Electronics

(SSC Grade 10)

Quarter 2 (Week 3 & 4) - Module 2:
Switches
Electronics – Special Science Class Grade 10
Alternative Delivery Mode
Quarter 2 – Module 2: Switches
First Edition, 2021

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Electronics (SSC Grade 10)
Quarter 2 – Module 2 (Week 3 & 4):
Switches
Prepared by:

MELISSA B. GAGUJAS, MAEd

Master Teacher I-JGMNHS

Consultants:

LEONILYN M. COROÑA, EdD

Head Teacher III-JGMNHS

JULIE G. DE GUZMAN, EdD

Education Program Supervisor, Science
The following are some reminders in using this module:
1. Use the module with care. Do not put unnecessary mark/s on any part of the
module. Use a separate sheet of paper in answering the exercises.
2. Don’t forget to answer What I Know before moving on to the other activities
included in the module.
3. Read the instruction carefully before doing each task.
4. Observe honesty and integrity in doing the tasks and checking your answers.
5. Finish the task at hand before proceeding to the next.
6.Return this module to your teacher/facilitator once you are through with it. If
you encounter any difficulty in answering the tasks in this module, do not
hesitate to consult your teacher or facilitator. Always bear in mind that you are
not alone.
We hope that through this material, you will experience meaningful learning and
gain deep understanding of the relevant competencies. You can do it!

What I Need to Know

This module was design and written with you in mind. It is here to help you
master the function and types of switches. The scope of this module permits it to be
used in many different learning situations. The language used recognizes the diverse
vocabulary level of students. The lessons are arranged to follow the standard
sequence of the course.

The module is divided into two lessons, namely:

 Lesson 1 – What are Switches?
 Lesson 2 – Types of Switches

After going through this module, you are expected to:

1. Describe the properties of an appropriate switch to be used in a particular
electrical connection(E10-Q2-W3-LC8)
1. Enumerate the switches used in electrical connections.
2.2. Discuss the differences among the functions of switches’ types.

What I Know

Direction. Write the letter of your answer on a separate sheet of paper.

1. What is the purpose of a switch in an electronic circuit? A switch
A. provides a path for electrons.
B. interrupts the flow of electrons in a circuit.
C. converts electrical energy into other forms.
D. provides an electromotive force that causes electrons to flow.
2. A switch is essentially a binary device. This means that
A. it operates at either 0V or 5V voltage source.
B. it is either completely on or completely off.
C. it has two forms: mechanical and digital.
D. it has a positive and negative terminal.

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3.In what way/s switches can be classified?
A. According to the number of poles and throws
B. According to the style of actuation
C. Both A and B
D. None of the above.
4.Which part of a switch is responsible for making or breaking the electrical
connection?
A. contacts B. button C. insulation cover D. lever
5. What is the switch contact designation if a switch is open when unactuated?
A. normally-open C. open-contact
B. normally-closed D. close-contact
6.What does the pole in a switch indicate? The pole in a switch indicates the
number of
A. circuits that it can control for a single operation.
B. pressing attempts to achieve normally-open.
C. pressing attempts to achieve normally-close.
D. stationary contact points in the switch.
7. Which is TRUE about a Single-pole Single-throw switch?
A. The switch contains one circuit with NO or NC contacts.
B. The switch contains one circuit with changeover contacts.
C. The switch contains two circuits with NO or NC contact.
D. The switch contains two circuits with changeover contacts.
For items 8-10, refer to the following choices.

A. joystick switch C. selector switch

B. pushbutton switch D. toggle switch
8.Which switch is actuated by a lever angled in one of two or more positions?
9.Which switch is a two-position device actuated with a button that is pressed and
released?
10.Which switch is actuated with a rotary throw or lever of some sort to select one
of two or more positions?

For items 11-12, study the given diagram.

11.Which statement is TRUE about the

switch used in the circuit? It is
A.a rotary switch because the lever will be
turned to connect with either throw.
B.an SPDT switch since there are two
throws to which the lever will connect.
C.an SPST switch since the lever will
connect to just 1 throw.
D.a knife switch because the pole is
connected to a lever.

