Editing Miniature snap-action switch (section)

{{Short description|Electric switch actuated by very little physical force}}
{{More citations needed|date=March 2011}}
[[file:Microswitches.jpg|thumb|right|Comparison of some different switches]]

A '''miniature snap-action switch''', also trademarked and frequently known as a '''micro switch''' or '''microswitch''', is an electric [[switch]] that is actuated by very little physical [[force]], through the use of a [[Tipping point (physics)|tipping-point mechanism]], sometimes called an "over-center" mechanism.

The defining feature of micro switches is that a relatively small movement at the [[actuator]] button produces a relatively large movement at the [[electrical contacts]], which occurs at high speed (regardless of the speed of actuation). Switching happens reliably at specific and repeatable positions of the actuator, which is not necessarily true of other mechanisms. Most successful designs also exhibit [[hysteresis]], meaning that a small reversal of the actuator is insufficient to reverse the contacts; there must be a significant movement in the opposite direction. Both of these characteristics help to achieve a clean and reliable interruption to the switched circuit.

They are very common due to their low [[cost]] but high [[durability]], greater than 1 million cycles, and up to 10 million cycles for heavy-duty models.  This durability is a natural consequence of the design.