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Main => Main Forum => Topic started by: ArcadeFX on December 09, 2002, 04:04:24 pm

Title: Microswitch Positve Connections - Why 2?
Post by: ArcadeFX on December 09, 2002, 04:04:24 pm
What is the difference between the two + connections on the Cherry microswitch?
Title: Re:Microswitch Positve Connections - Why 2?
Post by: Warborg on December 09, 2002, 04:13:33 pm
Quote from: ArcadeFX on December 09, 2002, 04:04:24 pm
What is the difference between the two + connections on the Cherry microswitch?

One is for "normally open" operation, the other is for "normally closed" operation.  I.E., depending on how it is wired, you can trigger that circuit by either pressing the button, or interrupt that circuit by pressing the button.

Title: Re:Microswitch Positve Connections - Why 2?
Post by: ArcadeFX on December 09, 2002, 04:23:32 pm
Would this have anything to do why I can drag a window or icon with my trackball buttons? I am not using a mouse hack.  
Title: Re:Microswitch Positve Connections - Why 2?
Post by: Warborg on December 09, 2002, 04:25:12 pm
Quote from: ArcadeFX on December 09, 2002, 04:23:32 pm
Would this have anything to do why I can drag a window or icon with my trackball buttons? I am not using a mouse hack.  

Do you have the leads hooked to the COM and NO connections?
Title: Re:Microswitch Positve Connections - Why 2?
Post by: ArcadeFX on December 09, 2002, 04:51:51 pm
All buttons are on Com.
Title: Re:Microswitch Positve Connections - Why 2?
Post by: Thenasty on December 09, 2002, 08:31:18 pm
Quote from: ArcadeFX on December 09, 2002, 04:51:51 pm
All buttons are on Com.


What about the other end ? You have to have the COM (COMMON) wire (ground) connected and then have a wire in each NO on the microswitch. Just like the way you hook up your BUTTONS.
Title: Re:Microswitch Positve Connections - Why 2?
Post by: MameFan on December 10, 2002, 01:26:47 pm
A cherry microswitch is technically a single pole, double throw (momentary) switch. (SPDT)

A crude diagram is shown here:

 .------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------<
 v                                                                                                                  |
 + <-------------  (anode)   RED LED  (cathode) <--------                                  |
---                                                                                |                               |
 Bat                                                                             |                                 |
---                                                    (NC)----------------|                                 |
 -   --------------> (COM) Microswitch                                                               |
                                                        (NO)------> (cathode) Green LED (anode)


This diagram shows a power source (battery) connected to a cherry microswitch and 2 LED's.

If you don't press the microswitch, the RED LED will light (and the green one will not). If you press it, the GREEN one will light and the RED one will go out.

The common of the microswitch is connected to the negative of the battery, while the
NC (Normally Closed) part goes to the RED LED, and the NO (Normally Open) part goes to the GREEN LED. Both LED's are connected on their other ends to the positive terminal on the battery, thus completing the circuit.


NO means that terminal is NOT connected to the common one UNLESS you press it.
NC means that terminal IS connected to the common one UNTIL you press it.