What’s A Toggle Switch?
A Toggle Switch is a type of electrical switch that is actuated by moving a lever back and forth to open or close an electrical circuit.
Toggle Switch
There are two basic types:
- Maintained contact: changes its position when actuated and will remain in that position until actuated again, such as an ON/OFF function.
- Momentary: it is actuated only when someone is operating the switch.
There are a wide range of such switches with several mounting options and with different actuator styles and amperage ranging from 3 to 20 amps, as well as different load-carrying capabilities and locking combinations. Further, the switches are with and without guards to prevent accidental switching as well as individual switches and complete switch assemblies with additional sealed housings. Because of its ease of operation, the switch is used in various applications, including military/aerospace, commercial, plant and industrial engineering, instrumentation, and medical equipment.
Manufacturers
There are many famous toggle switch manufacturers, and their products can be easily found on component distributor (like Digi-key, Mouser) websites and their own official websites.
- NKK Switches
- C & K Switches
- E-Switch
- Carling Technologies
- Honeywell
- Apem
- TE Connectivity
- Mountain Switch
- Eaton
- Littelfuse
- Panasonic
Only very a few are PCB surface-mount types, most of toggle switches are thru-hole soldering type in printed circuit board assembly.