Rotary switch

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A rotary switch is a type of switch that is used on devices which have two or more different "states" or modes of operation, such as a three-speed fan or a CB radio with multiple frequencies of reception or "channels".

A rotary switch consists of a shaft or "rotor" that has a contact arm or "spoke" which projects from its surface like a cam. It has an array of terminals, arranged in a circle around the rotor, each of which serves as a contact for the "spoke" through which any one of a number of different electrical circuits can be connected to the rotor.

Rotary switches are used as channel selectors on older television sets, range selectors on electrical metering equipment, band selectors on multi-band radios, etc.