What Are Rocker Switches

Rocker Switches house a button for operation that can be pressed on either end like a seesaw to connect or disconnect an electrical circuit.

They are often used as ON/OFF switches on the main power supplies for electronic devices.

The name “rocker switch” comes from the rocking motion that the switch makes when the button is pressed. It is also sometimes called a seesaw switch.

Rocker switches are manufactured in diverse ranging handle most vehicle and equipment applications and are usually divided by the number of poles and throws to identify their basic operation. Rocker switches can be either snap-in or bracket mounting, actuators can be illuminated or imprinted, contain pilot lights, or have both pilot lights and imprinting.

Rocker switches, as denoted by the way the switch ‘rocks’ in a cradle to make the switching action, are available in all shapes and sizes. Rockers are much more varied than the toggle switch. Where the toggle switch has a relatively standard mounting size, the rocker switch is infinitely variable. Anything from mini-rockers at 12×14mm cutouts to large panel mounted cutouts at 35×40mm, with at least as many switching circuits as the toggle switch.