Flipping a light switch seems simple enough, but did you know there are actually two main types of electrical switches? The terms “normally open” and “normally closed” refer to how these switches operate by default. Understanding the difference between the two is crucial for various electrical applications. In this guide, we’ll explain what normally open and normally closed mean, provide clear examples of each type, and discuss when to use one versus the other. Whether you’re an electrician or DIYer, this breakdown will shed light on properly selecting and wiring switches for your needs. Read on to learn the key distinctions between these common yet often misunderstood electrical components.
Brief Summary
This article explains the difference between normally open and normally closed switches. A normally open switch is open when not activated, so no current flows. When actuated, it closes and allows current to flow. Normally open switches are used in applications like burglar alarms, conveyor belt safety stops, and to control appliances. Normally closed switches are closed by default, allowing current flow. To stop current, the switch must be activated to open the circuit. Normally closed switches are often used as safety devices and limit switches. The article provides examples of wiring both types of switches. It notes that normally open switches are wired in a loop, while normally closed use a series circuit. Short circuits can occur if wires touch or contact switch terminals incorrectly. The type of switch needed depends on the application. Knowing the difference in how they operate and wire is key. The article finishes by addressing common questions about terminology, changing switch types, and examples of each.
Normally Open
A normally open switch is one that is open when not actuated. That means that, in its unactivated state, there is no path between the electrical contacts. When you push the button or flip the lever, it closes the circuit and completes the path, allowing current to flow [1].
In simple terms: Normally open means the switch is off until you turn it on.
Uses for Normally Open Switches
There are a lot of applications for NO switches. A few examples include:
- Automotive fuel injectors – They are open when the engine is off (to prevent fuel leakage) and closed when the engine is on.
- Burglar alarm systems – The switch is usually placed on a door or window. If the door or window is opened, the circuit is broken and the alarm sounds.
- Fire sprinkler systems – The switch is located in the piping. If the temperature gets too high, the switch opens and water flows into the piping. In addition, you may be interested in interfacing a flame sensor with Arduino guide.
- Conveyor belts – The switch is usually located at the end of the belt. If something breaks the beam of light, the switch will open and the conveyor belt will stop.
- Some computer keyboards – The switch is located under the key. When you press the key, the switch closes and a signal is sent to the computer.
- Automatic doors – The switch is located in the sensor. When someone or something breaks the beam of light, the switch closes and the door opens.
- Fire alarm release button – The switch is located in the button. When the button is pressed, the circuit is completed and the fire alarm sounds.
- Emergency stop buttons – The switch is located on the button. The switch closes and the machine stops when the button is pressed [2].
In these two previous applications, it is vital that the switch not be accidentally triggered. If the switch were to close when it should be open, or vice versa, it could have disastrous consequences.
There are many other applications for NO switches. If you can think of any, please share them in the comments!
Normally closed
In a normally closed circuit, the switch is closed, and the current can flow freely through the circuit. The term “normally closed” refers to the default state of the switch. In other words, when the power is off or when there’s no input signal, the switch is in the closed position [3].
To make it clear, let’s take a look at an example.
Uses for Normally Closed Switches
There are many uses for normally closed switches. They can be used as safety devices, to control lights, limit switches, and in-process control applications.
- One of the most common uses for a normally closed switch is as a safety device. A switch that is configured in this way will prevent equipment from starting up if there is a problem with the circuit. This can help to prevent accidents and injuries.
- One more use for a normally closed switch is to control lights. These switches can be used to turn on and off a light fixture. They can also be used to dim or brighten a light.
- Limit switches are another common use for normally closed switches. These switches are used to control the movement of a machine or process. They can be used to turn off equipment if it reaches a certain point, or to prevent it from moving beyond a certain point.
- In-process control applications are another area where normally closed switches are used. These switches can be used to monitor and control the flow of materials or liquids. They can also be used to regulate the temperature of a process.
These are just a few of the most common applications. If you have a need for a switch that will keep a circuit closed, a normally closed switch is the right choice.
How do you wire these types of switches?
To wire a normally open switch, you need to connect the two wires that go to the load (or device that you want to control) to the two terminals on the switch.
To wire a normally closed switch, you need to connect one wire to one terminal on the switch, and the other wire to the other terminal.
If you need to wire a switch that is both normally open and normally closed, you will need to use two switches.
You can wire them in parallel so that they both control the load, or in series so that one switch controls the other switch, which then controls the load.
There are a few things to keep in mind when wiring a switch.
- First, make sure that you have the correct type of switch for your application.
- Second, make sure that you connect the wires to the correct terminals on the switch.
- And third, make sure that you do not create a short circuit.
Short circuits can occur when the wires that are connected to the switch are touching each other, or if the wire that is connected to the load is touching one of the terminals on the switch.
If you have a short circuit, it can cause damage to your switch, your load, or both.
So it’s important to be careful when you’re wiring a switch.
Read more guides to upgrade your knowledge in electronics:
- What is the Difference Between an Open Circuit and a Closed Circuit?
- What is Star Delta Starter Circuit?
- How to Build a Prototype Electronic Circuit?
FAQ
Are electrical contacts drawn normally closed open or both?
This is a great question! The answer depends on the situation. If you’re talking about a switch, for example, it can be either normally open or closed.
