Electronic Switch
A switch that, instead of carrying the motor current directly through its own contacts, sends a low-current signal to the control board. The switch contact is relieved of the arcing load, and the board makes the decision on motor direction and stopping. On the AXI LFT54 the control works this way and is connected to the kit with a separate control signal wire.
In a mechanical switch all of the motor current passes through the contact; an arc forms at every make and break, the contact carbonises over time and its resistance rises. In an electronic switch, the switch only changes a signal level and the semiconductor on the board drives the power.
- Long life: a low-current contact wears far less than a contact carrying motor current.
- Protection layer: because the decision is made on the board, protections such as a current threshold and a position limit can come into play. On the LFT54, current and position-sensor protection works thanks to this.
- Thin cable: the signal line does not have to be as thick as the motor supply; running it into the cab becomes easier.
One of the LFT54's four connections is this signal wire; the others are the two supply leads and the cable inlet socket. On the LFT20, since there is no such board, the control logic is directly on the illuminated switch. The basic behavioural difference between the two products largely arises from this.
Context in which this term is used: Converting a tractor hydraulic lever to electronic control