What are Micro-Switches, and What Makes them So Great?

What is the one thing that all modern appliances have in common? Be it their safety features, position sensing, control panels, appliance door locks, or pressure sensing, everything needs implementation of this handy component. Have you ever wondered how the refrigerator light turns on the moment you open its door and turns off when closed? Imagine for a second your microwave operating without the closed door. Or a washing machine running even if the lid is slightly open. How unsafe would that be? All such features are only possible with the extensive use of microswitches. Unlike the traditional switches, they work in a very different manner. In this article, we will be discussing microswitches in detail, for example, their working, and their diverse application areas.

1. What are Microswitches?

Contrary to how it sounds, a microswitch is not a switch that is very small in size. Such small-sized contact makers exist, but those are just regular switches. A microswitch is a particular type of switch that requires very little actuation force to operate. Since they are easy to operate, manufacturers use them in various sensors and control equipment.

Microswitches, also referred to as miniature snap-action switches, consist of spring-loaded levers with two positions: namely on and off. The neutral configuration is when the switch is not subjected to any external force. When the user exerts pressure, it causes the contacts inside the microswitch to meet, starting the circuit. In this regard, microswitches are more like toggle buttons in nature.   

2. Different types of Microswitches

At present various types of microswitches are available in the market, catering to the diverse needs of the modern world.

Mechanical Microswitch

These microswitches activate and deactivate with the help of a small mechanical force such as a spring, plunger, roller pin, flexible rod, etc. We will be discussing some of them below:

- Hinge Roller Lever: This switch activates via a roller generally connected to a hinged lever. Which works to make sure that the connectors operate with ease and precision during high-speed operations such as camera operation.

- Pin Plunger: The plunger operation is always suited for short strokes direct in nature. The same is the case with this switch. It can detect high-precision positions very quickly and activate or deactivate according to them.

- Leaf Spring Switch: These switches come with a leaf spring, which is responsible for actuating them when required. The powerful spring is vital for applications like cylinder drives and low-speed cams.

Optical Microswitch

Optical microswitches operate via a beam of light. These devices operate primarily on the principles of light and employ coupling technology to activate and deactivate by utilizing light-emitting and light-receiving components. If a hindrance blocks the optical path, the optocoupler starts, which changes the electrical circuit impedance. So, the breaker closes, registering a click. In this way, the electricity-light-electricity cycle controls the switching with ease. Moreover, many medical and industrial applications, such as MRI imaging, use them too, since it is magnetically invisible to the imaging process and is inherently safe in explosive atmospheres too.

3. Why are Microswitches so great?

Advantages of Microswitches

- Precise and Accurate: Microswitches have revolutionized today's modern world. One of their key benefits is that they provide a highly accurate performance compared to other types of switches. Its versatility and adaptability to various use cases also make it an outstanding option, as it is highly resistant to external factors such as water and dust, and offers a prolonged lifespan when compared to its traditional counterparts.

- Reduced Arcing Damage: Moreover, switching operations involve arcing damage due to frequent operations, which is a common problem. Microswitches win the battle as they can significantly reduce arcing damage by arcing fast switching speeds. So, with microswitches by your side, you don’t need to worry about delays or interruptions, no matter how frequently you turn your devices on or off.

- Reliable Switching: The use of microswitches reduces the occurrence of false or delayed signals responsible for unwanted malfunctions or unavailability of equipment since it has a very reliable switching mechanism. That is why they are highly suited for high-frequency operations or automation.

4. Applications of Microswitches

Microswitches play a vital role in the working of our everyday life appliances. They are everywhere but perhaps hidden from your sight. Operation of automatic sliding doors, refrigerator light turning on and off, automated robotic projects, or 3D printer all use microswitches in one way or another. In industrial applications such as conveyor belts, microswitches detect the presence of an object on the conveyor belt. Similarly, they can also cause equipment malfunction and trigger an automatic safety shutdown if required.

5. Examples of Microswitches in Daily Life

Many diverse areas of our lives rely on the reliable and accurate functioning of microswitches. Some of them are:

Microswitch in Computer Mouse

A typical computer mouse has to perform two primary functions, namely moving and clicking. The microswitch is commonly used in modern mice like the MEETION wireless gaming mouse BTM011 to register the click operation. This switch has mechanical and electrical functionality, so when you press the button, the microswitch activates to report it. Since clicking is repetitive and frequent, microswitches provide a highly reliable, precise, and accurate performance.

Microswitches in Automotive Systems

One of the primary uses of microswitches is in the automatic transmission system of a car. When you change the shift lever from ‘Parking’ to ‘Drive,’ it is the microswitch behind that triggers itself and sends a signal to the controller to engage the driving gear. Moreover, they also prevent accidental shifting of gears, thus making the automatic transmission a safe feature. Similarly, when you press the brake, a microswitch is triggered and sends the signal to the controller to turn on the brake lights.

Microswitches in Appliances

You must have used a vending machine to get your favorite snacks and drinks. Have you ever wondered how they detect jammed trays or the number of coins you enter? Well, it's the micro-switches that, when triggered, make possible such vending operations.

6. Conclusion

We can see how microswitches are shaping to be the gateway for a modern automated world filled with intelligent appliances. It is ultimately raising the quality of human life and making it easy and comfortable. Long service life, compact size, diverse application variants, and adaptability to different environments are significant benefits of using these microswitches. Such is the revolutionary impact of microswitches that modern intelligent appliances may not be possible if microswitches are not there.