Oct. 15, 2022
Micro switches respond to changes in the environment by opening or closing a set of switching contacts to limit the appliance. Microswitches are very popular today because they are not only small in size, but also very effective. They can be used in a wide range of equipment and appliances that need to be switched quickly and efficiently and can operate at low currents. Microswitches are now widely used in electronic equipment, instrumentation, mining, power systems, household appliances, electrical equipment, and in military applications such as aerospace, aviation, ships, missiles, and tanks, where the switch, although small, plays an irreplaceable role.
There are five factors to consider when choosing the right micro switch.
Basic Micro Switch
The size of the micro switch chosen is very important. The size of the switch is directly related to its characteristics, including current range, travel, and operating force. For example, microswitches are currently marketed at 0.50" x 0.236" x 0.197" (LxWxH). While this microswitch is suitable for detecting circuit conditions in compact circuit breakers, it can only divide currents from 0.1 to 3 amps (A) and has a much shorter journey.
The size of the microswitch is selected according to the type of circuit and current requirements.
You should first understand the current requirements in order to select the correct switch. When currents of up to 3 amps are required in a circuit, choose a smaller switch. In addition, smaller switches can easily break the current because the stroke is smaller. Higher current applications will require larger switches. Therefore, it will depend on the type of equipment in which these switches are installed.
One of the advantages of microswitches is the wider range of amperage available from these switches. Microswitches are typically capable of breaking currents from 5mA/5VDC to 25A/250VAC. As a result, these switches are effective in smaller, lower-power devices as well as in higher-power load systems. Its product line offers a wide range of electrical products for a wide variety of applications, from low energy to power loads.
When selecting the right microswitch, in addition to the current, the engineer must also select the right circuit. Not every microswitch is suitable for every microswitch. There are usually two types of circuits, normally closed and normally open contact circuits.
In a normally closed circuit, the contacts are closed and the current passes through when the switch is actuated the contacts are broken and the current is disconnected. In a normally open circuit, the contacts are not in contact and therefore no current passes through. When the switch is pressed, the circuit closes and the current begins to flow.
Hint: The smaller the switch size, the smaller the travel and the smaller the ability to break the current. However, there are some applications that require the ability to break high currents and high voltage switches, such as industrial-grade pump applications.
Compact Prewired Micro Switch
The contact inside a microswitch is the point of contact between the conductive parts of the switching process. It has a direct influence on whether the microswitch conducts or not and determines its life and dexterity.
The contact needs to be judged in two ways. One is the size, generally speaking, the larger the better. The choice of contact material within the internal structure of the microswitch affects its quality and practicality. TMAZTZ is a large manufacturer of electronic switches in China and pays great attention to the choice of switch materials. Today, a wide range of high-quality microswitches are available for both domestic and international markets.
Environmental requirements can have a significant impact on the choice of a micro switch, particularly in applications requiring high reliability and criticality such as industrial controls and medical equipment. Know the environmental conditions of the application, including contaminants that may enter the switch from the air, the fluid the switch is in, and the operating temperature requirements.
You need to choose a hermetically sealed switch with a wide operating temperature range to suit harsh environmental conditions. Highly reliable microswitches can easily handle a wide range of applications over a temperature range of -65 degrees F (-54 degrees C) to 350 degrees F (177 degrees C). It is also important to note that the switch should have a protection rating of at least IP67 against liquid ingress. This will eliminate the need to spend a lot of time designing an enclosure that will achieve the same level of protection. Also, make sure that the switch is resistant to contamination. Keeping these features in mind will increase the overall life of the switch
Depending on the life expectancy of each application, the same switch will be equipped with different contact materials, terminals, and housings. Therefore, knowing how many service cycles are required can help you find the right switch for your application. A reliable microswitch should have an electrical life of at least 10.000 cycles and a mechanical life of at least 1,000,000 cycles. Remember, you are not just paying for a switch. The most important thing you need to ensure is that the switch will operate trouble-free for a long time.
Are you interested in purchasing microswitches from a Chinese micro switch manufacturer? For more information on microswitches, please visit this link.
