Summary of Switches

Switch is an electrical component which can make or break electrical circuit automatically or
manually. Switch mainly works with ON (open) and OFF (closed) mechanism. Numerous
circuits hold switches that control how the circuit works or actuate different characteristics of
the circuit. The classification of switches depends on the connection they make. Two vital
components that confirm what sorts of connections a switch makes are pole and throw.
Pole of a switch represents contact.
Throw represents a contact-to-contact connection.
Switches can be of two types. They are:
• Mechanical
• Electronic
Mechanical Switches are physical switches, which must be activated physically, by moving,
pressing, releasing, or touching its contacts.

1. Single Pole Single Throw Switch (SPST)

• This is the basic ON and OFF switch consisting of one input contact and one output
contact.
• It switches a single circuit and it can either make (ON) or break (OFF) the load.
• The contacts of SPST can be either normally open or normally closed configurations.

2. Single Pole Double Throw Switch (SPDT)

• This switch has three terminals: one is input contact and remaining two are output
contacts.
• This means it consist two ON positions and one-OFF position.
• In most of the circuits, these switches are used as changeover to connect the input
between two choices of outputs.
• The contact which is connected to the input by default is referred as normally closed
contact and contact which will be connected during ON operation is a normally open
contact.
3. Double Pole Single Throw Switch (DPST)
• This switch consists of four terminals: two input contacts and two output contacts.
• It behaves like a two separate SPST configurations, operating at the same time.
• It has only one ON position, but it can actuate the two contacts simultaneously, such
that each input contact will be connected to its corresponding output contact.
• In OFF position both switches are at open state.
• This type of switches is used for controlling two different circuits at a time.
• Also, the contacts of this switch may be either normally open or normally closed
configurations.

4. Double Pole Double Throw Switch (DPDT)

• This is a dual ON/OFF switch consisting of two ON positions.

• It has six terminals, two are input contacts and remaining four are the output contacts.
• It behaves like a two separate SPDT configuration, operating at the same time.
• Two input contacts are connected to the one set of output contacts in one position and
in another position, input contacts are connected to the other set of output contacts.
 5. Push Button Switches

6. Toggle Switches

7. Limit Switches

8. Float Switches

9. Flow Switches

10. Pressure Switches

11. Temperature Switches

12. Joystick Switch

13. Rotary Switches

Electronic Switches, on the other hand, do not require any physical contact in order to

control a circuit. These are activated by semiconductor action.

1. Bipolar Transistors

2. Power Diode

3. MOSFET

4. IGBT

5. SCR

6. TRIAC

7. DIAC

8. Gate Turn-Off Thyristor

Advantages of Switches :
1. Increases Capacity –
They increment the accessible data transfer capacity of the organization.

2. Reduces Burden –
They help in lessening the outstanding burden on individual host PCs.

3. Increment Presentation –
They increment the presentation of the organization.
 4. Less casing Impacts –
Networks that use switches will have fewer casing impacts. This is because of
the way that switches make impact areas for every association.

5. Straightforward –
Switches can be associated straightforwardly with workstations.

6. Increases Bandwidth –
It increases the available bandwidth of the network.

7. Less frame collisions –

Networks that use switches will have fewer frame collisions

8. More secure –
Since the switch is isolated, data will go only to the destination.
Disadvantages of Switches :
1. Costly –
They are more costly in contrast with network spans.

2. Tough Availability issues –

Network availability issues are hard to be followed through the organization
switch.

3. Issues in traffic broadcasting –

Broadcast traffic might be problematic.

4. Defenseless –
If switches are in the indiscriminate mode, they are defenseless against security
assaults for example caricaturing IP address or catching Ethernet outlines.

5. Need for Proper Planning –

Proper planning and arrangement are required to deal with multicast parcels.

6. Mechanical Component can wear out –

The switch’s mechanical component can wear out with time.

7. Physical contact is mandatory –

Must have physical contact with the object to be actuated.
References
https://www.elprocus.com/switches-types-working/
https://www.geeksforgeeks.org/advantages-and-disadvantages-of-switch/
https://www.codrey.com/electronics/types-of-switches-in-electronics/