12. What is the main purpose of the switch?

A. The switch provides two possible paths of current.
B. Using the switch, you can turn on the two bulbs at the same time.
C. Both A and B
D. None among A and B

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For items 13-15, read the given paragraph.
Our phones have switches too. There are the power switch and the switch for
volumes. Pressing the power switch in your cellular phone will turn it on. Pressing
the switch again, your phone turns off. In the case of the -volume switch, long
pressing will just decrease the volume of the sound. In the case of the +volume
switch, a long press will just increase the volume of the sound.

13. The switches in our phone are both

A. mechanical switches. C. SPST switches.
B. electrical switches. D. SPDT switches.
14. The volume switches are likened to a rotary switch because
A. current is controlled. C. resistors are utilized.
B. voltage is controlled. D. capacitors are utilized.
15. The power switch is a
A. sliding switch C. pushbutton switch
B. pressure switch D. membrane switch

Lesson
What are Switches?
1
An electrical switch is any device that interrupts the flow of charges in a
circuit. When the switch is turned on, the circuit is closed. When the switch is turned
off, the circuit is open.

What’s In

Activity 1. Switches at Home

Directions: Search 5 different switches at your home. Take a picture of each switch
and paste it into the box. Provide a 1-sentence description of each switch. Write your
answer on a separate sheet.
Switch Description

What is It

Switches
Switches respond to an external force to mechanically change an electrical
signal. These are used to turn ON or OFF our electrical circuits. There are times a
switch is used in switching operations.

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 Switch contacts are the metallic
conducting components of a switch
that make or break the connection in a
circuit. When the contacts are
touching or closed, the circuit is
closed. Hence, the current is flowing.
When the contacts are not touching or
open, the circuit is open. Hence, no
Figure 1. A Simple Mechanical Switch current is flowing.
(Source: https://www.phidgets.com/docs/
Mechanical_Relay_Primer)

SWITCH OPERATION
Circuit On/Off Operation Circuit Switching Operation
The contacts are separated while the While the switch is not operated, the
switch is not pressed, so the circuit is lamp on circuit L1 is lit. When the
not connected, and the lamp is not lit. switch is pressed, the circuit is switched
When the switch is pressed, the so that the lamp on circuit L2 is lit.
contacts come into contact, closing the
circuit, and lighting the lamp.
A Figure 3. Circuit Switching
Figure 2. Circuit On/Off Operation Operation
(Source: https://components.omron.com/web/ (Source: https://components.omron.com/web/
en/special/switch/basic01-01) en/special/switch/basic01-01)

Contact States
1. Normally closed (NC)- The contact pair is closed (in a conductive state) when it
is in a de-energized state or relaxed state.
2. Normally open (NO)- The contact pair is open (in a non-conductive state) when it
is in a de-energized state or relaxed state.

Figure 4. A pushbutton NO Switch Figure 5. An NC Switch

(Source: https://www.electricalclassroom.com/ (Source: https://www.circuitbasics.com/how-
difference-between-no-and-nc/) to-set-up-buttons-and-switches-on-the-
raspberry-pi/)

The switch in the figure is in the NO/ The switch in the figure is in the
Normally Open contact state because NC/ Normally Closed contact state
the contacts remain open/ not touching because the contacts remain closed/

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 in its relaxed state. When the actuator is touching in its relaxed state. When the
pressed, the contact closes and starts actuator is pressed, the contact is open
conducting. and stops conducting.

What’s More

Activity 2. The Mechanism of a Switch

Direction: Answer the given questions in not more than two sentences.

1.What is the purpose of the switch Figure 6. A Simple Circuit

in the given schematic diagram (Source: https://brainly.in/question/23071154)
(Figure 6)?

2.Does the switch in Figure 6 have a

low resistance or a high resistance
between its terminals? Explain your
answer.

