Microswitch Products
Changeover Switch Also known as a double-throw microswitch, which opens one pair of contacts and closes another pair of contacts when actuated. One contact is common to both pairs in three terminal microswitches. Collapsing Action A type of Microswitch operation where there is no build-up of the force opposing actuating force after the operating position has been reached. This is advantageous in push button microswitches as it provides a satisfying, unfatiguing feel and allows the operator to know that the switch has operated. Double-Break Describes a microswitch mechanism which opens or closes a circuit at two points. In the context of electrical isolation, the two gaps thus produced are additive. The Saia-Burgess range includes both two-circuit and four-circuit double-break switches; the former are able to control a separate circuit on each pair of fixed contacts while the latter can be used either to control four circuits or as a double-pole switch. Care must be exercised to ensure that the potential between the loads is such that arcing is inhibited. Double-Pole Ascribed to microswitches capable of controlling two circuits, or of opening and closing the two conductors of one circuit. They may be double-break four-circuit switches, switches with two single- pole mechanisms in one enclosure or assemblies of two single- pole switches. Double Throw A microswitch which opens one pair of contacts and closes another pair when it is actuated. One contact is common to both pairs in three terminal switches.	Other Snap Action Microswitch Technologies available from Saia-Burgess Fail Safe A requirement of microswitches used in safety applications to ensure that the machine or appliance being safeguarded remains in, or assumes, an electrically safe condition should the switch fail for any reason. Joystick Controller An assembly of Microswitches mounted singly or in banks at one or more stations around a control column which may be moved manually to actuate the selected switch or bank of Microswitches. Limit Switch A machine control Microswitch used to interrupt the power supply or control circuitry when a moving part of the machine reaches a predetermined point in its travel. Theoretically the term could apply to any Microswitch used for this purpose, but in practice it is confined to microswitches designed specifically for the duty and able to withstand the environmental hazards of the machine shop. Manually Actuated Switch Switching unit or assembly designed specifically for actuation by human operators. Normally closed, open The relationship of the fixed and moving contacts when the microswitch is in free position. Thus normally closed contacts pass current when the switch is in the free position and they open when the switch is actuated. Normally open contacts behave in the reverse way. Changeover switches have both normally and closed contacts but they may be used as single throw units by using the appropriate two terminals. Push Button Switch A reciprocating plunger type of manually actuated switch. The button may be plain and unlighted or it may be the screen of a lighted indicator. Two types of switching action are available: Momentary action means that the switch is operated only while the button is held depressed, and alternate action means that the switch remains operated when the button is released, and maintains this condition until the button is again depressed and released. Single Throw A Microswitch which provides an on-off or off-on function but does not changeover from one conductor to another. Such microswitches are usually referred to as being "normally closed or normally open"