Electrical Sensing Devices

What are the basic

functions of electrical
safety
control?
convenience
comfort

Non-Automatic Controls
plug at end of cord
snap switch
magnetic switch

Parts of Automatic Devices

Sensing Element
Switch

Types of Switches

Power

Single Throw: break one line of

wire (120v)

Types of Switches

Double Pole: break two lines of

wire (240v)

Types of Switches

Three Pole: 3-Phase:

Types of Switches

Normally Open (NO)

door

bell

Normally Closed (NC)

stop

button

How are electric control

switches classified?
Number of poles: moveable
contacts
Number of throws: stationary
contacts
NO or NC

How does a Mercury

Switch operate?
switch is opened or closed by liquid
mercury in a closed tube
as tube is tilted, mercury makes
contact with wires, activates switch
as tube is tilted opposite, mercurey
moves away from wires, breaks
circuit
livestock water tanks

What is an overload
protection device in a
safety protection
switch?

snap switch is a thermal overload

device
often have a small light on switch
which indicates when a motor is
running

What is a relay device?

control a circuit carrying a large

current by means of a low-current
circuit
photoelectric

cell

Advantages:
smaller

control wires
less expensive
large distances between switch and load
low current in switch, lasts longer
can sequence certain loads

Parts of a relay

Solenoid or electromagnet
coil

and a movable armature

set of contact points

Two electronic circuits

low

voltage control circuits

load circuit

What is an ElectroMagnetic Switch?

similar to a relay, without the low
voltage line
creates a fast make and break
circuit
easy to apply remote control
easy to add overload protection to
switch
car or tractor starting switch

Sensing Devices
Thermostats: air temperature
Humidistats: changes in moisture
& humidity
Time control: clock
Photocell: light intensity
Each reacts to a specific condition
High or low voltage circuits

Thermostats

Bimetallic
different

rates

Liquid-gas
gas

filled bellows expand/contract

Hydraulic
same

metals expand at different

as liquid-gas, uses liquid

Heating or Cooling