20 pole 2 throw

[EdProj]

Hello All, I'm making an A-B switch (so I can switch between channel A and B) but I need the switch to have 20 poles. Do any of you know a company that make these? I found this one so far but the wafer switch seems weak.

http://www.lorlin.co.uk/m.htm

Thanks.

 

[analogkid2digitalman]

If hard to find, what about a single switch firing (5) 4 pole relays or such.

Specs such as inrush and steady state current, voltage, and resistive or inductive load would be useful information regaarding your application.

Wheels within wheels / In a spiral array
A pattern so grand / And complex
Time after time / We lose sight of the way
Our causes can't see / Their effects.

 

[EdProj]

Thanks for the idea but I can't have power in the box, so I can't use relays to operate other switches.

 

[stevenal]

Electroswitch. They have a website.

 

[dbaird]

Look for "rotary cam switches"

Example:

http://s25.yousendit.com/d.aspx?id=2X085TPG2M11K21K0DIGZAIP1K

David Baird
mrbaird@hotmail.com
Sr Controls Designer
EET degree.
Journeyman Electrician.

 

[nbucska]

What do you want to switch? You may use electronic switch
powered by the signal etc.



<nbucska@pcperipherals DOT com> subj: eng-tips
read FAQ240-1032

 

[EdProj]

A good idea to use power on the cable, but the cable only has signals from RS485 chips. Don't know if you can take power from that without attenuating the signal?

 

[nbucska]

RS485 doesn't need 20 poles -- only two per channel.

You could use a simple dpdt switch.

If you use FET switch, you could use a 9 V battery -- it would last as long as its shelf-life. ( up to 10 yrs...)





<nbucska@pcperipherals DOT com> subj: eng-tips
read FAQ240-1032

 

[nbucska]

But why do you need ANY switch? 3 stations can be
connected to the same twisted pair.


<nbucska@pcperipherals DOT com> subj: eng-tips
read FAQ240-1032

 

[EdProj]

What I want is a box where I can put 3 groups of 4 rs485 plugs, 2 inputs and 1 output. Since the rs485 is a pair I need 4x2=8 for each port, then 3 ports, so I actually need 24 poles. Then with this box I have 2 sources feeding the the box and I can switch between each.

 

[Warpspeed]

Just a crazy idea, but how about a large array of reed switches and one or more magnets arranged somehow to operate the thing.

I know it sounds fiendishly horrible, but with a bit of thought, could magnets be fitted to an ordinary wafer switch mechanism ?

 

[itsmoked]

WARP Warp warp.... I think that is an outstandingly clever idea. Would work well I think.

 

[felixc]

There are rotary switches tha can have multiple plates and poles. Grayhill makes some.

 

[VEBill]

If you only need Qty one for a cheap one-off project, then you could look around for a Centronics (parallel port) printer switch. These A-B Printer switches are still available on the shelf in many stores, but are often heavily discounted into the single digit price range because printers have moved to USB. Of course you'd have to rewire the switch and use different connectors for your application.

The big advantage is that, if you're lucky, you be able to find (locally) a 25-pole, 2-position mechanical switch in a nice box for perhaps around $5. I've seen them for as little as Cdn$2 - brand new.

 

[EdProj]

Thanks for the good idea VE1BLL but I want to make a product out of this so I would need to have a large source that's easily available.