An electrical switch is a device that makes it possible to divert the flow of current in an electrical installation. This operation is carried out by means of automatic connection to an alternate circuit.
Unlike a switch, the electrical switch does not obstruct the passage of electrons through the circuit, it only disconnects a branch of the circuit to link the pre-existing configuration to another circuit.
The use of electrical switches makes it possible to easily connect and disconnect certain sections of a complex circuit, such as a data transmission network.
This type of device is extremely common in residential electrical installations. They are also present in household appliances and other types of electronic applications.
What are the functions of an Electrical Switch?
An electrical switch is a mechanism that allows the change in the path of electrical current. This is possible by blocking the primary circuit and enabling an alternate circuit.
For this, the commutator has two or more pathways for electrons. Depending on the circuit design, the switch will either stay at the original connection point or switch to the other connector.
A practical example of the use of electrical switches is the connection of the car light system, the switching of which is carried out by operating a gear lever.
For example: moving the vehicle's headlight lever just once turns the low beam headlights on. If the movement is repeated in the same direction, the mechanism changes the path of electric current flow through that circuit, and changes to the circuit of the vehicle's low beams.
The dipped beam headlights are then turned off and the low beam headlights come on, resulting in switching. Another of the most popular applications for electrical switches is in rotating DC machines.
The switch allows changing the direction of electric current flow within the armature coil of the motor. This induces the movement and the corresponding torque.
The application of the switch in direct current generators is reciprocal, and is evidenced by changing the direction of circulation of the electric current between the external circuit and the rotor.
Types
Two types of electrical switches are distinguished:
C onmutador unipolar
It has two terminals, one for departure and one for arrival. In turn, at the arrival terminal you can have two or more connections. If the incoming terminal has two link options, it is a two-position switch.
On the other hand, if the arrival terminal has three or more connection alternatives, then it is a multi-position switch.
Multipolar switch
Unlike the single-pole switch, this device has several connection options at the output terminal. This type of switch is multi-select.
Generally, the terminals connected at the output are linked to each other, thereby ensuring that the switching direction of both connections is the same with respect to the arrival terminal.
References
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- Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia (2017). Switch (device). Recovered from: es.wikipedia.org