Question

What is the role of a switch in an electric circuit?

Answer 1

Hint: An electrical switch is any device used to interrupt the flow of electrons in a circuit. Switches are crucial binary devices. These switches are either completely on (“closed”) or completely off (“open”). There are many different types of switches available in the market, and here we will learn some of these types in this question.

Complete step-by-step solution:
The electrical switch is an important device in the electrical industry that is used to break or make an electrical circuit manually or automatically. The working principle of the switch depends on the ON/ OFF technique.
If a switch is open, no current flows through that path (i.e. it is off). If the switch is closed, then the circuit will complete which is allowed to current flow (the path is on).

Of course, switches come in more configurations than these simple off/on types.
Some of the configurations are:
Single Pole Switch: The single-pole switch is the general-purpose switch. It is used to control various lights or other devices from a single location. A very important feature of a single-pole toggle switch is that it has on and off markings on the toggle.
Double pole switch: This type of switch is commonly used in industrial applications but can be found in some home wiring systems. Like the single-pole switch, a double-pole switch has on/off markings, and also it will be able to control a device or equipment from one location. Double-pole switches are generally rated for 30 amps, compared to 15 or 20 amps with standard Double-pole switches. This allows the switches to control power feeding higher-demand appliances such as motors and machinery.
Toggle switch: A toggle switch is pushed up or down by a mechanical handle, lever, or rocking mechanism. These are commonly used as light control switches. These are available in various sizes, styles and also have different ratings, and are used for different types of applications. The ON condition can be any of their level positions, however, by convention, the downward is the closed or ON position.

Note: So the switches are part of a control system and without it, control operation cannot be achieved. Any switch mainly performs two functions, namely fully ON (by closing its contacts) or fully OFF (by opening its contacts). When the two contacts of a switch are closed, the switch creates the closed path which allows it to continuously flow, and therefore, load consumes the power from the source.