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

    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.

    1688 Products showing for Micro Switches

    RS PRO
    Long Straight Lever
    Quick Connect
    16 A @ 250 V ac
    SP-CO
    -
    400 gms
    -55°C
    +85°C
    V3 Housing
    Silver on Copper
    Glass Filled Thermoplastic
    10000000Operations
    12gf
    250V ac
    RS PRO
    Plunger
    Screw
    5A @ 250V ac
    SPDT
    IP40
    142g
    -10°C
    +70°C
    -
    Silver
    Glass Filled Thermoplastic
    500000Operations
    28g
    250V
    RS PRO
    Lever
    Screw
    15 A @ 250 V ac
    SP-CO
    -
    85 gms
    -
    -
    -
    Fine Silver
    Plastic
    1000000Operations
    14gf
    250V ac
    RS PRO
    Lever
    Screw
    16A @ 250V ac
    SPDT
    IP40
    130g
    -55°C
    +85°C
    -
    Silver/ Silver Plated
    Glass Filled Thermoplastic
    1000000Operations
    35g
    250V
    RS PRO
    Long Straight Lever
    Quick Connect
    16A @ 250V ac
    SPDT
    IP40
    125g
    -55°C
    +85°C
    -
    Silver/ Silver Plated
    Glass Filled Thermoplastic
    1000000Operations
    14g
    250V
    RS PRO
    Pin Plunger
    Cable
    5 A @ 250 V ac
    SP-CO
    IP67
    390 gms
    -10°C
    +85°C
    -
    Silver
    Glass Fibre Reinforced Nylon
    1000000Operations
    110gf
    250V ac
    RS PRO
    Long Roller Lever
    Solder
    5 A @ 250 V ac
    SP-CO
    IP67
    200 gms
    -10°C
    +85°C
    -
    Silver
    Glass Fibre Reinforced Nylon
    1000000Operations
    40gf
    250V ac
    RS PRO
    Short Roller Lever
    Cable
    5 A @ 250 V ac
    SP-CO
    IP67
    390 gms
    -10°C
    +85°C
    -
    Silver
    Glass Fibre Reinforced Nylon
    1000000Operations
    110gf
    250V ac
    RS PRO
    Short Lever
    Quick Connect
    16 A @ 250 V ac
    SP-CO
    -
    400 gms
    -55°C
    +85°C
    V3 Housing
    Silver on Copper
    Glass Filled Thermoplastic
    10000000Operations
    80gf
    250V ac
    RS PRO
    Roller Lever
    Solder
    2 A @ 250 V ac
    SPST
    IP40
    50 gms
    -25°C
    +85°C
    -
    Silver
    Glass Filled Thermoplastic
    500000 Operations @ 60 cpm
    2.5gf
    250V ac
    RS PRO
    Plunger
    Quick Connect
    16A @ 250V ac
    SPDT
    IP40
    200g
    -55°C
    +85°C
    -
    Silver/ Silver Plated
    Glass Filled Thermoplastic
    1000000Operations
    50g
    250V
    RS PRO
    Roller Lever
    Screw
    15 A @ 250 V ac
    SP-CO
    -
    213 gms
    -
    -
    -
    Fine Silver
    Plastic
    1000000Operations
    35gf
    250V ac
    ZF
    Short Roller Lever
    Solder
    100 mA @ 30 V dc
    SPDT-NO/NC
    IP6K7
    0.88 N
    -40°C
    +120°C
    -
    Gold
    -
    1000000Operations
    -
    -
    RS PRO
    Push Button
    Solder
    10A @ 250V ac
    SPDT
    IP67
    380 - 550g
    -40°C
    +85°C
    -
    Silver
    Glass Filled Thermoplastic
    100000Operations
    -
    250V
    Honeywell
    Plunger
    Tab
    16 A @ 250 V ac
    SPDT-NO/NC
    -
    0.98 N
    -25°C
    +125°C
    -
    Silver Cadmium Oxide
    Polybutylene Terephthalate PET Thermoplastic
    5000000Operations
    0.25N
    -
    Omron
    Pin Plunger
    Quick Connect
    15 A @ 250 V ac
    SP-CO
    IP40
    200 gf
    -25°C
    +80°C
    -
    Silver Alloy
    Thermosetting
    100000Operations
    50gf
    -
    Saia-Burgess
    Leaf Lever
    Tab
    16 A @ 250 V ac
    SPDT-NO/NC
    IP40
    0.65 N
    -40°C
    +85°C
    -
    Fine Silver; Silver Nickel
    Melamine Formaldehyd Thermosetting
    50000000Operations
    -
    -
    ZF
    Long Hinge Lever
    Solder
    6 A @ 250 V ac
    SPDT-NO/NC
    -
    0.18 N
    -40°C
    +120°C
    -
    Gold; Silver Alloy
    -
    15000000Operations
    -
    -
    Honeywell
    Long Leaf Lever
    Quick Connect
    16 A @ 250 V ac
    SPDT-NO/NC
    IP67
    3.92 N
    -25°C
    +150°C
    -
    Silver
    Plastic
    1000000Cycles
    15gf
    125; 250V ac
    Omron
    Roller Lever
    Solder
    15 A @ 250 V ac
    SPDT-NO/NC
    IP40
    1.23 N
    -25°C
    +80°C
    -
    Silver Alloy
    -
    50000000Operations
    0.14N
    -
    Results per page