Switches

Learning Intentions

  • To learn how switches allow the control of electric current
  • To learn about some of the switches that are used in electronics

Notes

Here is a picture of a light switch that Mr. Renwick used when visiting Cuba.

  • How does it work?
  • Why is it dangerous?

Assignment

  1. Build a circuit where a tact switch turns on a single LED.
  2. Build a circuit where a tact switch turns on 2 LED’s at the same time.
  3. Build a circuit with 2 LED’s where you can use a slide switch to decide which LED is on.
  4. Add a tact switch to the previous circuit that must be pushed for either LED to turn on.
  5. Hard question: Build a circuit where an LED is on when the tact switch is not pushed, and off when the switch is pushed.

Types of Switches

Pushbutton Switches

  1. Normally open (NO) pushbutton switch
  2. Normally closed (NC) pushbutton switch

Toggle Switches

  1. Single pole single throw (SPST) toggle switch
  2. Double pole single throw (DPST) toggle switch
  3. Single pole double throw (SPDT) toggle switch
  4. Double pole double throw (DPDT) toggle switch

Slide Switches

  1. Double pole single throw (DPST) slide switch
  2. Double pole double throw (DPDT) slide switch

 

DIP (Dual Inline Package) Switches

Tilt Switch

Mercury Tilt Switch and Reed Switch (1:16)

 

Datasheets

Datasheet – Switch Slide – A107673-ND

Datasheet – Switch Tactile – 450-1650-ND, 450-1642-ND‎

Datasheet – Switch DIP 2 Position – CT2102MS-ND

 

Questions

  1. Build a circuit where a tact switch turns on an LED.
  2. Build a circuit where a tact switch turns on 2 LED’s.
  3. Build a circuit where an LED is on when the switch is not pushed, and off when the switch is pushed.
  4. Build a circuit with 2 LED’s, where you can use a switch to decide which LED is turned on.