View A Video on Vacuum Switches - A Quick Introduction
Vacuum Switches
Corrosion-resistant and long-lasting, vacuum switches provide control stability through inconsistent conditions and assure continuous service even under extreme shock and vibration. Often used to control and monitor various processes, vacuum switches are also commonly used in applications as an interlock device to sense gas, air or water pressure at a specific point, vacuum pressure switches provide on and off control of waste oil heating systems, residential boilers, electric heaters, pumps, small air compressors and transmission systems. Industries that utilize vacuum switches include food processing, aerospace, chemical processing, residential, industrial, commercial, heating and cooling, electronics and pharmaceutical. Automotive vacuum switches are the most common type of vacuum switches, and are used to regulate the flow of engine fluid.
Vacuum switches respond to a change in negative pressure. If a change is signaled, an elastomeric diaphragm opens or closes an electrical circuit based on a predetermined pressure set point and activates the vacuums switch. The movement of the diaphragm actuates a single snap acting switch, a mechanical switch that causes a rapid transfer of contacts from one position to another. When actuated, the snap acting switch converts the negative pressure signal into an electrical signal. An elastomeric diaphragm eliminates the need for an oil barrier because they separate pressure instruments from the process media, while allowing the instruments to sense the process pressure. A vacuum switch is set to a certain point of pressure to which it will automatically respond. Field adjustable pressure set points allow the vacuum pressure switch to be calibrated to the correct pressure points for opening and closing the diaphragm. There are three main vacuum switch designs: mechanical, pneumatic and electronic. In the mechanical and pneumatic versions, an elastomeric diaphragm reacts to changes in the pressure level and actuates either a mechanical switch or a valve. In the electric version, a piezoresistive pressure sensor measures the pressure level and converts the level into an electrical signal. Construction materials vary depending on the applications and vacuum switches materials are wide-ranging including brass, polycarbonate, plated steel, glass reinforced polyester, polyvinyl chloride and cast aluminum.
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