > switch Variants

contamination with a thin boot made from mol­

ded rubber or vinyl, which screws in place over
the toggle, using the thread on the switch bush­
ing. See Figure 6-14.

Figure 6-15. As shown here, DIP switches are available

with a variety of “positions,” meaning the number of
switches, not the number of switch states.

Figure 6-14. A rubber or vinyl boot can be used to protect

a toggle switch from contamination with dirt or water.
Each boot contains a nut that screws onto the threads of a
toggle switch, as shown at left.

A locking toggle switch has a toggle that must be

pulled out against the force of a retaining spring,
before the toggle can be moved from one posi­
tion to another. The toggle then snaps back into
Figure 6-16. The interior connections of a 16-pin DIP
place, usually engaging in a small slot in the switch.
bushing of the switch.
The number of switches in a DIP array is usually
DIP referred to as its number of “positions.” This
A DIP switch is an array of very small, separate should not be confused with the two positions
switches, designed for mounting directly on a of each physical switch lever. SPST DIP switches
circuit board, either in through-hole or surface- are made with 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 12, and 16
mount format. Through-hole DIP switches have positions.
two rows of pins with a 0.1” pitch, the rows being Early IBM-compatible desktop computers often
spaced 0.3” apart to fit a standard DIP (dual-inline required the user to set the position of an internal
package) socket or comparable configuration of DIP switch when making routine upgrades such
holes in the board. Surface-mount DIP switches as installing an additional disk drive. While this
may have 0.1” or 0.05” pitch. feature is now obsolete, DIP switches are still
Most DIP arrays consist of SPST switches, each of used in scientific equipment where the user is
which can close or open a connection between expected to be sufficiently competent to open a
two pins on opposite sides of the switch body. cabinet and poke around inside it. Because of the
The switch positions are usually labelled ON and 0.1” spacing, a small screwdriver or the tip of a
OFF. Figure 6-15 shows a selection of DIP pen is more appropriate than a finger to flip in­
switches. Figure 6-16 shows the internal connec­ dividual levers to and fro.
tions in a DIP switch.

Chapter 6 43
Variants power > connection > switch

DIP switches may also be used during prototype same as DIP switches; the primary difference is
development, as they allow a convenient way to simply that the SIP switch occupies a little less
test a circuit in numerous different modes of op­ space, while being perhaps slightly less conve­
eration. nient to use.
Most DIP switches have wire terminals which are One terminal of each switch usually shares a
just long enough for insertion into a standard common bus. The internal connections in a typ­
breaboard. ical 8-pin SIP array are shown in Figure 6-18. Pin
spacing is 0.1”, as in a typical DIP switch.
DIP switch package options include standard,
low-profile, right-angle (standing at 90 degrees
relative to the circuit board), and piano (with
switch levers designed to be pressed, like tiny
rocker switches, instead of being flipped to and
fro).
Some SPDT, DPST, DPDT, 3PST, and 4PST variants
exist, but are uncommon. Multiple external pins
connect with the additional internal switch con­
tacts, and a manufacturer’s datasheet should be
consulted to confirm the pattern of internal con­
nections. A surface-mount, 0.1” pitch, DPST DIP
Figure 6-18. The interior connections of an 8-pin SIP
switch is shown in Figure 6-17, with a plastic cov­ switch incorporating a common bus.
er to protect the switches from contamination
during wave soldering (at left), and with the cov­ Paddle
er peeled off (at right). A paddle switch has a flat-sided tab-shaped plas­
tic actuator, relatively large to allow a firm, error-
free grip. Internally it is often comparable with a
rocker switch, and is generally used with AC pow­
er. Some toggle-switch bodies are also sold with
paddle-shaped actuators. A subminiature pad­
dle switch is shown in Figure 6-19.

Figure 6-17. A SPDT surface-mount double-throw DIP

switch, sold with a plastic cover (shown at left) to protect
it during wave soldering. The cover has been removed at
right.

SIP
A SIP switch is an array of small, separate
switches, identical in concept to a DIP switch, but
using only one row of pins instead of a double
row. The applications for SIP switches are the Figure 6-19. A subminiature paddle switch. Full-size ver-
sions are often used as power switches.

