BIG Mechanical switch

I'm currently working on a project in which I have an external Data Acquisition system with 48 channels reading 48 analog inputs and I would like to extend the number of inputs by means of a mechanical switch.

The idea is to double the number of inputs and have some sort of mechanical switch to control the order, for example, in a fist position have the current 1-48 inputs, move one position up to connect inputs 2-49, another position up and get inputs 3-50 and so on until a last position for inputs 49-96.

Do you know of any mechanical switch (probably a rotary switch) with such capabilities or another mechanical approach?

Regards!

You can buy the components for a rotary switch of any configuration you want. Or at least you could. I had a repair kit at one time with many dozens of possible configurations.

BUT! remember when you rotate the switch, you leave ALL circuits OPEN until the new position closes the new connections.

Sounds horribly complicated compared with just adding another 48 inputs.

3 Likes

Could you point me out in the right direction regarding the purchase of components for rotary switches with such configurations? All google searches I have tried always point to some fixed configurations. The fact that all circuits will be open until the new position closes is exactly what I need!

Thanks in advance!

As the Data acquisition system is external I cannot just add another 48 ADC inputs, that's why I would like to get to sort out the problem by means of a mechanical (rotary) switch. Which, I think it might be the easiest way to face the situation =).

A 48 position switch is extremely rare. Good luck with that.

Google "wafer switch repair kit". Or just wafer switch and check the pictures. I see 24 position.

1 Like

Why a mechanical switch as opposed to an electronic one?

There are many reasons, the fist of them is because there is no need for an additional power source, and as for the others, mainly because I don't know what are the voltages and currents being transmitted (which might be less that 5V/10mA, but I'm not sure)... It might be a black box issue, if you allow me to call it this way. Thus, as the system works just fine the way it is and I don't need an a priory knowledge of the voltage/current nor want to mess with those parameters, the safest solution is a mechanical switch. I have made some successful tests with DPDT switches and have worked just fine, so, the idea is just to find a simple way to go bigger. =)

1 Like

So this is not an Arduino device?
What are the signal parameters, volts?

How are you going to indicate to the data aquisition device which bank of inputs are connected?

Thanks.. Tom. :smiley: :+1: :coffee: :australia: :santa: :santa:

4051 multiplexer

See reply #9

1 Like

This topic was automatically closed 180 days after the last reply. New replies are no longer allowed.