Toggle switches are a type of electric switch that gets activated by the use of a rocking mechanism or even a lever. Some people also refer to them as joystick switches, and they come in a variety of sizes and styles. Like any other electrical switch, toggle switches work on the principle of opening and closing circuits to allow live current to flow, thereby turning devices on and off.

The most convenient way to categorize different types of toggle switches is to group them according to certain determining factors such as their contact types, function, sizes, and so on.

Herein is everything you need to know and the different types of these switches available today.

ON-OFF Toggle Switches

Also referred to as the Positive ON-OFF switch, the ON-OFF toggle switch is the most common toggle switch out there and gives us a simple binary way of turning devices ON or OFF.  Most of them are designed to produce an audible click sound when switched from one position to the other.

ON-ON Toggle Switches

These are also known as changeover switches, as they control two devices at the same time. With each position, the switch will turn on a different process or device. There’s a variation to this type of switch known as the ON-(ON) Switch, which combines the standard ON position with a second spring-loaded ON position that will revert to the standard position unless it is held firmly in position.

ON-OFF-ON Toggle Switches

These are a variant of the ON-ON Toggle Switch that incorporates a third, neutral OFF state in the middle of the switch. In this instance, the OFF position will be the default state, from which you can immediately switch into either one of the two ON positions. As soon as you release the ON positions, the switch will immediately revert to the neutral position on its own.

Toggle Switch with Cover

These are toggle switches that come with covering caps that are designed to serve a variety of purposes. They are fit to offer protection to the internal lever mechanisms and prevent the possibility of the switch being flipped by accident when the cover is in place. This is a particularly useful safety measure when switches controlling sensitive or dangerous devices, applications, and systems are concerned. You’ll find these switches used extensively in industrial settings such as nuclear plants.

Flat Toggle Switch

On most toggles, the paddle will be rounded, like a miniature baseball bat, but flat toggle switches are different in that the paddles will be flattened out. The most common reason to use these paddles is to make it immediately clear whether the switch is activated by pushing it on a horizontal or vertical axis.

This is a useful feature when placing the switches on walls or on the sides of machines, where the direction might not be immediately discernible.

LED Toggle Switch

LED Switches vary from other types of switches in the fact that they have Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs) attached to them that either light up or go off when the switch is turned to one position or another. The LEDs will usually be located at the tip of the toggle’s paddle.

Mini Toggle Switch

Microswitches or snap-action switches come with sensitive toggles with built-in springs that are sensitive to very small amounts of force. Once the current flows through the spring, it will be activated and snapped into place.

These types of switches are designed for use in industrial and domestic devices that utilize very little current, usually as sensors. Common uses include hatches or doors that need to be in open or closed positions before a current is passed through the systems attached to them.

Final Thoughts

Toggle Switch buttons are important components in our daily lives which we can find in a variety of settings such as industrial controls (power supplies, joysticks, grips), military applications (weapons controls, communications), instrumentation (controllers, shut-off switches), medical equipment, construction equipment, metal detectors, test equipment, marine control panels, elevator controls, food processing equipment, etc.

Before you select a toggle switch supplier, you need to know the type of switch you need and the most ideal supplier to place your order with. APIELE has decades of experience supplying all types of switches to customers across the Northern Pacific, Asia, North America, and beyond. For all your toggle switch and related needs, make APIELE your first choice. You won’t regret it!