In a mov, the ____ switch is generally used to stop the motor when the valve is closed.

In electrical engineering, a limit switch is a switch operated by the motion of a machine part or the presence of an object. A limit switch can be used for controlling machinery as part of a control system, as a safety interlock, or as a counter enumerating objects passing a point.[1]

Limit switches are used in a variety of applications and environments because of their ruggedness, ease of installation, and reliability of operation. They can determine the presence, passing, positioning, and end of travel of an object. They were first used to define the limit of travel of an object, hence the name "limit switch".

A limit switch with a roller-lever operator; this is installed on a gate on a canal lock, and indicates the position of a gate to a control system.

Standardized limit switches are industrial control components manufactured with a variety of operator types, including lever, roller plunger, and whisker type. Limit switches may be directly mechanically operated by the motion of the operating lever. A reed switch may be used to indicate proximity of a magnet mounted on some moving part. Proximity switches operate by the disturbance of an electromagnetic field, by capacitance, or by sensing a magnetic field.

Rarely, a final operating device such as a lamp or solenoid valve is directly controlled by the contacts of an industrial limit switch, but more typically the limit switch is wired through a control relay, a motor contactor control circuit, or as an input to a programmable logic controller.

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There’s probably not a day that goes by where you don’t use or encounter a limit switch at home, or at your workplace.

There are 4 general types of limit switches:

1. Whisker

2. Roller

3. Lever

4. Plunger

Depending on the application, a limit switch may be a combination of 2 of the general types such as roller-lever.

A limit switch is an electromechanical device operated by a physical force applied to it by an object.

Limit switches are used to detect the presence or absence of an object.

These switches were originally used to define the limit of travel of an object, and as a result, they were named Limit Switch.

When you open the fridge door, a light comes on inside. How does that happen? Yes…. you guessed it! A limit switch is used to detect if the fridge door is open or closed.

Let’s look at another application of a limit switch that you may encounter at home. On many overhead garage doors, there is a limit switch that stops the movement of the door when it reaches its fully opened position.

Alright….now that we’ve looked at a couple of limit switch applications where you might see them in action at home, let’s have a closer look at the device itself.

Limit switches are electromechanical devices consisting of an actuator mechanically linked to an electrical switch.

When an object contacts the actuator, the switch will operate causing an electrical connection to make or break.

Limit switches are available in several switch configurations: Normally Open, Normally Closed, or one of each.

Depending on the origin of the electrical schematic, you may see limit switches drawn in different ways.

The International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) and the National Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA) have slightly different symbols.

Let’s have a look inside a microswitch that is a type of limit switch.

A microswitch has 2 limit switches operating together and sharing a common terminal. One limit switch is normally open and the other is normally closed. 

To be technically correct, the switch configuration is Single Pole Double Throw, or commonly referred to as SPDT.

The dashed line indicates that both switches are mechanically connected and will operate at the same time. 

Alright, let’s connect the microswitch to a lamp circuit. In the inactive state, the Red lamp is on as the device is not being operated by an object pushing on the trigger.

When the Trigger is pushed the device will activate, and the Green lamp will come on.

Now that you’ve seen the limit switch in action you are probably thinking about some of the applications where you have seen them in action.

For example, you might see limit switches operated by a container on an assembly line, or operated by a rotating machine part or by any number of other moving mechanical objects.

Limit switches could be used to count passing objects, or determining the position of a hydraulic cylinder.

Limit switches are slowly starting to disappear from many industrial applications. They are being replaced by proximity sensors.

Unlike a limit switch, a proximity sensor has no mechanical moving parts.

A proximity sensor performs the switching action with electronic switches.

Limit switches will not completely disappear any time soon as they outshine their proximity switch counterpart in their ruggedness and reliable operation in difficult environments.

Generally speaking, limit switches are capable of handling much higher current values than proximity sensors.

OK, let’s review…

– There are 4 general types of limit switches: whisker, roller, lever, and plunger.

– Limit switches are electromechanical devices operated by a physical force applied to it by an object.

– A limit switch is an electromechanical device consisting of an actuator mechanically linked to an electrical switch.

– Limit switches are available in several switch configurations: Normally Open, Normally Closed, or one of each.

– Depending on the origin of the electrical schematic, you may see limit switches drawn in different ways.
– Limit switches are being replaced by proximity sensors in many applications. 

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Automation Engineer