How does a spring limit switch work?

Limit switches are devices we often encounter in our daily lives, whether it's at home or in various workplaces. They play a crucial role in the operation of many systems.

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Different Types of Limit Switches

Limit switches can be categorized into four main types:

• Whisker
• Roller
• Lever
• Plunger

In specific applications, two types can even be combined, such as a roller-lever configuration.

What Exactly is a Limit Switch?

A limit switch serves as an electromechanical device that operates through a physical force exerted by an object. They are mainly utilized to identify the presence or absence of an item. The function of defining an object's traveling limits ultimately led to their designation as Limit Switch.

Applications of Limit Switches

Consider opening your refrigerator door: the light inside activates due to a limit switch that confirms the door's status. Similarly, at many garages, a limit switch halts a door's motion once it fully opens.

Operating Mechanism of Limit Switches

Now that we've explored some practical uses of limit switches, let's delve deeper into how these devices function.

Limit switches are electromechanical structures featuring an actuator linked to an electrical switch. When an object interacts with the actuator, it either completes or breaks the electrical connection, enabling or disabling the current flow.

Limit Switch Configurations

Various types of limit switches are available with different configurations: Normally Open (NO), Normally Closed (NC), or a combination of both.

Limit Switch Symbols

Limit switches may appear differently based on the electrical schematic source. The International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) and the National Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA) utilize distinct symbols.

Understanding Microswitches

Let’s examine a microswitch, which embodies a specific type of limit switch. It integrates two limit switches that share a common terminal; one operates in a normally open state while the other remains normally closed. This configuration is technically recognized as Single Pole Double Throw, or SPDT.

A dashed line indicates both switches operate simultaneously due to interconnection.

Example of a Microswitch Circuit

Consider hooking the microswitch up to a lamp circuit. When inactive, the Red lamp shines since no object triggers the actuator. Upon activation, the object prompts the Green lamp to illuminate.

Limit Switches in Action

Having reviewed how limit switches work, you might consider various applications in your surroundings. For instance, they can be triggered by containers on assembly lines or moving machine parts.

Countless scenarios exist where limit switches help track passing items or determine the location of hydraulic cylinders.

Limit Switch vs. Proximity Sensor

While limit switches are gradually being replaced by proximity sensors in many settings, they remain in demand due to their durability and reliable performance, even in harsh environments. Limit switches typically tolerate higher current levels compared to their proximity counterparts.

Explore More in Our Other Articles:

What is a Sensor? Different Types of Sensors, Applications

Summary of Limit Switches

To recap:

• There are four primary types of limit switches: whisker, roller, lever, and plunger.
• Limit switches function as electromechanical devices responding to physical forces.
• They are structured with an actuator linked to an electrical switch.
• Various configurations exist, including Normally Open, Normally Closed, or both.
• Limit switches might differ in depiction depending on the electrical schematics used, and proximity sensors are becoming more prominent in some applications.

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By The RealPars Team

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