This Product Selection Guide contains information to help select products in the Rotary Switches category on DigiKey.com
Rotary switches are mechanical devices that make or break a series of electrical connections by the closing or opening electrical contacts as the shaft is rotated by human or mechanical interaction. Rotary switches are selected by the number of positions, number of decks, poles per deck, mounting type, contact circuit configuration, throw angle, actuator type and current and voltage ratings. Some rotary switches include adjustable stops or can rotate continuously.
SelectionCharacteristics
Number of Positions: The number of switch modules contained within a product as sold; the number of switches in an array.
Index Stops: Indicates whether mechanical limits on actuator rotation are fixed, user adjustable, or not present.
Number of Decks: The quantity of modular contact layers combined to form the switch.
Number of Poles per Deck: The number of parallel switch elements (poles) implemented on each modular layer (deck) of the switch.
Circuit per Deck: Indicates the switch configuration (number of poles and throws) implemented on each sub-level (deck) of the switch.
Contact Timing: Indicates whether or not adjacent contacts for a given pole are interconnected briefly as the actuator is moved between positions.
Current Rating (Amps): Typically this represents the maximum current to which a device will meet its given specifications. Exceeding this current may damage the device and/or other system components.
Voltage Rating - AC: Typically this represents the maximum AC voltage rating to which a device will meet its given specifications. Exceeding this voltage rating may damage the device and other system components.
Voltage Rating - DC: Typically this represents the maximum DC voltage rating to which a device will meet its given specifications. Exceeding this voltage rating may damage the device and other system components.
Actuator Type: The specific design or style of the mechanism used to change the switch position.
Actuator Length: The length of the shaft or protrusion that serves as the mechanical interface for adjusting a device setting or value.
Angle of Throw: The amount of actuator rotation between adjacent switch positions.
Contact Material: The material used for switch contacts.
Contact Finish: Identifies the surface finish material present on a device’s electrical contacts.
Mounting Type: Indicates how the device is attached.
Termination Style: Selection of termination style used to connect the device to a system, such as PC pins or wire leads.
Features: These are different capabilities or properties of the device such as IP ratings or no common pin.
IP Ratings
IP (Ingress Protection) ratings such as (IP20, IP65, IP67, etc.) define how likely water and dirt will get into the system. The first number represents dirt and solid contaminants while the second represents water and liquids.
| Solids | Liquids | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Protected against solids larger than 50mm. | Protected against vertically falling drops of water. Limited Ingress permitted. |
| 2 | Protected against solids larger than 12.5mm. | Protected against vertically falling drops of water with the enclosure tilted up to 15 degrees from vertical. Limited ingress permitted. |
| 3 | Protected against solids larger than 2.5mm. | Protected against spraying water up to 60 degrees from vertical. Limited ingress permitted for 3 minutes. |
| 4 | Protected against solids larger than 1mm. | Protected against water splashed from any direction. Limited ingress permitted. |
| 5 | Protected against dust. Limited ingress of dust permitted. | Will not affect operation of equipment 2-8 hours. Protected against jets of water. Limited ingress permitted. |
| 6 | Dust tight. No ingress of dust 2-8 hours. | Protected against powerful jets of water. Limited ingress permitted. |
| 7 | ______________________ | Protected against the effects of immersion in 15cm-1m for 30 minutes. |
| 8 | ______________________ | Continuous immersion in water up to 3m for long periods of time. |
| 9 | ______________________ | Protected against high pressure jets of hot water. (30 seconds) |
| 9K | ______________________ | Protected against high pressure jets of hot water. (2 minutes) |
Depth Behind Panel: The distance between a panel mount bearing surface and the furthest rearward projection of the switch body, excluding electrical contacts.
ProductExamples
| MFR PART # | NR01103ANG13-2C |
|---|---|
| DIGIKEY PART # | 360-3628-ND |
| MANUFACTURER | NKK Switches |
| DESCRIPTION | Rotary Switch 3 Position SP3T 0.4VA (AC/DC) 28 VAC Through Hole |
| DATASHEET | Click Here |
| MFR PART # | MRA112-CB |
|---|---|
| DIGIKEY PART # | 360-3151-ND |
| MANUFACTURER | NKK Switches |
| DESCRIPTION | Rotary Switch 2 ~ 12 Position SP12T 250mA (AC) 125 VAC Panel Mount, Through Hole |
| DATASHEET | Click Here |
| MFR PART # | 75AP36-01-1-08N |
|---|---|
| DIGIKEY PART # | GH7362-ND |
| MANUFACTURER | Grayhill Inc. |
| DESCRIPTION | Rotary Switch 8 Position SP8T 200mA (AC/DC) 115 VAC Through Hole |
| DATASHEET | Click Here |
SchematicSymbol
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MediaLinks
Videos
Understanding and using quadrature encoders
Articles
What You Need to Know About Switches
Switch Tutorial
Product Training Modules
NR01 Submini Process Sealed Rotaries - NKK
Rotary Switches & Mechanical Encoders - Grayhill
Rotary Switch Design - Electroswitch
Blogs
Basics of Switches
TechForum
Why does my rotary switch not have a common pin?
Shorting vs Non Shorting on rotary switches
Rotary Switch Identification