Mechanical switches are one of the most common electrical devices as they allow power to be turned on or off.
Switches are rated for the amount of current and voltage they are suitable for. For switching low power and low currents like using a switch as an input to a microcontroller just about any switch will do. When using a switch to control power from a battery or turn a motor on then care should be taken to ensure the switch is rated to the expected current. For high power uses an electronic solid state switch can be better.
Mechanically switches are varied. Momentary switches are either on or off while you hold them like buttons while others will maintain the state until switched back like toggles or sliders. Like relays, switches can be SPST (single pole single throw), DPDT (double pole double throw) or lots of other variations.
Code: SKU-000256
Your project will probably need an on/off switch. If you plan to house the project in an enclosure, we found this great rocker switch to help you out. RoHS and UL approved. More Details...
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Code: SKU-000908
This little round on/off toggle switch is rated up to 10A at 125VAC and can be panel mounted in a 20mm diameter hole. It’ll also look pretty slick in your project. Documents: Dimensional Drawing More Details...
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Code: SKU-002572
This single-pole, double-throw (SPDT) rocker switch makes a great on/off power switch. It is rated for 10 A at 125 VAC and 6 A at 250 VAC. More Details...
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Code: SKU-002105
This is a single pole, 10 position rotary switch able to select up to 10 different states in a durable package. Unlike our other rotary switch, this model is much more robust and capable of handling larger currents and voltages. More Details...
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Code: SKU-001067
A simple slide potentiometer can go a long way. Rated at 10KOhm and 0.1W. Comes with solder tab connections. The pot has an overall travel of 30mm and has two mounting holes on top. Dimensions: 9.5mm x 45mm Documents: Datasheet (C3031N-1A2-B10K-GP) More Details...
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Code: SKU-005337
Now, you can easily add an HID/controller to your project! The SparkFun Qwiic Joystick combines the convenience of the Qwiic connection system and an analogue joystick that feels reminiscent of the thumbstick from a PlayStation 2 controller and for that reason it's become a favourite of ours. More Details...
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Code: SKU-000010
This SPDT (Single Pole Double Throw) slide switch is rated at 30V/200mA and works great in a breadboard thanks to its 0.1" pin spacing. Useful as a power or control switch in a circuit. More Details...
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Code: SKU-000470
This is a simple SPDT slide switch - great for use as an ON/OFF button, or just as a general control switch. The pins are spaced by 0.1", however they are incredibly thin making breadboard use not recommended. The switch is rated for 0.3A at 50VDC. More Details...
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Code: SEN-10025
This miniature single-pole, double-throw (SPDT) switch can be used as a general-purpose micro switch or as a small tactile bump sensor for your robot. The switch body dimension is 12.8 x 6.0 x 6.5 mm, and the lever arm is 13.5 mm long. More Details...
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Code: SEN-10024
This single-pole, double-throw (SPDT) switch can be used as a general-purpose micro switch or tactile bump sensor for your robot. The switch body dimension is 20.0 x 6.4 x 10.2 mm, and the 15.6mm lever arm has a semicircular bump at the tip that simulates a roller. More Details...
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