Electromechanical Switches

Whenever a switching mechanism relies on a mechanical action to change the direction or orientation of path continuity within its terminal base, it is referred to as an electromechanical switch. These switches can often be hampered by a short cycle life due to the inherent wear and tear associated with mechanical operation, but there are many switches that still can maintain a significant amount of cycles before signal and mechanical degradation.

There are a huge array of electromechanical switches on the market. Rotary switches are found on old TVs and radios, and any other device with a switch that ‘clicks’ from location to location along a circular path. Rocker switches are also incredibly common, especially in a simple on-off configuration. Many power supplies include them as an alternate means of clamping off power without the need to unplug the device. They are also very common in automotive areas since they usually have a high cycle life and can be made to be very durable. Toggle switches act like rocker switches, but usually rely on a lever instead of a button for the switching actuator. It’s intended to provide an easier accessibility to the unit and can be switched with a simple up-down motion rather than a pushing motion. Common household light switches are toggle switches.