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Cam switches are designed to regulate the current flow in connected circuits and to control devices. The key elements of a cam switch include: a control knob, a switch shaft and an arc chamber with connecting parts (opening or closing current paths). Each current path includes two stationary contacts and the making or breaking of them is performed by a movable jumper. Usually, cam switches offer from 2 to 5 fixed positions, however, versions with more positions to ensure proper control of several circuit functions are also available. Turning the knob makes or breaks the circuit. The switches are designed in such a way that each switch can control few circuits, as we can see, for example, in the case of electric ovens. It is also important to mention a couple of standard applications of such switches.
Emergency switches offer two ON-OFF-type positions which are used to isolate the power supply from a specific area. They are used to switch main/control circuits and ON-OFF devices of motors and other special application circuits. In the past, they were used for e.g. the first computers, when the power supply had to be disconnected promptly in the case of equipment overheating or even ignition.
Motor control switches most often have two switching positions: “Forward/Reverse”, “Star/Delta” or “Two Speed Forward-Reverse”. Moreover, they can also have the same functions as emergency cam switches, because they are designed to be compatible with contactors having a built-in tripping feature in the event of power failure and overload.
Multistep switches (rotary cam switches) connect various circuits to a shared power supply, and thanks to different positions they can transfer power to specific circuits, depending on the position. They are used as e.g. tap-changing switches for transformers/stabilisers.
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