What is Toggle Switch?

An electrical switch that activates by a moving lever or a handle forward and backward to open or close an electrical switch is known as a toggle switch. These switches are also called toggle power switches or joystick switches. These switches are versatile devices, so they can be utilized with any electrical application.

Generally, switches are operated manually, so in many electrical circuits, the toggle switch plays a key role like a simple ON/OFF switch. The toggle switch function is to control the flow of current to a device or within a device from the power supply by a lever. The toggle switch symbol is shown below.

The toggle switch working principle is; that once the operator of the switch pushes the toggle, then the armature switches the contact into position to begin or discontinue the flow of electric current. or in simple words, once the toggle is pressed it can switch on or off a device.

Specifications

The specifications of this switch include the following.

Contact resistance (Max) is 10MOhms.

Initial voltage ranges from 2V to 4V dc.

The current supply is 100mA for both gold & silver-plated contacts.

Insulation resistance (Min) is 1,000MOhms.

Dielectric strength is1,000 Vrms at sea level.

The operating temperature ranges from -30 to 85℃.

Construction

The construction of a toggle switch can be done by using different components like a lever, spring, o ring, plunger, moving armature, case, and base.

Lever

The lever is available on top of a switch which is used to control the circuit by turning ON & OFF. Generally, these are made with resin although some are made with metal to enhance strength on larger products.

Spring

The spring in the switch is loaded within the lever. This spring pushes outwards on the lever & it is in contact with the base always.

O-ring

O ring in the switch is a circular shape rubber part that seals the connections between the case, the base & the moving parts.

Plunger

The plunger in a switch is a resin component that is connected to the base of the lever. The design of this can be done to be in contact through the bottom of the base always to limit the range of movement of the lever.

Moving Armature

The moving armature is a U-shaped contact that is fixed to the lever. This contact’s tip moves through the lever, the terminal is situated in between the tips to turn on the condition of the switch mechanism.

Case

The case is used to guard the internal components of the switch and also it gives support to the lever with the

hole on the higher surface.

Base

The base is used with the case to defend the inside components of the switch. The switch terminals stick out from the bottom of the base.

Toggle Switch Circuit Diagram

The circuit diagram of the SPDT toggle switch is shown below. This circuit can be built by using a 6V battery, two resistors R1 & R3, two LEDs D1 & D3, and a 21236N switch.

This switch includes three terminals like one input and two outputs. So, we can get two outputs where the first output is from pin2 (COM) & pin1 and the second output is obtained from COM & pin3. This switch is mainly used in the three-way circuits to control electrical appliances from two locations.

The connections in the above circuit follow as; the pin1 & pin3 are connected to the D1 (LED) & D2 (LED) respectively. Once the pin1 is toggled then D1 LED will be turned ON & D2 LED will be turned OFF. Similarly, when the pin3 is toggled then D2 LED will be turned ON & D1 LED will be turned OFF. As a result, we can control two loads with a single SPDT toggle switch.