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

    ZF
    Button
    Pre-wired
    10.1 A @ 250 V ac
    SPDT
    IP6K7
    3.33 N
    -40°C
    +105°C
    -
    Silver Alloy
    -
    1000000Operations
    -
    -
    Panasonic
    Roller Lever
    Tab
    3 A @ 250 V ac
    SP-CO
    IP50
    1.18 N
    -40°C
    +85°C
    -
    Gold Clad Silver Nickel Alloy
    PPHS
    5 x 10^6Operations
    0.13N
    -
    Panasonic
    Roller Lever
    Pre-wired
    2 A @ 30 V dc
    SP-CO
    IP67
    0.39 N
    -40°C
    +85°C
    -
    Silver Nickel Alloy
    -
    5 x 10^6Operations
    0.034N
    -
    Omron
    Plunger
    PCB
    15A at 250Vac VA, 600mA at 125Vdc VA
    SPST
    IP40
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
    Omron
    Hinge Lever
    Solder
    100 mA @ 30 V dc
    SPDT
    IP40
    0.49 N
    -25°C
    +85°C
    -
    Gold Alloy
    -
    30000000Operations
    0.06N
    -
    Omron
    Rotary
    Tab
    5 A @ 250 V ac
    SPDT
    IP40
    -
    -25°C
    +80°C
    -
    Silver Alloy
    -
    10000000Operations
    -
    -
    Omron
    Plunger
    Through Hole
    500 mA @ 30 V dc
    SPDT
    IP40
    1.18 N
    -15°C
    +70°C
    -
    Silver Plated
    -
    30000Operations
    0.19N
    -
    ZF
    Simulated Roller Lever
    Solder
    10.1 A @ 250 V ac
    SPDT
    IP6K7
    1.27 N
    -40°C
    +120°C
    -
    Silver Alloy
    -
    1000000Operations
    -
    -
    Omron
    Long Hinge Lever
    Solder
    5 A
    SPDT
    IP40
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
    ZF
    Long Hinge Lever
    Through Hole
    6 A @ 250 V ac
    SPDT
    -
    0.18 N
    -40°C
    +120°C
    -
    Gold, Silver Alloy
    -
    15000000Operations
    -
    -
    Omron
    Simulated Roller Lever
    Solder
    2 A @ 12 V dc
    SPDT
    IP67
    0.65 N
    -40°C
    +85°C
    -
    Gold Alloy
    -
    1000000Operations
    0.05N
    -
    Omron
    Lever
    Through Hole
    2 A @ 12 V dc
    SPDT
    IP67
    1.8 N
    -40°C
    +85°C
    -
    Gold Alloy
    -
    1000000Operations
    0.2N
    -
    Omron
    Roller Lever
    Solder
    100 mA @ 30 V dc
    SPDT
    IP67
    0.98 N
    -40°C
    +85°C
    -
    Gold Alloy
    -
    1000000Operations
    0.2N
    -
    Omron
    Hinge Lever
    Solder
    1 A @ 125 V ac
    SPDT
    IP40
    0.25 N
    -25°C
    +65°C
    -
    Silver Alloy
    -
    1000000Operations
    0.02N
    -
    Crouzet
    Button
    Quick Connect
    6 A @ 250 V ac
    SPDT
    IP67
    2.5 N
    -40°C
    +125°C
    -
    Gold Plated Silver Cadmium Oxide, Gold Plated Silver
    -
    2000000Operations
    0.8N
    -
    Omron
    Hinge Lever
    Tab
    2 A @ 250 V ac
    SPDT
    IP67
    0.6 N
    -20°C
    +70°C
    -
    Silver Alloy
    -
    1000000Operations
    0.05N
    -
    ZF
    Long Hinge Lever
    Screw
    20 A @ 250 V ac
    SPDT
    -
    0.78 N
    -20°C
    +85°C
    -
    Silver Alloy
    -
    1000000Operations
    0.14N
    -
    Omron
    Roller Lever
    Tab
    100 mA @ 30 V dc
    SPDT
    IP40
    0.16 N
    -25°C
    +85°C
    -
    Gold Alloy
    -
    30000000Operations
    0.02N
    -
    Honeywell
    Pin Plunger
    Quick Connect
    15 A
    SP-CO
    -
    1.47 N
    -40°C
    +85°C
    V7 Housing
    Silver/Gold Plated/Gold Alloy
    Thermoplastic
    10000000Cycles
    0.25N
    125V ac
    Omron
    Hinge Lever
    Tab
    100 mA @ 30 V dc
    SPDT
    IP67
    0.59 N
    -40°C
    +85°C
    -
    Gold Alloy
    -
    5000000Operations
    0.06N
    -
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