Glossary of Terms
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- Self-cleaning action. See Wiping Contact.Self-cleaning action. See Wiping Contact.
- Shorting Contacts:Make-before-break. Referred to rotaries and slides.
- Shroud:A wall or housing that surrounds a switch, button or toggle to protect the switch from accidental operation.
- Single Break:A switch mechanism with one fixed terminal and one moving terminal that interrupts the flow of electricity at only one place. Please refer to the ITW Switches Characteristics/Circuits for more detail.
- Single Throw:A switch configuration using a common and only one other contact.
- Sliding Contact:Contacts that make or interrupt current flow by means of tangential motion (rotary, slip ring).
- Slow Make-Slow Break:Purposely designed switch mechanism (“see–saw” type) with relatively slow operation to provide a slight time delay, permitting the ac wave to go through its zero-energy level (natural current zero duration is 8.35 msec).
- Snap Action:The abrupt opening or closing of contacts from one position to another. Snap-action switches operate relatively independent of the speed of the button or actuator.
- SPDT (Single Pole Double Throw) Switch Configuration:A single circuit or switch with one common terminal that is capable of switching electricity between two other terminals or circuits. Please refer to the ITW Switches Characteristics/Circuits for more detail.
- Splashproof:A seal rating for a switch that will withstand high humidity and limited exposure to water or liquid spray.
- Spring Return:See Momentary.
- SPST (Single Pole Single Throw) Switch Configuration:A single circuit or switch with one common terminal that is only capable of switching between one other terminal for on/off operation of the circuit. Please refer to the ITW Switches Characteristics/Circuits for more detail.
- Storage Temperature:The range of temperature within which the device may be stored. Typically, this is a wider range than operating temperature.
- Sub-subminiature:A switch that is smaller than 12.5mm (½ inch) long
- Subminiature:A switch that is smaller than 25mm (1 inch) long.