What are the effects of the size of the tap switch on its performance?

Release time:

2023-05-30

The size of the tap switch is directly related to its characteristics, including current range, travel and operating force. For example, the smallest light touch switch available today is 0.50 "x0.236" x0.197 "(LxWxH). Although this tiny switch is suitable for use in compact circuit breakers to detect circuit status, it is usually only capable of breaking 0.1 to 3 amps (A) of current and has a shorter travel.

Applications requiring larger currents usually require larger switches. For example, in fuel tank applications, tap switches used to detect liquid levels need to be able to provide large strokes and withstand large currents. Usually in the application of the level switch, the switch must directly drive the pump and carry a large current. This requires a large touch switch rated at 20A or 25A at 125VAC or 250VAC voltages.

Tip: The smaller the size of the small touch switch, the smaller its travel and can break the current.

In addition, the size of the small touch switch also affects the operating force. Ideally, engineers need a switch with low operating force and high current capacity. But in fact there is a trade-off between these two parameters. To maintain good contact while providing a wide range of current, the switch requires a stronger spring, which increases the operating force and size of the switch. Operating forces can range from 2 g in supercharged pneumatic applications to 8 oz in solenoid valve applications requiring greater operating force. The largest type of switch on the market is 1.94 "x0.69" x1.3 "(LxWxH).

Engineers should also be aware of the differential travel of the switch - the distance between the switch's trip position and its reset position. The threshold will vary depending on the application. For example, in temperature switch applications, the on/off operating points should be as close as possible, with differential travel as low as 0.0001 inch. However, in the application of liquid level pump, too close differential stroke may lead to too frequent start and stop of the refill pump, shortening the service life of the pump.

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