Using a switch as a button

[Dewst3r]

Would it be possible to use a switch (like an on/off switch) as a button. I was thinking that if you flipped the switch on and off quickly it would serve the same purpose as a button, which is delivering a short amount of current to do something. I was thinking specifically for a computer where the power button sends a pulse to the motherboard to indicate the process of turning on or off the computer. Wouldn't it do the same thing to flip a switch on and off posing as the power button for a computer? Maybe I am misunderstanding how the switch and button work. I was just thinking about this and didn't see why it wouldn't work to replace the button with a switch (on/off switch). 

[d3sl91]

Would it be possible to use a switch (like an on/off switch) as a button. I was thinking that if you flipped the switch on and off quickly it would serve the same purpose as a button, which is delivering a short amount of current to do something. I was thinking specifically for a computer where the power button sends a pulse to the motherboard to indicate the process of turning on or off the computer. Wouldn't it do the same thing to flip a switch on and off posing as the power button for a computer? Maybe I am misunderstanding how the switch and button work. I was just thinking about this and didn't see why it wouldn't work to replace the button with a switch (on/off switch). 

For a computer, yeah, a switch is fine - ONLY - if its not on constantly. It needs to be an intermittent thing. As you should be aware, holding the power button on any computer will shut it down. 

 

You can get an on/off style switch that is just a toggle. Just like a button, but instead of a button it's a rocker. 

[Laederem]

I suppose you could, all the power button is doing is shorting the pins. 

Not quite sure why you would want to do that, but you can. 

[Dewst3r]

Alright....lol there's really no practicality to it, I was just curious. Thanks guys!

[gilm0re3]

I can see having one of these on your pc as your on/off switch being freaking awesome and would probably

feel so badass to use.

 

[Dewst3r]

Oh yeah that would be awesome...

[d3sl91]

I can see having one of these on your pc as your on/off switch being freaking awesome and would probably

feel so badass to use.

 

You can.

 

Theres two types of these. Ones that when you flip it, it stays, and ones that do not. You can find them both. 

[babbaj]

I can see having one of these on your pc as your on/off switch being freaking awesome and would probably

feel so badass to use.

 

i think i'm gonna buy one of those

[Dewst3r]

Also with a key so you have to turn a key and then flip it for the computer to turn on....like when they launch nukes. That would be absolutely amazing.

[Dewst3r]

Would there be any difficulties in the voltages and amps that the switch takes?

[Darkman]

I can see having one of these on your pc as your on/off switch being freaking awesome and would probably

feel so badass to use.

 

-snip-

I must find one now!

[d3sl91]

http://www.performance-pcs.com/catalogsearch/result/?q=Toggle+Switch

[whytunes]

You could get a little microcontraller on the cheap. With a few lines of codes this is a breeze

[Yoinkerman]

Look for OFF-MOM switches, also called momentary switches.

 

Here are 108 pages of them! http://www.digikey.com/product-search/en/switches/rocker-switches/1114204?k=OFF-MOM

 

Happy modding!

 

This.

 

The "On" button on a computer just temporarily shorts two pins.  One wire goes to the base of the switch, and one goes to the depressed positon, making a loop whenever the button is pushed.

 

The reset is the same.

[d3sl91]

Look for OFF-MOM switches, also called momentary switches.

Here are 108 pages of them! http://www.digikey.com/product-search/en/switches/rocker-switches/1114204?k=OFF-MOM

Happy modding!

Of course the other Ham reccomends digikey.