Drehswitches

Drehswitches, also known as rotary switches, are electrical switches that operate by rotating a shaft or knob to select one of several positions. Each position corresponds to a different electrical circuit or function. They are commonly used for selecting modes, channels, or functions in electronic devices.

The fundamental principle of a drehswitch involves a movable contact that sweeps across a series of fixed contacts. As the shaft is turned, the movable contact connects to different fixed contacts, thereby changing the electrical path and activating a specific circuit. The number of positions a drehswitch has determines the number of functions or circuits it can control.

Drehswitches can be designed for various applications, including power selection, function control, and instrumentation. They are often found in audio equipment, industrial machinery, power supplies, and test equipment. The construction typically involves a central rotating shaft, a detent mechanism to hold the switch in each position, and a set of fixed contacts.

There are different types of drehswitches, including single-pole, single-throw (SPST), single-pole, double-throw (SPDT), and multi-pole configurations. The number of poles determines how many independent circuits can be switched simultaneously. The number of throws indicates how many output connections each pole has.

Advantages of drehswitches include their tactile feedback, clear indication of the selected setting, and ability to control multiple circuits with a single actuator. They are generally robust and reliable components. However, their physical size can be larger compared to some other switching mechanisms, and the number of positions is limited by the physical space available.