Southern Luzon State University

COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING
ECE Department

SWITCH
Activity No. 1

Submitted by: Rating:

Member:
ALFUERTO, Joel M.
CONDES, Mary Rose
MACALE, Chester
UMALI, Armida Brin S.
ECE - V

Engr. Renante D. Abuyan

Instructor
 SWITCHES
Activity No.1

OBJECTIVES

1. To know how to use ohmmeter for checking the condition of a switch.

2. To learn how to use the voltmeter for testing and measuring the voltage across
the switch terminals.

BRIEF INTRODUCTION

In electronics, a switch is an electrical component that can break an electrical

circuit, interrupting the current or diverting it from one conductor to another.[1][2] The
most familiar form of switch is a manually operated electromechanical device with one
or more sets of electrical contacts. Each set of contacts can be in one of two states:
either 'closed' meaning the contacts are touching and electricity can flow between them,
or 'open', meaning the contacts are separated and non-conducting.

Figure 1 Sample switch

A switch may be directly manipulated by a human as a control signal to a system,

such as a computer keyboard button, or to control power flow in a circuit, such as a light
switch. Automatically-operated switches can be used to control the motions of
machines, for example, to indicate that a garage door has reached its full open position
or that a machine tool is in a position to accept another work piece. Switches may be
operated by process variables such as pressure, temperature, flow, current, voltage,
and force, acting as sensors in a process and used to automatically control a system.
For example, a thermostat is an automatically-operated switch used to control a heating
process. A switch that is operated by another electrical circuit is called a relay. Large
switches may be remotely operated by a motor drive mechanism. Some switches are
used to isolate electric power from a system, providing a visible point of isolation that
can be pad-locked if necessary to prevent accidental operation of a machine during
maintenance, or to prevent electric shock.

Figure 2 Symbol for SPST switch

Switch is a manually operated device capable of making, breaking or changing

the connections in an electronics or electrical circuit. A switch connected in series with
one of the connecting wires of a simple circuit affords a means of controlling the current
in the circuit. Usually, switches are used to open or close a circuit.

MATERIALS REQUIRED

 Equipment: VOM or equivalent; Power supply

 Switch: Assorted types (good or defective)

PROCEDURES

NOTE: To check the switch with an ohmmeter, turn the power “off” or remove the
switch from the circuit.

A. OHMMETER TEST:
1. Set the VOM at R x 1. Set the pointer exactly at zero by shooting the test
leads together and adjusting the Zero-Ohm control.
2. Simply connect the test leads to the switch terminals. Write the result in figure
A as per instruction.

B. VOLTMETER TEST:
1. Again, set the VOM at 50v ac range. (NOTE: Be certain that no terminals are
short- circuited.)
2. Insert the power plug of the power supply to the ac line outlet.
3. POWER ON: Carefully touch or connect the test leads to the switch terminals.
Write the result to figure B.
4. Repeat the procedure Nos. 1 to 5 for the other switch. Fill up the needed
information or data.
DATA RESULTS

A. Checking a switch with an ohmmeter

OHMMETER TEST

RANGE RX1
CLOSED
0
“on”
OPEN

“off”
CONDITION Good

TYPE SPST

B. Checking a switch with a voltmeter

VOLTMETER TEST

RANGE 50VAC
CLOSED
0V
“on”
OPEN
50V
“off”
CONDITION Good

TYPE SPST

C. Checking a switch with an ohmmeter

OHMMETER TEST

RANGE RX1
a. 0
CLOSED
b. 0
“on”
c. 0
d. 0
CONDITION Good

TYPE DPST
D. Checking a switch with a voltmeter

VOLTMETER TEST

RANGE 50VAC
CLOSED a. 0V
“on” b. 0V
OPEN c. 0V
“off” d. 0V
CONDITION Good

TYPE DPST

E. Checking a switch with an ohmmeter

OHMMETER TEST

RANGE RX1
CLOSED a. 0
“on” b. 0
OPEN a. 
“off” b. 
CONDITION Good
Main
TYPE
switch

G. Checking a switch with a voltmeter

VOLTMETER TEST

RANGE 250v (AC)

CLOSED a. 0
“on” b. 0
OPEN a. 
“off” b. 
CONDITION Good
Main
TYPE
switch
CONCLUSIONS

In view of this activity, the following are concluded by the group:

 When checking the switch with an ammeter we always unplug the entire unit
from the source, while by using a DC or AC voltmeter a switch must be with the
power “on” in the circuit.
 A good switch has a zero resistance when it is on the “on” position.
 The resistance of a switch is high or infinite, and no current flows when it is on
the “off” position.
 A good switch has a zero voltage across its two terminals, simply because there
is no voltage drop, when it is on the “on” position.
 The voltage drop across the terminals is equal to the voltage source if the switch
is on the “off” position.
 Last, and most importantly in order to determine if the switch is defective one
good way is to substitute a good one or simply connect a jumper wire on both
terminals termporarily.

TEST REVIEW EXERCISES

1. Usually, the switch is electrically connected in series with the voltage source and
its load.
2. When the switch is on, the electrons find an uninterrupted path in the circuit.
3. The troubles arising in the switch fall into two main categories, electrical and
mechanical.
4. When the switch is open or defective, the resistance is high or infinite, and no
current will flow in the circuit.
5. Open is the off position of the switch, while closed is the on position.

QUESTIONS

1. How much is the resistance reading of a good switch?

Ans: zero resistance
2. How many connections are required for a double- pole, double- throw switch?
Ans:
3. How much is the voltage (IR) drop across a closed (good) switch?
ASSIGNMENT

1. 3-way switch
J1 1 S1 3 J2
4
5 2

Key = Space Key = Space

Key = Space

V1 6

120 V
60 Hz
0Deg X1

5V_1W
-using 2 SPDT (J1 & J2) and a DPDT (S1)

2. Jeepney passenger’s alarm system

J1

Key =J2
Space

Key =J3
Space

Key = Space
J4

Key = Space
1 J5 2

Key = Space
V1
12 V U1

SONALERT
200 Hz

-using five push-button switch (J1-J5)