3. What is the “normal” contact Figure 7. Temperature, Pushbutton,

status/state of each switch in the and Pressure Switches
diagram? (Source:
https://www.allaboutcircuits.com/worksheets/
switches/)
4.What is the physical condition
results in each switch if the contacts
are being open?

5.What is the physical condition

results in each switch if the contacts
are being closed?

Lesson
Types of Switches
2
Switches can be classified according to the number of poles and throws
(switch configuration) and according to their style of actuation. Actuation is how the
switch is physically operated.

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 What’s In

A.Switch Configuration According to Number of Poles and

Throws
 Pole- It indicates the number of circuits that one switch can control for one
operation of the switch. It also indicates the number of movable contacts in a
switch.
 Throw- It indicates the number of stationary contact points in the switch.

Figure 8. Types of Switches according to the Number of Poles and

Throws

1. SPST/ Single Pole Single Throw Switch

- There is only 1 path for the current to flow. It can be either in NO or
NC state.
- It is the basic ON and OFF switch with 1 input contact and 1 output
contact.
2. SPDT/ Single Pole Double Throw Switch
 This switch contains one circuit with changeover contacts.
 It has three terminals, 1 is in input contact and the remaining 2 are output
contacts: 2 ON positions and 1 OFF position.
 This switch is used as a changeover to connect the input between two choices
of output.
 The contact which is connected to the input by default is referred to as
normally closed contact.
 The contact which will be connected during ON operation is
normally open contact.
3. DPST/ Double Pole Single Throw Switch
 The switch has 4 terminals: 2 input contacts and 2 output contacts.
 It is likened to 2 separate SPST switches, operating at the same time.
 It has only 1 ON position, but it can actuate the 2 contacts at the same time.
 It is used for controlling two different circuits at a time.
 The contacts of this switch may be either normally open or normally
closed configurations.
4. DPDT/ Double Pole Double Throw Switch (DPDT)
 This switch is a dual ON/OFF switch consisting of 2 ON positions.
 It has 6 terminals: 2 input contacts and 4 output contacts.

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  It behaves like two separate SPDT switches that are operating at the same
time.
 Two input contacts are connected to one set of output contacts in one position
and in another position, input contacts are connected to the other set of
output contacts.

What’s More

Activity 3. Type of Switches (Part 1)

Direction: Complete the given table to differentiate the 4 switch
configurations/ types according to the number of poles and throws. Use a
separate sheet of paper.
Type of Number of Number of Number of Schematic
Switch Terminals Input Output Diagram of
Terminal Terminal a Circuit
Which Uses
this Switch
1. SPST
2. SPDT
3. DPST
4. DPDT

What is It

B. Type of Switch According to Actuation

1. Pushbutton Switch
 It is a momentary contact switch that makes or breaks a connection if
pressure is applied to a button. The button returns to its normal position once
the pressure is removed.
 It consists of stationary and movable contacts, of which stationary contacts
are connected in series with the circuit to be switched while movable contacts
are attached with a push button.
 It can be either an NO pushbutton switch or an NC pushbutton switch.
2. Toggle Switch
 It is manually actuated by a mechanical lever, handle, or rocking mechanism.
 It can have two or more lever positions in the versions of SPST, SPDT, DPST,
and DPDT switch for switching high currents up to 10 A as well as low
currents.
 It is commonly used as a light control switch.
3. Limit Switch
 It is operated by either of these 3 things: (1) presence of an object; (2) absence
of an object; or (3) the motion of a machine.
 It is consisting of a bumper type of arm actuated by an object. When this
bumper arm is actuated, it causes the switch contacts to change position.

