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A rotary switch is a switch operated by rotation. These are often chosen when more than 2 positions are needed, such as a three-speed fan or a CB radio with multiple frequencies of reception or "channels". A rotary switch consists of a spindle or "rotor" that has a contact arm or "spoke" which projects from its surface like a cam.
A rotary switch operates with a twisting motion of the operating handle with at least two positions. One or more positions of the switch may be momentary (biased with a spring), requiring the operator to hold the switch in the position. Other positions may have a detent to hold the position when released.
A right-hand railroad switch with point indicator pointing to right Animated diagram of a right-hand railroad switch. Rail track A divides into two: track B (the straight track) and track C (the diverging track); note that the green line represents direction of travel only, the black lines represent fixed portions of track, and the red lines depict the moving components.
Eight switches offer 256 (2 8) combinations, which is equivalent to one byte. A tri-state type DIP switch can be in one of three positions (+, 0, −) which allows more codes than a binary DIP switch. For example, 8 pole tri-state DIP switches offer 6,561 (3 8) combinations/codes compared to 8 pole binary switches' 256 (2 8) combinations/codes ...
A commutator is a rotary electrical switch in certain types of electric motors and electrical generators that periodically reverses the current direction between the rotor and the external circuit. It consists of a cylinder composed of multiple metal contact segments on the rotating armature of the machine.
Circuit diagram of a 3-way switch and socket. The switch used to control a 3-way lamp is usually a rotary switch or a pull-chain switch. Although it is referred to as a 3-way switch, it has four positions, off, lamp one (low), lamp two (medium), and lamps one and two (high).
Like other typical rotary switches, the single terminal connects to one of the multiple terminals by rotating a contact arm, sometimes called a wiper, to the desired position. Moving from one position to the next is called stepping, hence the name of the mechanism. Using traditional terminology, this is a single-pole, multi-position switch.
The switches are then connected to each other by a pair of wires called "travelers" (or "strappers" in the UK), and the lamp is connected to the common terminal of the second switch, as shown. Using the traveler system, there are four possible permutations of switch positions: two with the light on and two with the light off.