Choosing an Electrical Switch
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Snap-Acting Switches
Open and close circuits in a snap. These switches actuate quickly to minimize arcing and prevent contacts from sticking. They’re often used to indicate that an appliance or enclosure door is open. You can also use them inside limit, pressure, and temperature switches.
Switches with a plunger actuator require a push to actuate, similar to a button.
Switches with a lever actuator have an arm that extends to give them a larger actuation area than switches with a plunger actuator.
Switches with a wobble stick actuator have a flexible arm that can actuate from any direction.
Plastic covers (sold separately) are compatible with switches with screw terminals. They fit over the bottom of the switch to prevent contact with live terminals.
For technical drawings and 3-D models, click on a part number.
Switches | ||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Housing | Plastic Covers | |||||||||||||||||
| No. of Circuits Controlled | Switch Starting Position | Switch Action | Industry Designation | Switching Current @ Voltage | Max. Voltage  | Horsepower @ Switching Voltage | Operating Temp. Range, °F | Actuator Ht. | No. of Terminals | Lg. | Ht. | Dp. | Lever Lg. | Each | Each | |||
Plunger Actuator Style | ||||||||||||||||||
With Quick-Disconnect Terminals | ||||||||||||||||||
| A | 1 | 1 On (Normally Closed) | Springs Back (Momentary) | SPST-NC | 15 A @ 250 V AC, 0.5 A @ 125 V DC | 480V AC 250V DC | __ | -67° to 185° | 0.05" | 2 | 1.94" | 0.83" | 0.69" | __ | 00000000 | 000000 | 000000 | 00 |
With Screw Terminals | ||||||||||||||||||
| A | 1 | 1 On (Normally Closed) | Springs Back (Momentary) | SPST-NC | 20 A @ 250 V AC, 0.5 A @ 125 V DC | 480V AC 250V DC | 2 hp @ 250 V AC | -67° to 185° | 0.06" | 2 | 1.94" | 0.79" | 0.69" | __ | 00000000 | 00000 | 0000000 | 00000 |
Lever Actuator Style | ||||||||||||||||||
With Screw Terminals | ||||||||||||||||||
| F | 1 | 1 On (Normally Closed) | Springs Back (Momentary) | SPST-NC | 15 A @ 250 V AC, 0.5 A @ 125 V DC | 480V AC 250V DC | 1/4 hp @ 250 V AC | -67° to 185° | 0.65" | 2 | 1.94" | 0.93" | 0.69" | 4.9" | 00000000 | 00000 | 0000000 | 0000 |
| F | 1 | 1 On (Normally Closed) | Springs Back (Momentary) | SPST-NC | 20 A @ 250 V AC, 0.5 A @ 125 V DC | 480V AC 250V DC | 2 hp @ 250 V AC | -67° to 185° | 0.72" | 2 | 1.94" | 0.87" | 0.69" | 2.9" | 00000000 | 00000 | 0000000 | 0000 |
Wobble Stick Actuator Style | ||||||||||||||||||
With Wire Leads | ||||||||||||||||||
| J | 1 | 1 On (Normally Closed) | Springs Back (Momentary) | SPST-NC | 15 A @ 250 V AC, 0.5 A @ 125 V DC | 480V AC 250V DC | 1/4 hp @ 250 V AC | -67° to 185° | 3.93" | 2 | 1.94" | 1.38" | 0.69" | __ | 00000000 | 000000 | 000000 | 00 |
Mil. Spec. Washdown Snap-Acting Switches
Keep out dirt and moisture—the sealed housing on these switches is watertight and meet MIL-PRF-8805. They’re sized to fit in the tiniest of spaces. To minimize arcing and prevent contacts from sticking, they open and close circuits quickly. They’re often used as door-open indicators on appliances and enclosures or as an internal component in limit, pressure, and temperature switches.
Switches with a plunger actuator require a push to actuate.
Switches with a roller lever actuator allow parts to glide across the actuation surface with less friction than standard levers.
For technical drawings and 3-D models, click on a part number.
