Pushbuttons, Switches, Pilot Lights and Joysticks

Push buttons, also known as pushbutton switches, are fundamental components in various electronic and mechanical systems. These electrical actuators control circuits, enabling or disabling the flow of electricity when pressed. In industrial and commercial contexts, push buttons are often linked mechanically, ensuring that pressing one button releases another, a mechanism employed in simple manual operations without electrical circuits for control.

Push buttons can control a wide array of devices, from computers and telephones to industrial machinery and security systems. The operation of push buttons involves reconfiguring electrical circuits. When a circuit is open, electricity flow is interrupted, halting the operation of connected equipment. Conversely, closing a circuit with a push button switch permits uninterrupted electrical flow, enabling the device's operation. Some push buttons incorporate springs, maintaining open circuits when not pressed.