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How Electrical Switch Works & Its Applications

Electrical switches are simple devices that enable us to make or break the electrical circuit in seconds at one click away. They are an integral part of the day-to-day electrical system.

They perform a fundamental task of regulating the flow of electricity between the consuming device and the power source. Today we can find different types of electrical switches for different uses and requirements.

Functioning Of An Electrical Switch:

A circuit only works if the electric current can move freely in an endless loop. As soon as the loop is broken, the connected device no longer works. When the device is not needed we can simply break the circuit off by disconnecting the conductive wires connected to the power source.

However, this creates an additional risk of electric shock and failures. To counteract this, an electrical switch comes into the picture. They are connected to both terminals of the power source.

When the button is switched to ON, the current flows through the circuit. when switched off, interrupts the circuit, and the current no longer flows. They allow us to make or break the circuit across the consuming device without any risk and hassle.

Applications Of Electrical Switch:

Application of switches can be found in numerous fields such as military, industry, automobiles, aerospace, domestic & commercial premises, etc. They are used in a number of ways by employing two or more different kinds of switches.

Broadly there are two types of electrical switches:

Mechanical switches: They are operated by physically moving, pressing, releasing the button. It includes SPST, SPDT, DPST, DPDT, Push Button, Toggle, Limit, Joystick Switch, Rotary switches

Electronic switches: They don’t require any physical conduit to operate. They are activated or deactivated using semiconductors. It includes Bipolar Transistors, Power Diode, MOSFET, IGBT, SCR, TRIAC, DIAC, Gate Turn-Off Thyristor switches.

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