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.

    1688 Products showing for Micro Switches

    Crouzet
    Plunger
    Solder
    5 A @ 250 V ac
    NO/NC
    -
    0.6 N
    -20°C
    +125°C
    -
    Silver Nickel
    PET
    3 x 10^7Operations
    0.1N
    -
    Omron
    Pin Plunger
    Tab
    16 A @ 250 V ac
    SPDT
    IP40
    1.96 N
    -25°C
    +80°C
    -
    Silver Alloy
    Thermoplastic
    50000000Operations
    0.49N
    -
    RS PRO
    Roller Lever
    Solder
    2 A @ 250 V ac
    SPST
    -
    50 gms
    -25°C
    +85°C
    -
    Silver
    Glass Filled Thermoplastic
    500000 Operations @ 60 cpm
    2.5gf
    250V ac
    RS PRO
    Long Roller Lever
    Solder
    16 A @ 250 V ac
    SP-DT
    -
    250 gms
    -55°C
    +85°C
    V3 Housing
    Silver on Copper
    Glass Filled Thermoplastic
    10000000Operations
    25gf
    250V ac
    Saia-Burgess
    Button
    Tab
    16 A @ 250 V ac
    SPDT-NO/NC
    IP40
    3.2 N
    -40°C
    +85°C
    -
    Fine Silver; Silver Nickel
    Melamine Formaldehyd Thermosetting
    50000000Operations
    0.4N
    -
    Saia-Burgess
    Hinge Lever
    Solder
    10.1 A @ 250 V ac
    CO
    IP40
    1.04 N
    -40°C
    +85°C
    -
    Gold; Silver
    -
    5 x 10^6Operations
    0.16N
    250V ac
    Omron
    Pin Plunger
    Tab
    16 A @ 250 V ac
    SPST-NO
    IP40
    -
    -25°C
    +105°C
    -
    Silver Alloy
    -
    10000000Operations
    -
    -
    Omron
    Pin Plunger
    Pre-wired
    100 mA @ 30 V dc
    SPDT-NO/NC
    IP67
    1.77 N
    -40°C
    +85°C
    -
    Gold Alloy
    -
    5000000Operations
    0.29N
    -
    ZF
    Roller Lever
    Tab
    16 A @ 250 V ac
    SPDT-NO/NC
    -
    0.49 N
    -40°C
    +150°C
    -
    Silver Alloy
    -
    -
    -
    -
    Omron
    Pin Plunger
    Solder
    2 A @ 12 V dc
    SPDT-NO/NC
    IP67
    0.75 N
    -40°C
    +85°C
    -
    Gold Alloy
    -
    1000000Operations
    0.1N
    -
    RS PRO
    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
    Saia-Burgess
    Simulated Roller Lever
    Solder
    5 A @ 250 V ac
    SP-NO/NC
    IP40
    0.7 N
    -40°C
    +85°C
    -
    Silver
    Glass Fibre Reinforced Nylon
    10^7Operations
    0.09N
    -
    Panasonic
    Hinge Lever
    Solder
    2 A @ 30 V dc
    SPDT
    -
    0.49 N
    -25°C
    +85°C
    -
    Silver Nickel Alloy
    -
    5 x 10^5Operations
    0.049N
    -
    Omron
    Pin Plunger
    Solder
    5 A @ 125 V ac
    SPDT-NO/NC
    IP40
    0.49 N
    -25°C
    +85°C
    -
    Silver
    -
    30000000Operations
    0.04N
    -
    Saia-Burgess
    Short Lever
    Pre-wired
    3 A @ 250 V ac
    SPDT
    IP67
    0.9 N
    -40°C
    +85°C
    -
    Fine Silver
    Glass Fibre Reinforced Nylon
    5000000Operations
    0.07N
    -
    Crouzet
    Plunger
    Screw
    6 A @ 250 V ac
    DT-NO/NC
    IP40
    4.5 N
    -50°C
    +85°C
    -
    Silver Nickel
    Glass Fibre Reinforced PC
    10^7Operations
    -
    -
    ZF
    Button
    Tab
    15 A @ 250 V ac
    SPDT-NO/NC
    -
    4.17 N
    -
    -
    -
    Silver Cadmium Oxide
    -
    -
    -
    -
    ZF
    Roller Lever
    Solder
    10.1 A @ 250 V ac
    SPDT-NO/NC
    -
    0.93 N
    -40°C
    +120°C
    -
    Gold; Silver Alloy
    -
    15000000Operations
    -
    -
    Saia-Burgess
    Roller Lever
    Pre-wired
    5 A @ 250 V ac
    SP-NO/NC
    IP67
    2.3 N
    -40°C
    +85°C
    -
    Silver
    Glass Fibre Reinforced Nylon
    10^6Operations
    0.42N
    -
    Saia-Burgess
    Plunger
    Screw
    15 A @ 250 V ac
    SPDT
    IP54
    7.2 N
    -10°C
    +85°C
    -
    Silver
    Zinc Alloy
    10^6Operations
    1.7N
    -
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