Switched

Switched is the past participle of switch and, when used as an adjective, denotes that something has been changed or activated by means of a switch. In everyday language, phrases like “switched on” and “switched off” describe whether a device is powered, while expressions such as “switched sides” or “switched allegiances” describe a change in position or alignment. The term is also widely used in engineering and computing to describe systems that operate by controlled switching.

Technology and engineering: A switch governs the flow of electricity or signals; systems described as switched incorporate active elements that turn on and off to regulate power or signal. Switched-mode power supplies use high-speed switching of power transistors to convert voltages efficiently. Switched-capacitor circuits implement functions like filters or analog-to-digital conversion by turning capacitors on and off under timing signals. Switched-reluctance motors rely on discrete, sequential switching of windings to produce torque.

Telecommunications and networking: Circuit-switched networks establish a dedicated path between sender and receiver for the duration of a communication; packet-switched networks route data in discrete packets, with switching decisions made at each node. The broader concept of switching in networks refers to directing data frames through switches to their destinations.

Other uses: In biology, regulatory mechanisms may switch gene expression on or off, and the term “switched” can appear in descriptions of such states, though “switch-like” is also common. In software and user interfaces, switches or toggles create a switched state to enable or disable features.

Switched has broad usage across disciplines and remains primarily a descriptor of change initiated by switching actions.