Micro Switches, Lever, Button & Plunger Micro Switches | RS
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    Micro Switches

    Micro switches are mechanically operated electrical switches designed with an actuator and terminals called common, normally open, and normally closed. A micro switch is also known as a snap action switch, they operate by using a spring-loaded lever to open and close a set of internal contacts inside the unit.

    How does a micro switch work?

    Power is typically attached to the common terminal, this leads into the switch and energizes the spring and because the spring is touching the normally closed pin it sends power out here, this is called a resting state. Once the arm is moved the power is then transferred to the normally open pin.

    Where would you find them?

    Micro switches are differentiated by their electrical characteristics. These are small devices and generally only designed to carry low currents and voltages. These switches are very commonly employed as safety devices, as they are reliable, inexpensive, and can open up a circuit when needed, preventing a machine from being turned on or a door from closing when someone is in the way.

    Actuator types

    There are various types available but the operating principles are the same, switches are actuated by a plunger, a button, a roller, or a lever.

    What is their operating life?

    Micro switches operating life is generally very high, being measured in millions of cycles, in most cases. Consumer products generally have lighter-duty micro switches than industrial products, but the low cost of these parts makes it easy enough to upgrade to higher mechanical life expectancies when required or when it's simply beneficial to do so.

    What type of applications need micro switches?

    Micro switches are used in consumer devices and industrial equipment. A common application for these devices is in door interlocks, microwave ovens, or where a door must be shut before the power to the device will turn on. Micro switches are also used in levelling devices, such as those used on vending machines. In an elevator, these devices are used in the door as a safety switch.

    Micro switches can be designed to be very sensitive. Such designs can be used in very precise equipment, such as that which measures the flow of air or other gasses through a system. These devices are used extensively in industry, often in control circuits.

    1833 Products showing for Micro Switches

    Omron
    Simulated Roller Lever
    Quick Connect
    11 A @ 250 V ac
    SP-CO
    IP40
    1.96 N
    -25°C
    +105°C
    -
    Silver Alloy
    -
    10000000Operations
    -
    -
    ZF
    Button
    Through Hole
    6 A @ 250 V ac
    SPDT
    -
    1.47 N
    -40°C
    +120°C
    -
    Gold, Silver Alloy
    -
    15000000Operations
    -
    -
    ZF
    Lever
    Solder
    500 mA @ 30 V dc
    SPDT
    -
    0.49 N
    -25°C
    +70°C
    -
    Gold Plated Brass
    -
    -
    -
    -
    ZF
    Hinge Lever
    Solder
    6 A @ 250 V ac
    SPDT
    IP6K7
    0.69 N
    -40°C
    +120°C
    -
    Silver Alloy
    -
    1000000Operations
    -
    -
    Saia-Burgess
    Plunger
    Solder
    5 A @ 250 V ac
    SPDT
    IP67
    2.5 N
    -40°C
    +85°C
    -
    Fine Silver
    Glass Fibre Reinforced Nylon
    5000000Operations
    0.3N
    -
    Saia-Burgess
    Plunger
    Solder Tag
    5A
    Change Over, Normally Closed or Normally Open
    IP6K7
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
    Honeywell
    Long Straight Lever
    Cable
    6 A
    SP-CO
    IP67
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
    Saia-Burgess
    Plunger
    Pre-wired
    5 A @ 250 V ac
    SPDT
    IP67
    3.9 N
    -40°C
    +85°C
    -
    Silver
    Glass Fibre Reinforced Nylon
    10^6Operations
    1.1N
    -
    Saia-Burgess
    Long Roller Lever
    Pre-wired
    10 A @ 250 V ac
    SPDT
    IP67
    4.5 N
    -10°C
    +85°C
    -
    Silver
    Zinc
    10^6Operations
    0.8N
    -
    Omron
    Long Hinge Lever
    Tab
    16 A @ 250 V ac
    SPST
    IP40
    -
    -25°C
    +105°C
    -
    Silver Alloy
    -
    10000000Operations
    -
    -
    Saia-Burgess
    Lever
    Pre-wired
    5 A @ 250 V ac
    SPDT
    IP6K7
    2 N
    -40°C
    +85°C
    -
    Fine Silver
    Glass Fibre Reinforced PA
    10^5Operations
    0.3N
    -
    Saia-Burgess
    Lever
    Pre-wired
    5 A @ 250 V ac
    SPDT
    IP6K7
    2 N
    -40°C
    +85°C
    -
    Fine Silver
    Glass Fibre Reinforced PA
    10^5Operations
    0.3N
    -
    Saia-Burgess
    Plunger
    Tab
    10 A @ 250 V ac
    SPST-NC
    IP40
    4.5 N
    -40°C
    +85°C
    -
    Silver (Stationary), Silver Nickel (Movable)
    Glass Fibre Reinforced Nylon
    10^6Operations
    4.8N
    -
    Omron
    Pin Plunger
    Tab
    100 mA @ 30 V dc
    SPDT
    IP40
    0.25 N
    -25°C
    +80°C
    -
    Gold Alloy
    -
    10000000Operations
    0.03N
    -
    Omron
    Pin Plunger
    Tab
    16 A @ 250 V ac
    SPST
    IP40
    -
    -25°C
    +105°C
    -
    Silver Alloy
    -
    10000000Operations
    -
    -
    CAMDENBOSS
    Extra Long Lever
    PCB
    5A
    SPDT
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
    Honeywell
    Pin Plunger
    Quick Connect
    16 A
    SP-CO
    IP00
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
    Saia-Burgess
    Roller Lever
    Solder
    5 A @ 250 V ac
    SPDT
    IP67
    0.9 N
    -40°C
    +85°C
    -
    Fine Silver
    Glass Fibre Reinforced Nylon
    5000000Operations
    0.07N
    -
    Omron
    Roller Lever
    Solder
    5 A @ 125 V ac
    SPDT
    IP40
    0.16 N
    -25°C
    +85°C
    -
    Silver
    -
    30000000Operations
    0.02N
    -
    Saia-Burgess
    Short Lever
    Blade
    12A
    -
    IP40
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
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