Electrical Switch Distributors Key Terms

Learn the language to understand your options when dealing with electrical switch distributors

By Howard Robertson

Electrical switches are controls consisting of an electronic device for making, breaking or changing the connections in a circuit. Switches allow electric current to flow when closed and prevent the current flow when opened. A simple switch has two pieces of metal called contacts, which touch to make a circuit and separate to break the circuit. There are several key terms that you should know. This guide covers some of the types of electrical switches, such as rocker switches, rotary switches, dip switches and toggle switches.

Toggle switch

A toggle switch uses a lever, protruding from the front, to open or close the circuit. The toggle switch design makes it easy to tell whether the switch is on or off.
Try: Visit All About Circuits for technical information about toggle switches.

Rocker switch

A rocker switch has a pivot and an actuator that moves like a playground see-saw. You push one side down and the other side goes up; push the up side down and the other side goes up.
Try: Global Spec has detailed information about rocker switches.

Transfer switches

Transfer switches transfer electrical power back and forth between two power systems. You will find transfer switches in applications that require switching between two power sources.
Try: Lazar Rozenblat gives detailed information about transfer switches and their application.

Rotary switch

A rotary switch has two or more different states or modes of operation. It operates by rotating a control knob (attached to its shaft) clockwise, counterclockwise or both.
Try: All About Electronics has information about rotary switches.

Relay switches

Relay switches are electrical switches that open and close under the control of another electrical circuit. In the original form, an electromagnet operates the switch to open or close one or many sets of contacts.
Try: The Electronics Club publishes detailed information about relay switches and their applications.

Dip switch

A dip switch is a set of manual electric switches that are packaged in a cluster in a standard dual in-line package (Dip). Dip switches are ideal for applications in telecommunications and networking.
Try: For information on dip switches, visit 10 Stripe.

Slide switches

Slide switches have a distinguished method of activation. The switch is a slider that slides from position to position. You can either lower or raise the handle depending on the type of actuator.
Try: Browse through Apem Components for information about slide switches.