Wire Leads | Housing | |||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| No. of Circuits Controlled | Switch Starting Position | Switch Action | Industry Designation | Switching Current @ Voltage | Max. Voltage | Operating Temp. Range, °F | Actuator Ht. | Wire Connection Type | No. of | Lg. | Lg. | Ht. | Dp. | Lever Lg. | Each | |
Plunger Actuator Style | ||||||||||||||||
| 1 | 1 On (Normally Closed) | Springs Back (Momentary) | SPST-NC | 5 A @ 250 V AC, 5 A @ 30 V DC | 250V AC 30V DC | -65° to 221° | 0.15" | Wire Leads | 2 | 12" | 0.88" | 0.6" | 0.35" | __ | 0000000 | 0000000 |
Roller Lever Actuator Style | ||||||||||||||||
| 1 | 1 On (Normally Closed) | Springs Back (Momentary) | SPST-NC | 5 A @ 250 V AC, 5 A @ 30 V DC | 250V AC 30V DC | -65° to 221° | 0.46" | Wire Leads | 2 | 12" | 0.88" | 0.6" | 0.34" | 0.94" | 0000000 | 000000 |
Subminiature Snap-Acting Switches
At least 25% smaller than our Miniature Snap-Acting Switches, these switches are often used to trigger actions from inside a vehicle’s door or an engine compartment. They open and close circuits faster than other switches, preventing contacts from sticking by reducing the time that they're near one another. They also minimize the chance of arcing, so electricity won’t jump across contacts.
Plunger actuator switches send a signal when the actuator is pushed directly downward. They have the smallest actuator of the actuators here, reducing the risk of accidental switching.
Lever actuator switches have a larger surface area than plunger actuator switches and can be pushed down by front-to-back movement, so they require less precision to activate.
Roller lever actuator switches allow parts to glide across the actuation surface with less friction than standard levers. This prevents wear and tear over time.
For technical drawings and 3-D models, click on a part number.
Housing | ||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| No. of Circuits Controlled | Switch Starting Position | Switch Action | Industry Designation | Switching Current @ Voltage | Max. Voltage | Operating Temp. Range, °F | Actuator Ht. | No. of Terminals | Lg. | Ht. | Dp. | Lever Lg. | Each | |
Plunger Actuator Style | ||||||||||||||
With Solder Lugs | ||||||||||||||
| 1 | 1 On (Normally Closed) | Springs Back (Momentary) | SPST-NC | 10 A @ 250 V AC | 250V AC | -40° to 185° | 0.09" | 2 | 0.79" | 0.36" | 0.26" | __ | 0000000 | 00000 |
Lever Actuator Style | ||||||||||||||
With Solder Lugs | ||||||||||||||
| 1 | 1 On (Normally Closed) | Springs Back (Momentary) | SPST-NC | 10 A @ 250 V AC | 250V AC | -40° to 185° | 0.29" | 2 | 0.79" | 0.36" | 0.26" | 0.75" | 0000000 | 0000 |
Roller Lever Actuator Style | ||||||||||||||
With Solder Lugs | ||||||||||||||
| 1 | 1 On (Normally Closed) | Springs Back (Momentary) | SPST-NC | 10 A @ 250 V AC | 250V AC | -40° to 185° | 0.48" | 2 | 0.79" | 0.36" | 0.26" | 0.69" | 0000000 | 0000 |
Ultra-Precision Wet-Location Limit Switches
These switches actuate with the slightest push for a high degree of accuracy. All are rated IP67 for protection from wet locations and temporary submersion. They’re often used for determining manufacturing tolerances and detecting minute expansions and contractions.
For technical drawings and 3-D models, click on a part number.
| No. of Circuits Controlled | Switch Starting Position | Switch Action | Industry Designation | Switching Current @ Voltage | Max. Voltage | Operating Temp. Range, °F | Actuator Ht., mm | Wire Connection Type | No. of Wire Leads | Cable Lead Lg., ft. | Housing Ht., mm | Housing Material | Actuator Material | Mounting Thread Size | Each | |
| 1 | 1 On (Normally Closed) | Springs Back (Momentary) | SPST-NC | 50 mA @ 24 V AC, 2 mA @ 15 V DC | 24V AC 15V DC | -4° to 167° | 4 | Wire Leads | 2 | 2.5 | 21 | Nickel-Plated Brass | Ruby | M8 | 0000000 | 0000000 |
Ultra-Precision Limit Switches
These switches actuate with the slightest push for a high degree of accuracy. They’re often used for determining manufacturing tolerances and detecting minute expansions and contractions.
