On/Off/On vs. On/On/On

[whitebison66]

Okay, here's my latest odd question. Is there any way to tell the difference between these two types of switches visually? I ask because there are lots of places in Hong Kong to buy electronic components, but I don't really have the vocabulary to ask about them. It's hard to convince a fluent Cantonese friend to go look for mini-switches in the midst of summer in the tropics with me.

Thanks in advance,


Sean

 

[drewfx]

The ones I have are stamped either "on on on" or "on off on" on the side.

 

[Paul-less]

I made a simple "conductivity tester" for testing my soldering joints....

hook up a 9v battery to an LED (resistor may vary). Touch the two ends to the terminals. I'm assuming you know how the innars work.

Maybe this could work for you? It's way to early in the morning (late in the night)? to be giving accurate descriptions of my thoughts...

 

[Cagey]

Okay, here's my latest odd question. Is there any way to tell the difference between these two types of switches visually?

No, not visually. Not even tactically. They're both three-position switches, and so will look/operate the same way. How they operate electrically is questionable. Usually, an on-off-on three-position switch will have its center contacts as common, and when flipped to either side be connected to that side's contacts, with the center position leaving its connections connected to nothing. I can't imagine what on-on-on means. Doesn't make any sense, unless the center position leaves the center contacts connected to both sides of the switch.

 

[Dan025]

Okay, here's my latest odd question. Is there any way to tell the difference between these two types of switches visually?

No, not visually. Not even tactically. They're both three-position switches, and so will look/operate the same way. How they operate electrically is questionable. Usually, an on-off-on three-position switch will have its center contacts as common, and when flipped to either side be connected to that side's contacts, with the center position leaving its connections connected to nothing. I can't imagine what on-on-on means. Doesn't make any sense, unless the center position leaves the center contacts connected to both sides of the switch.

cagey, im surprised you dont know this, with on/on/on, with the switch in the up or down position it is the same as on/off/on. but in the center one pole is in the up position and the other is in the down position. there may be variations but this is common in guitar wiring. but to the op, i know of no way other than testing to determine what's on/on/on and what's on/off/on.

 

[Patrick from Davis]

On/on/on switches are used for the series/single/parallel mini switches.  I am unsure of how to find any exterior markings on them to differentiate them.  I would print out a diagram from a switch company or the picture above and take it with you.  Maybe try to find the switch online first, and get some keywords in Cantonese.
Patrick

 

[pabloman]

I'm not sure how difficult it is to get to the stores or how many switches nyou need but if it's one or two I would probably just buy both and figure it out at home. Then the next time you happen to be there stock up on what you need then. If it's easy to get to the store maybe you could look for mfg. marks and research on line. Or maybe you could type up a message and translate it to cantonese and give it to the shop person or maybe you could order them online from a nice US supplier. How ironic would that be? Good luck. :rock-on:

 

[BigBeard]

I have bought big bags of mini switches from what I would call questionable sources on Ebay....... I ordered On/On/On switches and that was what I got.  The seller specified in the listing that they were black.  Well the housing was black, but the parts of the switch you see are silver.  Not a terribly big deal, and for $15 for 5 switches shipped from Hong Kong or Korea or wherever they came from wasn't a bad deal.  I thing Warmoth wants $12 per switch!!!

I don't think you will be able tell just by looking or flipping the switch though.