44 Encyclopedia of Electronic Components Volume 1

power > connection > switch Values

Vandal Resistant Switch Termination

Typically fabricated from stainless steel, this is Switches (and pushbuttons) are available with a
designed to withstand most types of abuse and variety of terminals.
is also weather-proof. The pushbuttons that al­
Solder lugs are small tabs, each usually perforated
low pedestrians to trigger a traffic signal are a
with a hole through which the end of a wire can
form of vandal-resistant switch.
be inserted prior to soldering.
Tactile Switch PC terminals are pins that protrude from the bot­
This is considered to be a pushbutton, and is tom of the switch, suitable for insertion in a print­
described in that entry. See “Tactile Switch” ed circuit board. This style is also known as a
(page 34). through-hole. The terminals may have a right-
angle bend to allow the component to be moun­
Mounting Options ted flat against the board, with the switch actua­
A panel mount switch generally has a threaded tor sticking out at the side. This termination style
bushing that is inserted from behind the front is known as right-angle PC. Many manufacturers
panel of a product, through a hole of appropriate offer a choice of straight or bent pin terminals,
size. It is supplied with a lockwasher and a nut but the component may be listed in a catalog
(often, two nuts) that fit the thread on the switch under either of those options, with no indication
bushing. that other options exist. Check manufacturer da­
tasheets carefully.
Front panel mount usually means that screws visi­
ble from the front of the panel are attached to a Quick connect terminals are spade-shaped to ac­
bracket on the switch behind the panel. The ac­ cept push-on connectors, commonly used in au­
tuator of the switch is accessible through a cut­ tomotive applications. Hybrid quick-connect ter­
out in the panel. This mounting style is mostly minals that can also function as solder lugs are
used for rocker switches and sometimes for slide sometimes offered as an option.
switches. Screw terminals have screws premounted in flat
Subpanel mount means that the switch is attach­ terminals, for solderless attachment of wires.
ed to a separate plate or chassis behind the con­ Wire leads are flexible insulated wires, often with
trol panel. The actuator of the switch is accessible stripped and tinned ends, protruding at least an
through a cutout. inch from the body of the component. This op­
Snap-in mount requires a switch with flexible tion is becoming uncommon.
plastic or metal tabs each side, designed to push
through a cutout in the panel, at which point the Contact Plating Options
tabs spring out and retain the switch. The internal electrical contacts of a switch are
usually plated with silver or gold. Nickel, tin, and
PC mount switches have pins that are soldered
silver alloys are cheaper but less common. Other
into a printed circuit board. They may have ad­
types are relatively rare.
ditional solderable lugs to provide mechanical
support.
Values
Surface mount switches are attached to a board
in the same manner as other surface-mount Switches designed for electronic devices vary
components. widely in power capability, depending on their
purpose. Rocker switches, paddle switches, and
toggle switches are often used to turn power on
and off, and are typically rated for 10A at 125VAC,

Chapter 6 45
How to Use it power > connection > switch

although some toggle switches go as high as

30A. Snap-action or limit switches may be simi­
larly rated, although miniature versions will have
reduced capability. Slide switches cannot handle
significant power, and are often rated around
0.5A (or less) at 30VDC. DIP and SIP switches have
a typical maximum rating of 100mA at 50V and
are not designed for frequent use. Generally they
are used only when the power to the device is off.

How to Use it
Power Switches
When a simple SPST switch is used to turn DC
power on and off, it conventionally switches the
positive side of the power supply, also some­
times known as the high side. The primary reason Figure 6-20. In this schematic, normally-closed limit
for following this convention is that it is widely switches are opened by pressure from an arm attached to
a motor, thus switching off its power at each end of its
used; thus, following it will reduce confusion. permitted travel and preventing overload and burnout. A
two-coil latching relay activates the motor. Rectifier di-
More importantly, an on-off switch that controls odes allow power to reach the motor to reverse its rota-
AC power must be used on the “live” side of the tion when a limit switch is open.
supply, not the “neutral” side. If you have any
doubts about these concepts (which go beyond tion indefinitely without drawing power. When
the scope of this book), consult a reference guide the upper coil of the relay receives a pulse from
on this subject. Using a DPST component to a pushbutton or some other source, the relay
switch both sides of an AC supply may be a flips to its upper position, which conducts posi­
worthwhile additional precaution in some appli­ tive current through the lower limit switch, to the
cations. The ground wire of an AC supply should lower terminal of the motor. The motor turns
never be switched, because the device should clockwise until the arm attached to its shaft hits
always be grounded when it is plugged into an the lower limit switch and opens it. Positive cur­
electric outlet. rent is blocked by the lower diode, so the motor
stops.
Limit Switches When the lower coil of the relay is activated, the
An application for two limit switches with a DC relay flips to its lower position. Positive current
motor and two rectifier diodes is shown in can now reach the upper side of the motor
Figure 6-20. This diagram assumes that the mo­ through the upper limit switch. The motor runs
tor turns clockwise when its lower terminal is counter-clockwise until its arm opens the upper
positive, and counter-clockwise when its upper limit switch, at which point the motor stops
terminal is positive. Only two terminals are used again. This simple system allows a DC motor to
(and shown) in each limit switch; they are chosen be run in either direction by a button-press of any
to be normally-closed. Other terminals inside a duration, without risk of burnout when the mo­
switch may exist, may be normally-open, and can tor reaches the end of its travel. It has been used
be ignored. for applications such as raising and lowering
The motor is driven through a dual-coil, DPDT powered windows in an automobile.
latching relay, which will remain in either posi­

46 Encyclopedia of Electronic Components Volume 1