For technical drawings and 3-D models, click on a part number.
| No. of Circuits Controlled | Switch Starting Position | Switch Action | Industry Designation | Switching Current @ Voltage | Max. Voltage | Operating Temp. Range, °F | Actuator Ht., mm | Wire Connection Type | No. of Wire Leads | Cable Lead Lg., ft. | Housing Ht., mm | Housing Material | Actuator Material | Mounting Thread Size | Environmental Rating | Each | |
| 1 | 1 On (Normally Closed) | Springs Back (Momentary) | SPST-NC | 50 mA @ 24 V AC, 2 mA @ 15 V DC | 24V AC 15V DC | -4° to 167° | 11.5 | Wire Leads | 2 | 2 1/2 | 10 | Nickel-Plated Brass | Zirconium Ceramic | M8 | IP50 | 0000000 | 0000000 |
Panel-Mount Sealed Wet-Location Limit Switches
Sealed actuators prevent these switches from jamming, even when exposed to oil, sand, mud, or ice. They send a signal to your circuit when an object hits the actuator—for instance, a box on a conveyor runs into the switch, stopping the conveyor. They open and close circuits as fast as snap-acting switches, but they have a bigger actuator for large objects. To actuate, they require a push, similar to a button. Rated IP68, they’re protected against dust and temporary submersion.
Switches with a stainless steel housing stand up better to wear and tear and corrosion better than switches with a zinc-plated steel housing.
Wire Leads | ||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| No. of Circuits Controlled | Switch Starting Position | Switch Action | Industry Designation | Switching Current @ Voltage | Max. Voltage | Operating Temp. Range, °F | Actuator Ht. | Wire Connection Type | No. of | Lg. | Housing Ht. | Mounting Thread Size | Each | |
Zinc-Plated Steel Housing | ||||||||||||||
| 1 | 1 On (Normally Closed) | Springs Back (Momentary) | SPST-NC | 5 A @ 28 V DC | 28V DC | -50° to 205° | 0.13" | Wire Leads | 2 | 24" | 1.2" | 9/16"-18 | 0000000 | 0000000 |
Stainless Steel Housing | ||||||||||||||
| 1 | 1 On (Normally Closed) | Springs Back (Momentary) | SPST-NC | 5 A @ 28 V DC | 28V DC | -50° to 205° | 0.16" | Wire Leads | 2 | 24" | 1.5" | 5/8"-18 | 00000000 | 000000 |
Snap-Action Thermostats
Also known as snap discs, these thermostats switch on cooling systems or switch off heating systems when equipment gets too hot. Each thermostat has five temperature options for switch activation; choose the one that best suits your application.
Unlike heat-actuated switches, these thermostats reset automatically, saving you the effort of replacing a melted fusible link. To calculate their reset temperature, subtract their differential temperature from the temperature you set them at. For example, a thermostat set at 100° F with a 20° F differential will reset at 80° F.
Normally closed thermostats are also known as high-limit thermostats—they turn off at a set temperature. They’re often used with electric water heaters, stoves, and furnaces.
Overall | Mounting | ||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temperature Setting | Temperature Differential | Switch Type | Switch Starting Position | Voltage | Current | Wire Connection Type | Terminal Size | Face Dia. | Ht. | Wd. | Dp. | Hole Dia. (No. of) | Fasteners Included | Each | |
Open at Temperature Setting | |||||||||||||||
| 135° F, 145° F, 155° F, 165° F, 175° F | 20° F | SPST | 1 On (Normally Closed) | 120V AC/240V AC | 25A | Quick-Disconnect Terminals | 1/4" | 3/4" | 1 3/4" | 2" | 1 3/8" | 3/16" (2) | No | 0000000 | 000000 |
| 135° F, 145° F, 155° F, 165° F, 175° F | 40° F | SPST | 1 On (Normally Closed) | 120V AC/240V AC | 25A | Quick-Disconnect Terminals | 1/4" | 3/4" | 1 3/4" | 2" | 1 3/8" | 3/16" (2) | No | 0000000 | 00000 |
| 175° F, 185° F, 195° F, 205° F, 215° F | 40° F | SPST | 1 On (Normally Closed) | 120V AC/240V AC | 25A | Quick-Disconnect Terminals | 1/4" | 3/4" | 1 3/4" | 2" | 1 3/8" | 3/16" (2) | No | 0000000 | 00000 |
| 210° F, 220° F, 230° F, 240° F, 250° F | 40° F | SPST | 1 On (Normally Closed) | 120V AC/240V AC | 25A | Quick-Disconnect Terminals | 1/4" | 3/4" | 1 3/4" | 2" | 1 3/8" | 3/16" (2) | No | 0000000 | 00000 |
| 250° F, 260° F, 270° F, 280° F, 290° F | 40° F | SPST | 1 On (Normally Closed) | 120V AC/240V AC | 25A | Quick-Disconnect Terminals | 1/4" | 3/4" | 1 3/4" | 2" | 1 3/8" | 3/16" (2) | No | 0000000 | 00000 |