horn sounds and as soon as the button is released the

Switches sound stops.

Automotive Electrical circuits are almost always

controlled by a switch of some sort. Switches does two Actuator
things, they allow current into a circuit and direct the
flow of current within the circuit. Switches comes in a From Spring
wide variety of configuration and some looks pretty source
complicated, but they all perform one or both of the
above functions. Switches can be actuated by many To load
different means, E.G the trafficator on a vehicle are
actuated manually by an individual, the oil pressure
switch on the engine is actuated by oil pressure. SPST. (Normally open)
Electromagnetism can also closes the contacts on a
switch. Repair personnel may hear at times other repair
men referring to switches as sensors, by understanding
the role and how switches are constructed we can better Single Pole double throw (SPDT) - the single pole double
identify and categorize them. throw switch has three terminals, one inlet and two
outlets, one goes to the battery and the others goes to
Switches configuration the circuits or loads. Either load can be connected to the
battery depending on the position of the switch. The
high beam switch is a single pole double throw switch.
Single pole Single throw Switch- the single pole single
Some single pole double throw switches are known as
throw switch (SPST) is the simplest design. The throws
centre off switches, because they have three positions,
refer to the number of circuits completed by the switch.
ON: OFF: ON. They control one load in each of the on
The (SPST) has only two positions, ON and OFF, it either
positions, and break both circuits when the control
completes or breaks a circuit. The reverse light switch on
actuator is in between.
the gear box is a typical example. Shift the gear into
reverse and the reverse lights come on, return the gear
to neutral or forward gear and the lights go out.
Power from
headlight switch Actuator

Actuator
From power To load
Source
Pivot
Contacts
SPST
The momentary contact switch is another type of SPST.
A spring loaded contact on this switch keeps it from
completing or breaking the contacts depending if it’s a
NORMALLY CLOSE or NORMALLY OPEN design. By
applying a force on the actuator the circuit is either
opened or closed, a spring keeps the switch on its
normal position. The horn switch is a good example of a
normally open design, when the button is pressed, the
To low
beam
To high
beam
SPDT
Double Pole Single Throw- the double pole single throw
has only two positions, ON: OFF. But unlike the single
pole single throw switch, it has two independent poles
each connected to its own circuit. Each pole has two
terminals, think of the DPST as two SPST switches in one
housing with one common actuator. The DPST can
operate two separate loads at the same time.
Headlights – running lights switches are sometimes a
DPST design.
 FROM
POWER

Actuator
From power
source
To
load OFF

LOW MEDIUM HIGH

DPST
SPMT

Double Pole Double Throw- the double pole double

throw switch has two independent poles, each with two
on positions. Think of the DPDT switch as two SPDT
switches in one housing operated by one control
actuator. The DPDT switch has six terminals, three for
each pole.
Actuator
Multiple Pole Multiple Throw- Switches can be design
with a large number of poles and throws, for instance
one type of neutral start switch allows you to only start
vehicles with automatic transmissions only in park or
neutral and it has two poles and six throws. It is referred
to as a MPMT switch. It has two movable wipers that
move in union across two sets of terminals. When you
see a dotted line between the wipers on the MPMT
symbol it indicates that the wipers are mechanically
linked.

From ignition switch

From power From ignition
starting terminal
source To switch run terminal
Various
Loads

P
R 1
N D 2
DPDT

Single Pole Multiple Throw- Single pole throw switches

SPMT allows you to select various settings for a device, To starter
such as a heater fan. This type of a switch is usually To back up lamp
relay
wired to a series or resistors that control the current
being fed to the device. Basic settings are OFF, LOW
MEDIUM and HIGH. MPMT
All switches do basically the same job. The difference is  Push button switches- are momentary switches
the way they are operated, below are the major types of which are moved in only one direction to open
switches. or close a circuit. Used for simple jobs such as
 Ignition key- these switches must have a key sounding a horn or a buzzer.
inserted into them before they can be operated.
Used for starting switches, because of safety
and to avoid theft of the machine.

 Toggle switches-are simple ON-OFF flip
switches. Used to control small auxiliary circuits.
They are also known as centre OFF switches
when they have a SPDT or DPDT configuration.
Servicing of switches
If a switch is defective always replace it with a
new switch. Some switches can be repair, but it
is advisable to replace the unit.
NB. Always be sure to replace a defective switch
with a switch of the same electrical rating. A
switch with lower rating will burn out.

 Push –pull switches- are usually ON-OFF

switches. Used for two- way control as of a
simple lighting circuit.

 Cut- out switches –are used to break an electric

circuit during emergencies. May be actuated
manually or automatically.

 Multiple contact / combination switches- may

use a knob, a key or a lever which is turned to
various positions to make or break contact with
different circuits. Used for complex circuits such
as combination lighting.

 Twist switches- give the same ON-OFF control

as push pull switches, except that they give a
rotary action. Used for two way or two speed
control of simple circuits such as windshield
wipers.

 Pressure switches- are operated by an outside

force from oil. Water, air or gas. Usually they
are spring type units which open or close a
circuit in response to pressure. Often these units
are used for oil pressure lamps, etc.