In the widest sense, a limit switch is an electromechanical device that senses the presence or absence of another physical object, like moving machine parts or a closed door.

Perhaps one of the best ways to understand limit switches at a high level is through real world applications.

1. They can be used to detect when a car or garage door is open or closed.
2. Alerts you when a door of a vehicle is not fully closed (safety interlock Limit Switch)
3. Detect when a mechanical device passes the limit of its travel. The switch then trips arresting the motion and preventing the device from doing any damage.
4. Detecting the absence or presence of an operator.
5. Detect that a computer printer head is in the right position for printing.
6. To identify maximum limits for machine parts or provide a known reference point for incremental motions, it is being used by CNC machines in manufacturing.

What to Consider When Designing or specifying a Limit Switch?

To understand performance capability in your application and to select from the many types of switches available, designers must know the primary variables that affect limit switch performance.

Electrical Rating – This is the key parameter that affects all other performance characteristics including electromechanical endurance and performance at temperature limits.

Duty Cycle – As you trade off durability with operation, extreme requirements here will dramatically affect the lifetime of your switch.

Contact Actuation –Limit switches are used in standard circuit options such as normally open/closed, and SPST or SPDT. Maintained or momentary switches contact is another key factor in the design and may influence performance at low temperatures

Actuator Style – The actuator can be a simple as a straight metal lever, or a roller or ball type. Angles can be varied to create customized travel distances which affect the lifetime and performance characteristics of the switch. They can be designed to offer tactile feedback when humans operate them manually.

Mounting and Packaging – As limit switches are made with a wide variety of mounting options, they can be placed in common and uncommon ways. They can be manufactured entirely waterproof for deployment under exceedingly wet or even underwater operation.

About CPI

CPI has designed and assembled robust electromechanical limit switches for over 60 years in its facility in East Hanover New Jersey. If you have a question about a custom application for one of our switches, we encourage you to call us today or click http://www.cpi-nj.com