Wiring microswitch issues...

[Oister]

Hey all, I'm slowly working through my first arcade build. I've got all the led working, and I have the ground chained together.

I was about to start wiring the buttons themselvesutbut I noticed there is no "normally open" on my microswitch. I have the "COM 1", "NC 2" and an "NC 3". This is worrying me because I have read everywhere online that I'm supposed to be hooking up to a "normally open" terminal, and I don't seem to have one to attach to.

The brand is sanstar, and the button is blue and black. I'm hoping this makes sense to one of you without a photo, but I can find one if need be. I ordered a kit to eliminate some guesswork and this is my first real problem so far.

Thanks and have a great day.

[Thenasty]

i looked at this
http://arcadejapan.co.uk/image/cache/data/Products/switches/sanstarswitch-500x500.png

and if this is your button, take a look at the diagram sketch into the switch.

notice the COM is connected to the first, so it means that NC. So you need to use the other one (one in the middle along with the com, that's NO)

or take out your voltmeter and check continuity.

[Oister]

Awesome, thank you! That is indeed my switch. I assumed it was the middle one (it is on other switches) but since they both said "NC" I was confused. I wasn't aware how it worked inside, your explanation of the diagram drawn there helped me.

I'll post pictures when I hopefully get things together tomorrow. I'm making a pretty portable control board so I'll be sure to post in the appropriate section

[PL1]

Welcome aboard, Oister.   

That is some odd labeling on the microswitch.   

Use an ohmmeter to check for continuity (<2 ohms in ohms mode or a "beep" in continuity mode) between the COM and the other tabs.

Either "NC 2" or "NC 3" will be connected to COM when the button is pressed (the desired NO tab), and the other will be connected when the button isn't. (the unused NC tab)

Like Thenasty said, if the switch is labeled like this, the top tab is probably NC and the middle tab is probably NO -- check it with your meter anyway.



Scott

[Oister]

Checked the meter and you guys were right. I didn't think I had one but I found it laying around haha.

Perfect. Now to make these cables less ugly and buy some supplies at Lowe's