Switch clusters come in various designs such as push/pull, momentary, or toggle versions. They break or bridge an electrical circuit and can be connected to positive electrical current or the ground side. Components include contacts, terminals, and a switching mechanism. Switches range from simple on/off types to rheostat-type switches with a wide range of settings. Tilt switches use metallic liquid to complete a circuit at a certain angle.
A switch cluster is a device used to turn a mechanism on or off. Offered in one of several designs, a switch assembly can be found in push/pull, momentary, or toggle versions. The common switch assembly is designed to operate with an electrical charge to trigger a response in a device, although pneumatic, magnetic, and optical switches are also available for use in a wide variety of functions.
Most types of switches are designed to break or bridge an electrical circuit. When the switch assembly is in the closed position, the circuit is complete and current is allowed to flow through the switch. Conversely, when the switch is in the open or off position, current is unable to bridge the gap created by the open switch, so current is unable to continue through the circuit. While many switches are connected to positive electrical current, some are connected to the ground side of the electrical circuit. With a pneumatic switch assembly, air is allowed to flow through the switch when it is in the closed position and is restricted when the switch is open.
The components of a typical electrical switch assembly include the contacts, terminals, and a switching mechanism. Contacts are the components within the switch body that are bridged or open to allow or deny the flow of electric current through the switch. The terminals are the external components that are connected to the harness to hold the switch in place within the harness, and they also provide a location for electricity to enter and exit the switch body. Switch mechanisms can range from a simple toggle device that is flipped back and forth to a button that can be pressed to connect, like a starter switch, or to disconnect, like a shut-off switch.
Switches come in a variety of designs, from a simple fully open or closed off or on switch type, to a rheostat-type switch that can offer a wide range of settings from half on to full on, like a volume switch. or the burner control on an electric stove. Tilt switches, also called mercury switches, use a metallic liquid to complete a circuit when the switch body reaches a certain angle. This type of switch assembly is often used to turn on a work light under the hood of an automobile. When the hood is opened a certain amount, the switch sends power to the light under the hood, turning it on. Once you close the hood and flip the switch to another angle, the light goes out.
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