what's this type of switch called?

[Rawker]

i'm looking for a switch that moves in 2 directions and auto snaps back to the neutral position if you let go of it after holding it in a specific direction. i would think it looks like this however without the toggle feature but i have no clue what it's called.


what i'm doing (or gonna try to do) is take the digital controls from my computer speakers and wire them to the switch so if i hold it up the volume turns up and if i hold it down the volume turns down.

does anyone know what the name of the type of switch is that i'm looking for?

[Rawker]

http://www.radioshack.com/product.asp?catalog%5Fname=CTLG&product%5Fid=275-709

i think i found it, does anyone know what DPDT stands for?

[Minwah]

If I understand correctly I think you do require a toggle switch, an 'ON-OFF-ON' type with spring loaded centering.  I'm pretty sure I have seen spring loaded 'ON-OFF' toggles, not sure about this type.

Not quite as nice but if you can't find one maybe just go for two small pushbuttons.

[JoyMonkey]

Theres a DPDT explanation here:
http://www.trains.com/community/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=14351

The DPDT stands for "Double Pole/Double Throw" which indicates that the switch will control two different circuit simultaneously on one single move of the actuating arm(DP) and also has two positions for both circuits(DT)....

etc. etc.

[Rawker]

ok so the difference between DPDT and SPST is that SPST is a toggle switch whereas DPDT is a throw switch with a snap back to center or off?

if that's correct then i think the DPDT is what i'm looking for because it'll allow me to adjust the volume easier.

[JoyMonkey]

ok so the difference between DPDT and SPST is that SPST is a toggle switch whereas DPDT is a throw switch with a snap back to center or off?

if that's correct then i think the DPDT is what i'm looking for because it'll allow me to adjust the volume easier.

Yep, as far as I can tell that's what it's all about. The DPDT is really two switches in one; so you can control Volume Up and Volume Down.

[MinerAl]

Go to Radio Shack (if you're in the US and have one handy) and dig around in their switch drawers.

They should have what you're looking for.

Otherwise there are probably similar drawers at other electronics and or hardware stores.  There might even be one in the auto parts stores and Whatever-Marts' automotive aisles.

I like to buy switches in person so I can feel the action before I buy them.

[Ken Layton]

It's called a "center off" switch and can be in either 'momentary' or 'maintained' styles. Any time you see a switch description like ON-OFF-ON that means the switch is on (constant a.k.a. maintained) in the direction the toggle is flipped. The toggle stays in that condition until you flip it the other way. If you see a description with (ON)-OFF-(ON) that means the switch is a momentary type and it will instantly return to the center off position when you let go of the toggle.

[MonitorGuru]

SPST = Single Pole Single Throw. 2 connections
SPDT = Single Pole Double Throw. 3 connections
DPST = Double Pole Single Throw. 4 connections
DPDT = Double Pole Double Throw. 6 connections

Momentary: Only activated WHEN pressed in one direction.
Non-Momentary: Activated and stays activated after pressing in one direction.


In real life:
SPST is like an ordinary light switch or game button. Either it's on or off.  A light switch is a SPST non-momentary, a game button is SPST momentary.  One wire in, 1 wire out.

SPDT  (momentary) is like a switch connected to a industrial garage door. Press it down and the door goes down, release and it stops and resets to center, press it up and the door goes up, release and it stops and resets to center.   Don't have an example for SPDT non-momentary. 1 wire in, 2 wires out.   (This looks like your picture.. I think I only see 3, not 6 connectors)

DPST is like many game back door cutoff switches (ignore the fact that it can be momentary or non-momentary for the moment depending if pressed or pulled).  For safety, both the hot AND neutral wires are disconnected from the rest of the system when it is in the off position which protects against bad wiring in the cabinet.   2 wires in, 2 wires out. Think of a DPST the same as 2 SPST switches side by side and their toggles glued together. and move together.

DPDT has 2 wires in, 4 wires out.   Think of a DPDT the same as 2 SPDT switches side by side and their toggles glued together and move together.


Hope that helps.

[Ken Layton]

Good description.