e) Snap Switch (Toggle Switch)
This has a depressing mechanism for operating at a high
speed and is mainly used for switching D C power sources
a n d for sensing signals. Toggle switch is a two-position
s n a p switch operated by a lever a n d is popularly used as
a power switch in measuring equipment but not in con
sumer products because of its unfavourable design and /
operational feeling. Here we will discuss the p o p u l a r
mechanically-assisted type employed in D C power supply
circuits and signal senser circuits. This has one or two con
tacts and one to four circuits. This is used as a car stereo's
power or m o t o r switch or a position sensor of a
mechanism.
Fig. 6 Snap Switches and its Operating Principle
Photo 6 Snap Switches
Terminals
Fig. 7 Structure of Plate Spring Switch
7
. (a) Open — (b) is kept a w a y f r o m
(a) w h e n it is free.
(b) The m o m e n t of closing — (A)
and (B) come on the same
vertical line.
(c) Closed — The m o m e n t (A)
moves further r i g h t w a r d , the
spring pushes (b) against (a).
Spring
f) Plate Spring Switch (Leaf Switch)
W h e n the operating stroke is long and its dispersion is
large, the contact plates m a d e of spring a b s o r b the exces
sive stroke a n d maintain stable O N / O F F operation. The
mechanism is the press-to-contact type. This is suitable for
sensing mechanical operation and switching D C power
sources. Fig. 7 shows the structure of plate spring switch.
The left one is open-air type and the right one is cased type.
-Plate springs
Lever
Case