Everything You Need To Know To Find The Best Limit Switch Supplier

A limit switch is a highly robust device that uses the contact of a moving part to activate the switch actuator which triggers the electrical contacts, allowing the circuit to be turned on or off for a specific control purpose.

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Limit switches are simple cost effective devices with highly predictable and consistent performance. They can switch high inductive loads and are not affected by electromagnetic noise. Understanding and selecting appropriate limit switches will improve the overall efficiency and logic of the control system.

Here are some key points for choosing limit switches:

The Switch body

The material of the limit switch body varies depending on the environment it is being used in and the frequency of use. For commercial applications and low frequency use, the body is typically a type of plastic. For industrial applications and high frequency use, aluminium is the go to spec. For extremely harsh environments, stainless steel may be the best option.

The Switch Actuator

Different actuators are selected according to the shape and movement direction of the detection target. Common types of actuators include roller plunger, top plunger, roller lever, adjustable roller lever, simulated roller lever, adjustable rod, fork lever, coil spring, and more.

Electrical Requirements

Select the limit switch according to the rated voltage and current of the control circuit. Most limit switches are rated to 250Vac switching 5 Amps. Heavier switching capacities of 15 Amps are possible.

Contact Blocks

According to different needs, contact block options are typically single pole normally open and normally closed with double pole possibilities also available. Most limit switches are fitted with both a normally open and normally closed contact block.

Ingress Protection (IP rating)

Choose the ingress protection based on the installation environment: Environmental considerations such as ambient temperature, vibration and shock resistance, and protection class should also be taken into account when selecting a limit switch. Open type limit switches are typically rated to IP40 with enclosed types rated to IP65. IP67 limit switches available, typically supplied with a factory installed lead. You can learn more about IP ratings clicking here

Operating Frequency

Calculate the operating frequency, normally measured in activations per minute. If this operating frequency is exceeded, the limit switch may malfunction or be damaged.

Operating Force

Determine the force required for triggering the switch. Heavier duty switches will have operating forces in the hundreds of grams. Whereas small micro-switches will have operating forces in the low tens of grams only. Using a microswitch in a heavy duty environment will destroy the microswitch.

Service Life

The service life may be divided into machinery working life and electrical working life. The typical mechanical service life of limit switches is 10 million operations with the electrical service life being around 500,000 operations.

Switches Plus carry an extensive range of limit and micro switches. You can see our range below

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Our Limit Switches are manufactured in Taiwan by Moujen.

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I am using an Arduino UNO R3 with a 4 wheeled robot in my project. I have searched several robotics vendors sites for a limit switches to use as bump sensors. I am not having much luck narrowing down my search though as I have never used these sensors before. I will need to purchase dozens of these parts as it is for a course I am teaching. As a result cost is a factor. I would like to keep the price of each unit below $1.50.

Can anyone recommend (or not recommend) any specific products which they may have experience with?

Come on back

sparkfun.com has some limit switches (called bumpers I think - found them in a robot kit) - yes $5.- but that is a fancy little board - but a couple of bolts and pieces of wire - sort of a DIY thing if you wanted the students to build their own (if you make them your time would be worth more) - I would expect that Parallax (they use a different processor but a strong support teachers thing) would have a similar switch / bumper

You might also try another post to the effect "Instructor new to Arduino & robots" and ask for help for links to instructor materials - I would be surprised if there are not some teachers here

One problem that leads to short answers are the people that show up with not much experience and have slept through their class and expect the forum members to design their Senior Project for them complete with 400 lines of code in two days for their due date - they tend to draw short rude answers - so best to keep your questions not looking like one of your dozy students

Good luck with your class, as someone that teaches other classes the first time developing (or following) a new class can be a bit rough - even if the presentation was all done for you

This article sheds some light on why a switch's AC and DC ratings differ.

The ebay ad for the switches mentioned is silent on the dc rating, and so too (judging from the photos) are the switches themselves, so how does one know what's safe in that case?

What would happen if there was a fire and the insurers said "so what was the switch's dc rating?" and the switch wasn't marked for dc?

Thank you to all who have provided a great deal of information in these recent posts. I think I can move forward on this now. The idea of having the students go a little deeper into the project by trying to build these seems interesting as well.

I have ordered a few different options so I can test them out myself. I did try to figure this out myself first but I have no formal training at all in electronics so I would rather defer to the expertise here if I am unsure. I regularly post answers on a stack exchange subforum where I can actually provide some help. In those posts I try to always assume positive intentions and respond as almost all of you have to this question. This is exactly the same attitude I take with my students.

Thanks again for the advice. If I have other questions on this topic which I cannot answer myself I will ask.

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