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4. Float Switch
 This switch is mainly used for controlling DC and AC motor pumps according
to the liquid or water in a tank or sump.
 In this witch, the float/ floating object moves downward or upward based on
the water level in a tank. The float movement of the rod or chain assembly and
counterweight causes to open or close electrical contacts.
5. Flow Switch
 Its function is to detect the movement of liquid or airflow through a pipe or
duct.
 The air flow switch or a microswitch is constructed by a snap-action. The
switch is attached to a metal arm where a thin plastic or metal piece is
connected.
 When a large amount of air passes through the metal or plastic piece, it causes
the movement of the metal arm and thus operates the contacts of the switch.
 Liquid flow switches have a paddle inserted across the flow of liquid in a pipe.
The force exerted against this paddle by a flowing liquid through the pipe
changes the position of the contacts.
6. Pressure Switch
 This is commonly used in industrial applications to sense the pressure of
hydraulic systems and pneumatic devices.
 In this switch, a pressure detection element operates a set of contacts which
can be either a double pole or single pole contact.
7. Temperature Switch
 It has a heat-sensing element which is most commonly a bimetallic strip
operating on the principle of thermal expansion.
 The bimetallic strips are made of 2 dissimilar metals with different thermal
expansion rates bonded together.
 The switch contacts are operated when the temperature causes the strip to
bend or wrap.
8. Joystick Switch
 This switch is manually actuated and is mainly used in portable control
equipment.
 It has a lever that moves freely in more than one axis of motion.
 Depending on the movement of the lever, one or more switch contacts are
actuated.
 This switch is commonly used in lowering, raising, and triggering movements
to the left and right.
 It is in equipment like building machinery, cable controls, and cranes.
9. Rotary Switch
 This is used in connecting one line to one of many lines like the ones used as
range selectors in electrical metering equipment, channel selectors in
communication devices, and band selectors in multi-band radios.
 It has one or more moving contacts (knob) and more than one stationary
contact.
 Forms: single-pole 12-way, 3-pole 4- way, 2-pole 6- way, 4-pole 3-way

(For a better grasp of the different types of switches, access a video with this link:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r6Z47vax9kw)

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 What’s More

Activity 4. Type of Switches (Part 2)

Direction: Complete the given table to differentiate among the type of
switches according to actuation. Write your answer on a separate paper.
Type of Switch Schematic Diagram Image (Picture or Drawing) Function

What I Have Learned

1. Switches respond to an external force to mechanically change an electrical

signal. These are used to turn ON or OFF our electrical circuits. There are
times a switch is used in switching operations.
2. A switch can be constructed through a mechanism in which you can bring
two conductors into contact in a controlled manner. Typically, the two
conductors are referred to as electrical contacts/ contacts which are made of
electrically conductive material like copper. Passive components do not need
an external power source to function.
3. Switches can be classified according to the number of poles and throws
(switch configuration) and according to their style of actuation. Actuation is
how the switch is physically operated.
4. Pole indicates the number of circuits that one switch can control for one
operation of the switch. It also indicates the number of movable contacts in a
switch.
5. Throw indicates the number of stationary contact points in the switch.
6. There are four types of switches according to the number of poles and throws:
(1)Single Pole Single Throw Switch, (2) Single Pole Double Throw Switch, (3)
Double Pole Single Throw Switch, (4) Double Pole Double Throw Switch.
7. Mechanical switches are those actuated using manual operation. These
include pushbutton switch, joystick switch, toggle switch, pressure switch,
float switch, flow switch, limit switch, temperature switch, and rotary switch.

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 References

Contact Form. (n.d.). Retrieved January 26, 2021, from OMRON Electronic
Components: https://components.omron.com/web/en/contact-form
Switch Definition. (n.d.). Retrieved January 26, 2021, from OMRON Electronic
Components:
https://components.omron.com/web/en/special/switch/basic01-01
Switch Types. (n.d.). Retrieved January 26, 2021, from All About Circuits:
https://www.allaboutcircuits.com/textbook/digital/chpt-4/switch-types/
Switches in Electrical Circuits. (n.d.). Retrieved January 26, 2021, from OMRON
Electronic Components: https://components.omron.com/web/en/pole-
throw
Switches: Basic Electricity. (n.d.). Retrieved January 26, 2021, from All About
Circuits: https://www.allaboutcircuits.com/worksheets/switches/
Types of Switches. (2015, September 26). Retrieved January 26, 2021, from
Electronics Hub: https://www.electronicshub.org/switches/

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