Buttons vs Switches: How They Control a Circuit

Automatically transcribed from the original recording. Small transcription errors may remain.

When it comes to controlling electrical circuits, buttons and switches are two of the simplest and most fundamental components. They might look similar, but they each have their own unique role to play. Let's start with a basic understanding, a button. So in electronics, it's a simple device that allows you to complete a circuit by making contact with two points. This is known as closing the circuit. When the circuit is closed, electricity can flow and something happens. Maybe the elevator starts moving or maybe the TV changes channels. You get the idea. Now let's talk about how buttons physically make this happen.

So most buttons have two parts. A conductive metal dome that makes contact with the circuit board when pressed, and a rubber pad that provides some give when you press down. Now when you press down on the button, the metal dome pushes down onto the circuit board, completing the circuit and allowing electricity to flow. When you release the button, the metal dome pops back up, breaking the circuit and stopping the flow of electricity. So how does this differ from a switch? Well, a switch is similar to a button in that it can complete or break a circuit. But unlike a button, a switch

stays in one position until you physically move it to the other. Think of the light switch in your living room or kitchen. When you flip the switch, you complete the circuit and the light turns on. When you flip it back, the circuit is broken and the lights turn off. So in electronics, Switches come in many different forms and sizes. There's a simple on off switch, the toggle switch, the rocker switch, and many more. But no matter what type of switch it is, the basic principle remains the same. They allow you to control the flow of electricity in the circuit.

It's really amazing what a little button can do.