Selector Switches
Selector switches are available in a variety of styles including illuminated, non-illuminated, and non-illuminated key operated. Styles offered range from maintained or spring return, incandescent or LED, and 3-50 amps. Work with a selector switch specialist to determine the best product for your application.

This product overview focuses mainly on the construction and functionality of Non-Illuminated Selector Switches. The Non-Illuminated Selector Switch is represented in both the Selector Switch Diagram as well as the Selector Switch Video Overview.

What is a Selector Switch?
Selector Switch works on a general principle; they contain a simple selector switch on the front of the panel, and a broad range of potential contact combinations (via the contact blocks), on the inside of the enclosure. The major difference between the selector switch and the pushbutton is that, while a pushbutton has a plate that pushes down both contact plungers at the same time, a selector switch has a rotating cam with ridges and flats, allowing to actuate the plungers independently.

Selector switches are available in 2, 3, or 4-position versions, and are often used when more than one control option is needed. In general, the center position of the selector switch is the starting cam position. Left position presses the left plunger in the selector switch. Turning the selector switch to the right presses down the right plunger.
How Selector Switches Work
Selector switches use cams in combination with contact blocks to provide a wide range of circuit openings and/or closings. In the following diagram, "X" designates a closed circuit (energized or "on") for a particular selector switch position, and "O" to designate an open circuit (not energized or "off").

In the figures below, a 3-position selector switch is used to open or close two circuits, "hand" and "auto", for a pump application. It works in the following manner (reflects a left, center and right selector switch positions). Operation of a Momentary Pushbutton

Indicating lights are part of selector switches. Setting a selector switch is how we tell machines how to operate. Indicating lights tell us what the machine is do or failing to do. When a light is connected to a machine process, and the light is on, the machine shows that it's working.

Selector switches are used when more than one control option is needed (e.g. Hand-Off-Auto). These switches are preferred when a maintained contact is needed.
Contact Blocks
Contact blocks are an integral part of selector switches. The contact block can have normally open (NO) and/or normally closed (NC) configurations. Single circuits contain a contact block of either one normally open or one normally closed circuit. For applications that need only one contact, a single circuit is an efficient, inexpensive way to get the job done. Dual circuits offer two contacts in a single contact block. The combinations include:
  • 1 normally open and 1 normally closed contact
  • 2 normally open contacts
  • 2 normally closed contacts
  • Combinations with special delayed opening or early closing contacts
Dual circuit contact blocks save space in enclosures and add twice the functionality to a switch because one switch operates two circuits. You can add multiple contact blocks to increase functionality. For example, you can mount 4 dual circuit blocks to a 30mm pushbutton for a total of 8 circuits.
Selector Switch Video Overview