Switchs

A switch is a device that can open or close an electrical circuit or direct data traffic in a network. The term covers a range of devices that provide controlled connectivity, from simple mechanical levers to sophisticated networking gear. In everyday use, switches enable user input, power control, and signal routing.

Electrical switches come in many forms, such as toggle, pushbutton, slide, and rocker actuators. They typically have two or more terminals and operate by making or breaking a circuit. Switch contacts may be normally open or normally closed, and devices can be momentary (spring-loaded) or latching (stays in the on or off state until released). Common contact configurations include SPST, SPDT, and DPDT. Ratings specify voltage, current, and environmental conditions.

In computing and communications, a network switch is a device that connects multiple devices and forwards data packets between them. Most switches operate at the data link layer and use MAC addresses to learn and forward frames, reducing collisions with hubs. Modern switches may be unmanaged (plug-and-play) or managed (configurable), support features such as VLANs, quality of service, link aggregation, and Power over Ethernet, and range from small office to data-center scale. Switches can be Layer 2 only or provide Layer 3 routing capabilities.

Safety and standards: Switches must be installed within their electrical ratings and local wiring codes. In networking, compliance with standards like Ethernet and PoE specifications ensures interoperability.