Discount Electronic Components
Electronic Components - Rotary Switches.
In an effort to provide our continually increasing customer base with additional product offerings, TEDSS.COM has added rotary switches as a category to its already huge inventory of switches. As a leader in the manufacture of rotary switches, Electroswitch has acquired many of the most popular manufacturers of rotary switches. Names such as CRL/Centralab, Oakgrigsby, Stackploe and Shallcross are now all part of Electroswitch and the old part numbers have been dropped however you can find those part numbers if we have them in stock. We also offer other brands such as CTS, Grayhill, Mepcopal and others.
TEDSS.COM has a wide assortment of rotary switches in stock and can offer you great pricing. This style of switch provides greater pole and throw capabilities than simpler switches can offer. Rotary switches are often used in applications when more than 2 positions are needed in an application such as a 3 speed motor or a radio with multiple frequencies. A rotary switch offers a simpler way to switch more combinations than is offered by other switches. Some of the industries that use this type of switch are military and commercial communication, manufacturers of construction and agricultural equipment and test and measurement equipment.
What is a rotary switch?
A rotary switch is designed with a rotor that has a contact arm that projects from its surface. It has multiple terminals arranged in a circle around the rotor. The switch has layers to allow for the use of multiple poles. Each layer is equivalent to one pole. These layers are available in different types of material such as ceramic and phenolic and the choice is determined by the application.
Frequently asked questions about rotary switches.
- What is the difference between enclosed and open frame?
In an open frame switch the moving parts are visible but they are not in an enclosed switch. Some advantages to open frame construction are that the switches have more flexibility on custom contact configurations and that they have sections that are sold separately. Some of the advantages to enclosed frame are more protection from dust and contamination and they generally are less expensive than open frame switches.
Enclosed rotary switch.
Open frame rotary switch.
- What is a section of a rotary switch?
Contacts are mounted on separate sections that are called wafers or decks.
Ceramic section for rotary switch.
Phenolic section for rotary switch.
- What is the index angle?
Index angle is the number of degrees between each position.
- What is the difference between shorting and non-shorting?
Shorting describes the action of the contact when you select your switch positions. The switch will momentarily short position 1+2 together when you rotate from position 1 over to position 2. With a non-shorting switch the connection is momentarily broken when you rotate from position 1 over to position 2