Switches Distributed by Area51
Area51 has a broad array of several different lines of switches for all your electrical and electronic applications. Whether you need the latest, most technologically advanced switches, the trailing edge switches or even hard to find obsolete or discontinued switches, Area51 will go out of their way to meet your needs. Area51 carries many different types of switches from a selection of manufacturers, including: ALCOSWITCH/TYCO, CHERRY, GRAYHILL, ITT/CANNON, NKK, and SWITCHCRAFT.
A switch is a mechanism that is used to change the flow of electricity through a circuit. In its most basic form, switches utilize two electrically conductive contact points. When the switch is ‘on’ (this is also known as the ‘closed’ position) both contacts are touching and the circuit is complete, allowing electricity to flow through it, unobstructed. When switches are in their ‘off’ position (also known as the ‘open’ position), the contact points are separated, thereby breaking the circuit and effectively restricting the flow of electricity. An actuator is the mechanical part that actually moves the contacts from the open or closed position. This actuator mechanism comes in a variety of types. Some common kinds include, rocker switches, toggle switches, or push button type switches. Some switches are manufactured to remain open until switched closed, while others are closed until switched open.
As switches get more complex, they have varying combinations of poles and throws. Poles are the sets of contacts that are contained within a single circuit. A throw is the number of positions that a switch can occupy to close a circuit (if it is normally open) or to open a circuit (if it is normally closed). This terminology is abbreviated for easy identification of switches. For instance, a standard light switch is a SPST switch, which stands for single pole, single throw; this means it has a single set of contacts, and only one position available to move the switch from the normal position. A DPST switch contains two sets of contacts and a single position to switch it from one state to the other. The DPST switch is basically like two SPST switches that are switched by a single actuator mechanism. A SPDT on the other hand has one pole and two throws, which indicates that is a three way switch with two positions for moving it from its normal position. Switches with more than 2 or 3 poles and throws typically will indicate such instances with a number instead of a letter such as “4P4T”, which would be a equivalent to a 4 way switch.
There are many special kinds of switches for special applications. A DIP switch, which stands for a dual inline package switch, is manufactured to be used on printed circuit boards in conjunction with other electronic components. It is a set of tiny two way switches configured in a row and is used to adjust settings on an electronic device.
An inertial switch is an essential part to some electrical circuits. It senses vibrations to engage or disengage a function. These kinds of switches typically consist of a small weighted object known as a proof mass which resides within a spring loaded cage. A strong enough vibration will cause the proof mass to move and the cage will open activating the switch.
A membrane switch is a very interesting type of switch that is actually very common. It is a switch used in electronic devices. It is not mechanical like most switches. A membrane switch is manufactured into a circuit board. The membrane switch is ‘on’ when a pair of non-contacting circuit leads contacts with a support plate due to a push-button type of force is applied to the outside insulating material that is covering it and representing a button. When this insulated button is free of the external force, the pair of non-contacting circuit leads is spaced from the support plate, which results in the ‘off’ state of the membrane switch, which gives it a distinct ‘rebouncing’ characteristic. Membrane switches are put to familiar uses in remote controls, microwave ovens or any other appliance where the rebouncing characteristic is an advantageous in its switching operation.
Transfer Switches are primarily used for the switching from a primary source of power, to a secondary or tertiary source of power. A transfer switch can be found in some electricity distribution systems and usually in situations when an emergency power generator is used to in the case of the failure of the primary power source. The transfer switch can be manual, automatic, or a combination of both.
A switch is a mechanism that is used to change the flow of electricity through a circuit. In its most basic form, switches utilize two electrically conductive contact points. When the switch is ‘on’ (this is also known as the ‘closed’ position) both contacts are touching and the circuit is complete, allowing electricity to flow through it, unobstructed. When switches are in their ‘off’ position (also known as the ‘open’ position), the contact points are separated, thereby breaking the circuit and effectively restricting the flow of electricity. An actuator is the mechanical part that actually moves the contacts from the open or closed position. This actuator mechanism comes in a variety of types. Some common kinds include, rocker switches, toggle switches, or push button type switches. Some switches are manufactured to remain open until switched closed, while others are closed until switched open.
As switches get more complex, they have varying combinations of poles and throws. Poles are the sets of contacts that are contained within a single circuit. A throw is the number of positions that a switch can occupy to close a circuit (if it is normally open) or to open a circuit (if it is normally closed). This terminology is abbreviated for easy identification of switches. For instance, a standard light switch is a SPST switch, which stands for single pole, single throw; this means it has a single set of contacts, and only one position available to move the switch from the normal position. A DPST switch contains two sets of contacts and a single position to switch it from one state to the other. The DPST switch is basically like two SPST switches that are switched by a single actuator mechanism. A SPDT on the other hand has one pole and two throws, which indicates that is a three way switch with two positions for moving it from its normal position. Switches with more than 2 or 3 poles and throws typically will indicate such instances with a number instead of a letter such as “4P4T”, which would be a equivalent to a 4 way switch.
There are many special kinds of switches for special applications. A DIP switch, which stands for a dual inline package switch, is manufactured to be used on printed circuit boards in conjunction with other electronic components. It is a set of tiny two way switches configured in a row and is used to adjust settings on an electronic device.
An inertial switch is an essential part to some electrical circuits. It senses vibrations to engage or disengage a function. These kinds of switches typically consist of a small weighted object known as a proof mass which resides within a spring loaded cage. A strong enough vibration will cause the proof mass to move and the cage will open activating the switch.
A membrane switch is a very interesting type of switch that is actually very common. It is a switch used in electronic devices. It is not mechanical like most switches. A membrane switch is manufactured into a circuit board. The membrane switch is ‘on’ when a pair of non-contacting circuit leads contacts with a support plate due to a push-button type of force is applied to the outside insulating material that is covering it and representing a button. When this insulated button is free of the external force, the pair of non-contacting circuit leads is spaced from the support plate, which results in the ‘off’ state of the membrane switch, which gives it a distinct ‘rebouncing’ characteristic. Membrane switches are put to familiar uses in remote controls, microwave ovens or any other appliance where the rebouncing characteristic is an advantageous in its switching operation.
Transfer Switches are primarily used for the switching from a primary source of power, to a secondary or tertiary source of power. A transfer switch can be found in some electricity distribution systems and usually in situations when an emergency power generator is used to in the case of the failure of the primary power source. The transfer switch can be manual, automatic, or a combination of both.
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