5x5x4.3mm Momentary Tactile 4-Pins Pushbutton Switch (Pack of 10)

One of the most elementary and easy-to-overlook circuit components is the switch. Switches don’t require any fancy equations to evaluate. All they do is select between an open circuit and a short circuit. Simple.

What is a Switch?

A switch is a component that controls the openness or closed-ness of an electric circuit. They allow control over current flow in a circuit without having to manually cut or splice the wires. Switches are critical components in any circuit requiring user interaction or control.

A switch can exist in one of two states: open or closed. In the off state, a switch looks like an open gap in the circuit, preventing current from flowing. In the on state, a switch acts like a piece of perfectly conducting wire, closing the circuit and allowing current to flow through the rest of the system.

Example Circuit:

A circuit diagram with an LED, resistor, and a switch demonstrates that when the switch is closed, current flows, and the LED illuminates. Otherwise, no current flows, and the LED receives no power.

Types of Switches

There are various types of switches, including toggle, rotary, DIP, push-button, rocker, membrane, and more. Each type has unique characteristics, such as the action that flips the switch or the number of circuits it can control. These characteristics define the functionality and use cases of each switch type.

Features

• Breadboard friendly
• 4-Pins
• DIP
• PCB Mount