What is this type of switch called? (Search term) - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / beginners

author: zappedy
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: August 22, 2016, 09:16:49 pm
content: I'm looking for this type of toggle switch, if that is what it's called.The one I need actually is a three-way switch but it looks very much like the above except with 4 pairs of pins. Unfortunately I can't take a picture of the one I have because it melted when desoldering...What are these called? I've googled for 4p2t / qpdt toggle switch, but the only results are ones with "solder ears" instead of through-hole pins. Like this:(This is not the type of switch I'm looking for!)Doesn't have to be exactly like the first one pictured, and yes, I've tried the replacement part shops (they're out).The thru-hole pins seem to be .1" apart, and one is offset from the others so the outline is like if it had been 5-pole with one throw pair missing.

author: Macbeth
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 22, 2016, 09:21:13 pm
content: Looks like a PCB mount DPDT switch to meOh, re-read and its something else and you show totally different switches as examples. Surely you can just do a continuity on the switch you have and/or strip it down?

author: singapol
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: August 22, 2016, 09:29:57 pm
content: Try searching for 4 pole 3 way toggle pcb switch or similarly rotary pcb switch.Depends on the current requirements, large current or small signal?

author: edy
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 22, 2016, 09:34:08 pm
content: Do you mean this kind of stuff?http://www.ebay.com.au/cln/janetthebozz/slide-switches-3-or-4-way/123469786010

author: zappedy
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: August 22, 2016, 09:38:03 pm
content: Its not a slide switch unfortunately, those I actually have. Instead the toggle arm slides around some copper thingies on rails inside the plastic. Unfortunately that plastic melted into goo. So it is a bit like a slide switch that is operated by an arm, but there was some kind of curved plastic rail inside with a miniscule metal sphere involved, too, which I believe formed the detents for the arm positions.It seems "pcb" was the term I was lacking, found some on alibaba right away! Thanks!

author: Macbeth
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 22, 2016, 09:48:15 pm
content: Don't forget that unlike a typical on/off toggle switch with the common as the centre pins you can mount them either way. This kind of switch that isn't going to work unless you know it's orientation (pin out).

author: zappedy
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: August 22, 2016, 09:55:11 pm
content: FYI: It seems that these are sometimes called Alco Toggle Slide switches (on eBay). The handle is a tube with a spring in it, pushing down on a metal ball that slides around a curved piece of plastic with detents. This construction would probably be a decent candidate for an open source 3D printable switch; you could use a broken ballpoint pen + a 3D printed adapter thingy to make one. I don't yet have a 3d printer unfortunately.The alibaba links had 1000 pcs minimum order so I'm probably just going to glue something cheaper to to the case and connect it to the board with wires.

author: zappedy
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: August 22, 2016, 10:04:13 pm
content: Found it:http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Rocker-Slide-Switch-On-On-On-DPDT-PCB-Mounting-/252452734643

author: Macbeth
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 22, 2016, 10:07:41 pm
content: Great! It looks like it can't be inserted wrong too!Your first picture triggered me, because it looked just like the paddle switch I managed to snap on my 1980's Grandstand Astro Wars back in the day... Crappy superglue jobs never held upI've never seen one of those switches since.

author: zappedy
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: August 22, 2016, 10:13:30 pm
content: Ok Astro Wars freaks, don't buy more than 99 of those switches, I need 2!You remind me of a similar 70s video game, think it was "sports", like tennis and badmington, everything was a crappy pong clone of course! It also had those switches.

author: Brumby
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: August 23, 2016, 01:07:37 am
content: Glad you found your switch!Just one little observation:Quote from: zappedy on August 22, 2016, 09:16:49 pmThe number of 'poles' is a reference to the number of separatesetsof contacts (number of independent circuits) - not the number of pins. You were looking for a double pole switch, not 4p.The 'throw' is the number of positions where there is a connection being made. Single throw has two positions and only two pins per pole. One position with connection made and one with no connection made. Double throw has three pins per pole and two positions where there is connection made between a common pin and either of the other two. Some variants have an 'off' position - such as a 'centre off' toggle switch - where no connection is made.The one you've found is really a 3 position (triple throw?) switch ... but, hey, doesn't matter what it's called (except for searching). Well done and good luck.