If you’re talking about an electrical circuit, it’s usually drawn as either normally open or closed. However, there are some instances where both may be used.
Is normally open positive or negative?
There is no positive or negative when it comes to normally open or closed. It simply refers to the position of the switch.
What would happen if you changed a normally closed switch to be normally open?
If you changed a normally closed switch to be normally open, it would have the reverse effect of what it originally did. For example, if the switch was controlling a light, the light would now be on all the time instead of off. This is because when a switch is normally closed, that means the circuit is complete and current can flow freely. However, when you change it to be normally open, that means there is an open circuit and no current can flow until you trigger the switch.
So while it’s definitely possible to change a switch from being normally closed to being normally open (and vice versa), it’s important to know what effect that will have on the circuit before you do so. This will require some extra tinkering and investigation on your part.
How do you wire a normally open and normally closed switch?
The most important distinction between normally open and closed switches is how they are wired. Normally open switches are wired in what’s called a “circuit loop”. When the switch is off, no current can flow through the circuit.
Conversely, normally closed switches are wired in a “series circuit”. In this configuration, the switch contacts are always closed and the current flows freely when the switch is off. It’s only when you activate the switch that the contact opens and breaks the circuit, blocking the flow of current.
What is an example of a normally closed switch?
A normally closed switch is one that is closed when at rest. A classic example of a normally closed switch is a push-button switch. When in its normal state, the current flows through the switch and completes the circuit. When you push the button, the switch opens and breaks the circuit.
Normally closed switches are often used as safety devices. For example, a switch that is normally closed but opens when a machine cover is removed can be used to stop the machine if someone tries to access the moving parts while it is running.
Are door contacts normally open or closed?
It depends. A lot of the time, they are set up as Normally Open (NO), but they can be Normally Closed (NC) as well. This is only the case if you install a door jam switch with a magnet on the door and frame, which is less common.
Door contacts are usually used in security systems. The switch is placed on the door frame and the magnet is placed on the door. This way, when the door is closed, the two pieces complete the circuit and everything is fine. But if somebody opens the door, then the circuit is broken and it sets off an alarm or sends a signal to a monitoring center.
Is it normally open on or off?
Normally open is off. In a normally open circuit, the switch is open, or “off,” when the plunger is not actuated. Once the user presses the plunger, the switch closes, or “turns on.”
Normally open switches are used in applications where it is important that the switch be “off” when no user input is detected. An excellent example of this can be found in light switches and medical equipment.
What does open switch mean?
An open switch is one that is not engaged. This means that the two points of contact are not touching and there is no current flowing between them.
Open switches are often used as safety devices. For example, a limit switch on a garage door opener will keep the door from closing if something is in the way. If the switch was closed, then the door would close regardless of what was in its path.
Another common use for an open switch is to turn on a light. In this case, the switch is actually controlling the flow of electricity to the light bulb. When you flip the switch to “on” position, you allow current to flow through lighting up the bulb.
How do you check if a contact is normally open?
To check if a contact is normally open, you will first need to access the switch. This can typically be done by removing a cover or opening up the device that the switch is controlling.
Once you can access the relay, you will want to locate the two main terminals of the switch. These are typically labeled “NO” and “NC.” You can normally check which is which just by looking at the switch. But if you see no labels, you may need to consult a manual or schematic.
Are heat detectors normally open or closed?
This is a great question. Usually heat detectors will be normally closed. This is so that when the heat detector is triggered, it will close the circuit and send a signal to the alarm system.
Same logic applies to other sensors like water sensors, tamper switches, and glass break detectors. However, there are some exceptions to this rule. For example, some security systems will have a normally open door contact on the main entry/exit door.
Is a push button normally closed?
Yes, a push button is an example of a normally closed switch. A normally closed switch is one that allows current to flow through it when it is in the normal position and cuts off current, making circuit open upon activation.
So only when the push button is pressed, the circuit is opened and current stops flowing, making the switch “off.” The reason behind this is that most push buttons are used to activate a momentary function, like an emergency stop.
Why start button is normally open?
The Start button is a normally open switch. When you press the button, it closes the circuit and sends power to all the other elements in the car. This prevents your car from starting accidentally. If the start button was a normally closed switch, your car could start if the switch was bumped or shorted out in some way.
Similar logic applies to the stop button, it’s normally closed. So when you press it, the circuit is opened and power is cut to the car.
Why stop button is normally closed?
The stop button is normally closed because it ensures that the machine will stop if there is a power failure. If the stop button were Normally Open, then the machine would keep running in the event of a power outage.
It’s also worth noting that emergency stop buttons are usually wired in such a way that they bypass any safety interlocks. This means that, even if there’s a problem with the safety interlock system, hitting the emergency stop button will still shut off power to the machine.
Final Thoughts
There you have it! Now you know the difference. As always, if you have any questions or need help selecting the right type of switch for your application, please contact us. We’re here to help!
What other types of switches would you like to see a blog post about? Let us know in the comments below!
I hope this helped clear things up for you and as always, thanks for reading!
Until next time!
References:
- https://engineerfix.com/normally-open-vs-normally-closed-what-do-they-mean/
- https://tim.silvrback.com/normally-open-vs-normally-closed
- https://www.easycarelectrics.com/normally-open-and-normally-closed-relay-diagram-symbol/#normally-open-relay-symbol