getting there

[747sim]

oh and bumper switches too please, the extended number of contacts on the switch confuse me

[dnoize]

have you checked the phidgets manual ?

there is a very clear diagram in there.

Stef

[747sim]

i will thank you, now where did I put it

[747sim]

i checked all my manuals and there was not even a mention of them, I am so confused, thank god I'm not building a Boeing

[dnoize]

http://www.phidgets.com/documentation/Phidgets/1018.pdf

really usefull.....manuals...

page 16

not sure what you mean with a bumper switch. other than in robotics.

Do you mean a pushbutton.

basically earlier in this thread peope allready explained how to wire a switch.

Stef

[747sim]

I specifically meant toggle switches as seen here http://www.modelrailwaywizard.com.au...3%20SWT118.jpg and rocker switches http://www.globalspec.com/NpaPics/20...tPic_thumb.JPG the added contacts have me confused because the toggles have 3 and the rockers have 6 and I dont understand where each connection goes

[Bob Reed]

I specifically meant toggle switches as seen here http://www.modelrailwaywizard.com.au...3%20SWT118.jpg and rocker switches http://www.globalspec.com/NpaPics/20...tPic_thumb.JPG the added contacts have me confused because the toggles have 3 and the rockers have 6 and I dont understand where each connection goes

All you need to do to tell how to wire up the switch is use a multimeter and find out (by moving the switch) what connectors to use. When the switch is on, and you go across 2 of the connectors, you will get continuity and when the switch is off, you will not.

[JBaymore]

I specifically meant toggle switches as seen here http://www.modelrailwaywizard.com.au...3%20SWT118.jpg and rocker switches http://www.globalspec.com/NpaPics/20...tPic_thumb.JPG the added contacts have me confused because the toggles have 3 and the rockers have 6 and I dont understand where each connection goes

There are single pole, single throw switches, double pole single throw switches, single pole double throw stitches, double pole double throw switches...and many other varieties.

A multimeter is THE tool you need right now before you go much further.

With that tool you will learn a LOT about what you are tackling. You don;t need an expensive one....even the most basic one will tell you what you need to know.

Single pole single throw will have only two contacts. When the switch is "on" the one connection will get "shorted" to the other connection. Most basic switch there is. Can be a toggle type (latching) or a momentary type (only on when button is pressed).

Single pole double throw will have THREE contacts. The center one is the "common" of the three. When the toggle is in one position, the center contact will be connected to one of the other two. In the other position it will connect to the other contact. It is also possible that such a switch can have a "center off" position.... where the center contact is not connected to ANY connection.

Double pole just means that the above "logic" gets repeated for ANOTHER set of contacts. Triple pole means that there are THREE separate distinct sets of contacts. And so on. In each of these double, triple, etc. cases, a different circuit can be controlled simulatneously by the switch.

Hope that helps.

best,

...............john

PS: Note that for some applications the switch may ALSO have a separate ground lug....... not common but possible.

[dnoize]

as bob and others before in this thread told you, you really need a multi-meter with a continuity tester. you can find these for as little as 10 dollars.

the number of connectors on your switch depends on the number of positions (on-off, on-off-on, on-on-on, etc) and if it is single or double pole.

if you have a on-off-on switch you usually have 3 connectors. usually then the center one is the ground and the other outer 2 are being triggered by putting the switch in one of the on positions.

if you have 2 rows of 3 pins (so 6 total) its probably a double pole. Basically 2 switches in one.
often this is a normally closed (nc) and a normally open (no) circuit. the first opening the circuit when switching to a on position and the second closing a circuit when switching to a on position.

the 2 rows can also be clones, both switching the same way, offering a more fail safe method of wiring.

the more positions...the more connectors...the more combinations.

therefore a continuity tester comes in handy.

here is a site with some useful basic knowledge about switches:
http://www.kpsec.freeuk.com/components/switch.htm

i suggest you first study some basic electronics about wiring switches, led's etc before you start a complicated project.

good luck.

Stef

[747sim]

wow that is really helpful. I just thought there was a standard way of doing it and I thought there were maybe diagrams for it, I will get to reading then what a hassle a 40 cent switch can be