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The Top Ten Off Switches

Posted by CmdrTaco on from the no-i-can't-make-this-up dept.

Dan Jimbokla submitted a story that normally i would pass over, but I actually oddly enjoyed it. "CNET.co.uk has a truly funny and read-worthy article up about the top ten off switches. One of my favorite switches from the piece is #4 — The illuminated toggle switch: "This switch isn't designed for high-drain uses, typically it can only provide a maximum of 20 amps at 12 volts. That will make it suitable for a number of exciting uses though, and what it lacks in power handling, it makes up for in practicality. This switch will illuminate when the device it controls is turned on, and go off when the device is deactivated. This is logical and practical, and that has earned this switch a place in our hearts. What's more, it's far from expensive and there are even a choice of colors.""

10 of 245 comments (clear)

  1. Do relays count? by LM741N · · Score: 3, Informative

    If so, the vacuum relay. Can switch large amounts of power and comes in a relatively small package. These are very fast as well. High power radio transmitting systems use them

    1. Re:Do relays count? by ajlitt · · Score: 2, Informative

      You mean the thyratron. Because at the heart of every high energy physics experiment or giant pulsed laser is a thyratron (or a thyristor, the solid state equivalent).

  2. controls logic by ch-chuck · · Score: 4, Informative

    Also remember to wire your emergency 'off' switches as normally closed, so if the switch fails the equipment will stop. Nothing worse that going to switch off a 30HP motor that your tie is stuck in and the damn switch isn't working.

    --
    try { do() || do_not(); } catch (JediException err) { yoda(err); }
  3. Re:Toggle FTW! by Billosaur · · Score: 3, Informative

    You're forgetting... the original Enterprise used toggle switches, especially in Engineering. You can bet Scotty wouldn't trust just any old switch to fiddle with antimatter.

    --
    GetOuttaMySpace - The Anti-Social Network
  4. Re:Toggle FTW! by Silver+Sloth · · Score: 5, Informative

    Or a piece of paper taped over it Apollo 13 style - my all time favourite protective cover. I often wonder whether that actually happened or whether it was artistic license.

    --
    init 11 - for when you need that edge.
  5. Re:Toggle FTW! by icebrain · · Score: 5, Informative

    It happened. As told in the book, before the time came to do the jettison, Swigert had nightmares that he'd flipped the wrong switch and watched his crewmates drift away. He made the sign (saying NO) as one more check in the system. I seem to recall that he asked one of the guys to check him on it, too.

    --
    The meek may inherit the earth, but the strong shall take the stars.
  6. Re:Confusing Switches by coolGuyZak · · Score: 3, Informative

    The mnemonic is an "open" ( O ) versus "closed" ( | ) electrical circuit. A circle could be seen as open, as the circuit appears to "break" as it passes through the center of the O. Meanwhile a closed circuit passes directly through the center of the line, unbroken.

  7. Re:Toggle FTW! by RGRistroph · · Score: 4, Informative

    The flip-up protective cover is officially known as a molly guard.

  8. Data's entry is wrong by fudgefactor7 · · Score: 4, Informative

    No, try again.... Not Leg, not armpit, but beneath his right shoulder blade. (http://www.startrek.com/startrek/view/series/TNG/character/1112457.html)

  9. Data by Triv · · Score: 2, Informative

    cnet's talkback feature appears to be broken, so I'll do the thing here:

    Data's off-switch is awesome, but the dude's got it wrong - it isn't on his leg, it's in his side above his hip. If I remember right, above his right hip.


    Triv