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The Top Ten Off Switches

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.""

4 of 245 comments (clear)

  1. Slashdotted? by jafiwam · · Score: 4, Insightful

    Link is not working for me.

    Did they include the "guy standing over rope with axe" switch to shut down the Manhattan project reactor pile?

    Sometimes low tech is the best tech.

  2. Re:Toggle FTW! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Insightful

    Knife switches are better. Toggle switches are inappropriate for mad scientist use.

  3. Re:controls logic by Linker3000 · · Score: 4, Insightful

    Unless of course it's the overload switch of an electromagnetic lifter (ie: Scrapyard crane) where you don't want that 4 ton load to suddenly drop from 60ft onto you just because someone heard a gear grind and pressed the panic button - better to lock the electromagnet ON.

    --
    AT&ROFLMAO
  4. Data's LEG? by glindsey · · Score: 4, Insightful
    From the article:

    #7 - Lieutenant Commander Data's leg
    Yes, you read that right, one of the best off switches ever is fitted to the android from Star Trek: The Next Generation. Data, as he's known to his friends -- seen here snogging the face off the Borg Queen -- had one secret he only told a select few people. He could be deactivated with a power button on his leg. Yeah... but it was on his hip, not his leg. Which, I suppose, could make sex with the Borg Queen a bit of a pain...

    "Oh yeah, yeah, wait, no, don't touch me th*thunk*"