What are the differences and functions of the switches we use in daily life?

Are the travel switches, limit switches, and proximity switches we see in daily life just a name? Are there slight differences between the three of them, and will these small differences affect our selection?

Travel switch: A switch that determines the on and off of a circuit by the displacement of an object. Both the travel switch and the limit switch are position switches, but the travel switch can detect the travel and can be used as an input signal to control the circuit to operate at a certain distance. To put it bluntly, it is two limit switches.

Limit switch: It can be installed on relatively static objects (such as fixed frames, door frames, etc., referred to as static objects) or moving objects (such as vehicles, doors, etc.). When an object approaches a static object, the connecting rod of the switch drives the contact of the switch to cause the closed contact to disconnect or the open contact to close. The change of the open and closed state of the switch contact controls the action of the circuit and mechanism. Limit switches can also be divided into rotary limit switches and straight limit switches.

Proximity switch: Proximity switch is also called contactless travel switch. In addition to completing travel control and limit protection, it is also a non-contact detection device used to detect part size and speed, etc. It can also be used for variable frequency counters, variable frequency pulse generators, liquid level control and automatic connection of processing programs. Features include reliable operation, long life, low power consumption, high repositioning accuracy, high operating frequency and adaptability to harsh working environments. Performance characteristics Among all types of switches, there are components that have the ability to "sense" objects approaching it.

The difference between the three: 

1.The proximity switch is a contactless switch with a long life and is suitable for "passing signals". 

2. The limit switch (also called the travel switch) is a contact switch, suitable for unidirectional position detection. Due to the contact, the relative life is shorter. 

3. The travel switch is also called the limit switch. Both the travel switch and the limit switch are position switches, but the travel switch can detect the travel and can be used as an input signal to control the circuit to act at a certain distance. Different from the limit switch, which detects the signal of the limit position, it plays the role of stopping and protection.