Why are they called that?

I've usually seen the term applied to the square or cylindrical surface-mount switches.

the tumbler switch can be found in motor or industrail control panel it will look like a handle outside of the door panel but inside will look like " open " drum switch with large number of concats.

this is very common on older control panels but newer one are controled by plc system but however for some still used the tumbler switch on it currentally. [ not too widespread ]

the last time i did see tumbler switch was in power control panel [ for multi generator units ] it have 12 lead connected to the " drum " switch

hope it help you with this

Merci, Marc

They still use Furnas 58 drum switches on boat hoist motors.

OK, I'm confused.

I just visited Appleton's website and saw what THEY call a "tumbler switch" (an enclosed heavy-duty switch with a metal handle).

What I've commonly seen called a tumbler switch is usually one of these:



or this:



Yeah. I know they misspelled "tumbler".

[This message has been edited by SvenNYC (edited 05-02-2006).]

Because of the need to break contacts fast enough to prevent them wearing from arc damage, 'tumblers' were developed from the original crude knife switches.
The 'tumbler' is a mechanism which on pressing the switch lever places the contacts under an increasing spring load, and is arranged so that when sufficient force exists, at some point in the stroke, the contact set suddenly 'tumbles' rapidly into the closed or open position, reducing arcing. Early mechanisms were clunky and heavily preloaded to ensure a crisp action. Modern switches have been developed in which the forces are much lower due to smaller and lighter moving parts, precision mouldings and superior plastics, but it's the same principle.

Alan

Here's a British tumbler switch, 1940s/early 1950s style (Britmac "Little Briton" rated 250V 5A AC/DC). Note the spring linkage between the operating handle and the contacts below:



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Starting from the "on" position, thus:



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Moving the handle upwards toward "off" moves the top of the tumbler assembly downward (foreground of photo), but all it does initially is to start tensioning the spring:



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Handle moved over the greater part of its travel, but contacts still firmly closed:


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Almost there now, note the position of the spring with the top of the tumbler almost at the "point of no return":



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Until finally, on the very last portion of the travel the spring snaps the contacts open quickly:




[This message has been edited by pauluk (edited 05-02-2006).]

AHHHH!!!!

Thanks Paul & Alan.

Fascinating. So then the term applies to any standard toggle or rocker switch, not just the surface mount types.

[This message has been edited by SvenNYC (edited 05-02-2006).]

Are we talking about "Snap switches"?

So.......ball-bat switch, toggle switch, snap switch, tumbler switch, they are all the same switch, different name.

On some worn switches similar to the one pictured it can even happen you move the handle all the way and it takes a second or two until the tumbler moves... about the only type of failure I've ever seen with that type of switch.

Paul:
Excellent description - complete with the pix. I'm curious as to what kind of terminal connections that little switch has. It looks kinda like the set-screw type connections used on circuit breakers.

Mike (mamills)

Brass sleeves with setscrews. Same kind of connection they use on sockets and plugs.

Beats wrapping a hook of wire around a screw anytime.

Sure, but you can't just connect more wires by using a longer screw!
I know a guy who claims to be able ton hook up 4 wires to a screw terminal rated for 2...

Here's a closer look, one terminal with a conductor in place:



Looking through the brass collar from the rear:


These tumbler switches were generally mounted on a wooden block, the latter having holes drilled to match the terminal locations so that the wires could pass through.