Explain the working of a basic electrical push button.
1 Answer
A basic electrical push button, also known as a momentary switch or tactile switch, is a simple device used to complete or break an electrical circuit temporarily when pressure is applied to its button. It is commonly used in various electronic and electrical applications, such as controlling lights, appliances, or initiating functions in electronic devices.
The working of a basic electrical push button can be described in the following steps:
Construction: The push button typically consists of a button or actuator made of plastic or metal that protrudes from the switch housing. Inside the housing, there are electrical contacts that make or break the circuit when the button is pressed or released.
Contact Configuration: A basic push button usually contains two sets of contacts: Normally Open (NO) and Normally Closed (NC). In the resting or unpressed state, the NO contacts are open, and the NC contacts are closed.
Normally Open (NO): When the button is not pressed, there is no electrical connection between the two NO contact terminals.
Normally Closed (NC): When the button is not pressed, there is an electrical connection between the two NC contact terminals.
Spring Mechanism: Inside the push button, there is a spring mechanism that provides resistance against the actuator, pushing it back to its original position after being released. This spring mechanism ensures that the button returns to its default state after being pressed.
Pressing the Button: When you press the button, the actuator moves downwards, overcoming the spring resistance, and comes into contact with the switch's internal components.
Switching States: The pressing action causes the NO contacts to close and the NC contacts to open, effectively changing the switch's state.
Normally Open (NO): When the button is pressed, the two NO contact terminals make a connection, completing the electrical circuit.
Normally Closed (NC): When the button is pressed, the two NC contact terminals break the electrical connection they had when the button was at rest.
Electrical Circuit: Once the button is pressed and the contacts change state, it allows the flow of electric current through the connected circuit.
Release the Button: When you release the button, the spring mechanism pushes the actuator back to its original position, and the contacts return to their initial states.
Normally Open (NO): When the button is released, the NO contacts open, breaking the electrical circuit.
Normally Closed (NC): When the button is released, the NC contacts close, completing the electrical circuit.
In summary, the basic electrical push button is designed to make or break an electrical circuit temporarily when pressure is applied to its button. It offers a momentary action, meaning the switch remains in the changed state only as long as the button is held down. As soon as you release the button, the switch returns to its original state.
The working of a basic electrical push button can be described in the following steps:
Construction: The push button typically consists of a button or actuator made of plastic or metal that protrudes from the switch housing. Inside the housing, there are electrical contacts that make or break the circuit when the button is pressed or released.
Contact Configuration: A basic push button usually contains two sets of contacts: Normally Open (NO) and Normally Closed (NC). In the resting or unpressed state, the NO contacts are open, and the NC contacts are closed.
Normally Open (NO): When the button is not pressed, there is no electrical connection between the two NO contact terminals.
Normally Closed (NC): When the button is not pressed, there is an electrical connection between the two NC contact terminals.
Spring Mechanism: Inside the push button, there is a spring mechanism that provides resistance against the actuator, pushing it back to its original position after being released. This spring mechanism ensures that the button returns to its default state after being pressed.
Pressing the Button: When you press the button, the actuator moves downwards, overcoming the spring resistance, and comes into contact with the switch's internal components.
Switching States: The pressing action causes the NO contacts to close and the NC contacts to open, effectively changing the switch's state.
Normally Open (NO): When the button is pressed, the two NO contact terminals make a connection, completing the electrical circuit.
Normally Closed (NC): When the button is pressed, the two NC contact terminals break the electrical connection they had when the button was at rest.
Electrical Circuit: Once the button is pressed and the contacts change state, it allows the flow of electric current through the connected circuit.
Release the Button: When you release the button, the spring mechanism pushes the actuator back to its original position, and the contacts return to their initial states.
Normally Open (NO): When the button is released, the NO contacts open, breaking the electrical circuit.
Normally Closed (NC): When the button is released, the NC contacts close, completing the electrical circuit.
In summary, the basic electrical push button is designed to make or break an electrical circuit temporarily when pressure is applied to its button. It offers a momentary action, meaning the switch remains in the changed state only as long as the button is held down. As soon as you release the button, the switch returns to its original state.