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
    20 A @ 250 V ac
    NO/NC
    IP40
    0.8 N
    -20°C
    +125°C
    V3 Housing
    Silver Nickel
    Polyamide
    2 x 10^7Operations
    0.2N
    -
    Omron
    Roller Lever
    Solder
    100 mA @ 30 V dc
    SPDT-NO/NC
    IP40
    0.16 N
    -25°C
    +85°C
    -
    Gold Alloy
    -
    30000000Operations
    0.02N
    -
    ZF
    Long Hinge Lever
    Screw
    20 A @ 250 V ac
    SPDT-NO/NC
    -
    0.78 N
    -20°C
    +85°C
    -
    Silver Alloy
    -
    1000000Operations
    0.14N
    -
    Marquardt
    Lever
    Solder
    10 A @ 400 V ac
    SP-CO
    -
    0.8 → 1.4 N
    -40°C
    +100°C
    V0 Housing
    Ag
    Duroplast Type 182, PA Glass Fiber-Reinforced, PA Latamid
    -
    -
    -
    Zippy
    Snap
    Pre-wired
    6 A
    SP-CO
    IP67
    66 gf
    -40°C
    +55°C
    -
    Ag Alloy, Brass
    Polyamide
    -
    13gf
    125 V ac, 250V ac
    ZF
    Button
    Solder
    6 A @ 250 V ac
    SPDT-NO/NC
    -
    1.47 N
    -40°C
    +120°C
    -
    Gold; Silver Alloy
    -
    15000000Operations
    -
    -
    ZF
    Roller Lever
    Through Hole
    6 A @ 250 V ac
    SPDT-NO/NC
    IP6K7
    0.78 N
    -40°C
    +105°C
    -
    Silver Alloy
    -
    1000000Operations
    -
    -
    Saia-Burgess
    Lever
    Pre-wired
    10 A @ 250 V ac
    SP-NO/NC
    IP67
    3 N
    -10°C
    +85°C
    -
    Silver
    Zinc
    10^6Operations
    0.6N
    -
    Omron
    Short Hinge Roller Lever
    Quick Connect
    10 A @ 250 V ac
    SP-CO
    IP40
    100 gf
    -25°C
    +80°C
    -
    Silver
    Thermosetting
    300000Operations
    15gf
    -
    Omron
    Hinge Lever
    Tab
    15 A @ 250 V ac
    SPDT-NO/NC
    IP40
    1.23 N
    -25°C
    +80°C
    -
    Silver Alloy
    -
    50000000Operations
    0.14N
    -
    Omron
    Roller Lever
    Solder
    100 mA @ 30 V dc
    SPDT-NO/NC
    IP40
    0.49 N
    -25°C
    +85°C
    -
    Gold Alloy
    -
    30000000Operations
    0.06N
    -
    Omron
    Pin Plunger
    Tab
    16 A @ 250 V ac
    SPDT-NO/NC
    IP40
    -
    -25°C
    +105°C
    -
    Silver Alloy
    -
    10000000Operations
    -
    -
    Omron
    Hinge Lever
    PCB
    3 A @ 125 V ac
    SPDT-NO/NC
    IP40
    0.78 N
    -25°C
    +65°C
    -
    Silver Alloy
    -
    1000000Operations
    0.05N
    -
    Panasonic
    Hinge Lever
    PCB
    100 mA @ 30 V dc
    SP-CO
    -
    0.078 N
    -25°C
    +85°C
    -
    Triple Clad Gold
    -
    5 x 10^5Operations
    0.003N
    -
    ZF
    Button
    PCB
    6 A @ 250 V ac
    SPDT-NO/NC
    IP6K7
    1.96 N
    -40°C
    +120°C
    -
    Silver Alloy
    -
    1000000Operations
    -
    -
    Marquardt
    Roller Lever
    Tab
    10 A @ 250 V ac
    SPDT
    -
    1.5 → 2.5 N
    -40°C
    +100°C
    V0 Housing
    Silver
    Thermosetting Plastic
    5000000Cycles
    -
    -
    Honeywell
    Short Roller Lever
    Screw
    15 A @ 125 V ac
    SPDT-NO/NC
    -
    1.67 N
    -55°C
    +85°C
    -
    Fine Silver
    Phenolic
    20000000Cycles
    0.42N
    125V ac
    Omron
    Pin Plunger
    PCB
    3 A @ 125 V ac
    SPDT-NO/NC
    IP40
    1.47 N
    -25°C
    +65°C
    -
    Silver Alloy
    -
    1000000Operations
    0.2N
    -
    Panasonic
    Pin Plunger
    Solder
    50mA at 16V DC
    SPST
    IP67
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
    Panasonic
    Hinge Lever
    Solder
    5 A @ 250 V ac
    SPDT
    -
    0.54 N
    -25°C
    +85°C
    -
    Silver Nickel Alloy
    -
    10^7Operations
    0.034N
    -
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