Figure 3-7. - Rotary switch in automobile ignition system.

The rotor in the distributor rotates continually (when in use) in one direction and makes a complete circle. This is not true for all rotary switches. The ignition switch in an automobile is also a rotary switch. It usually has four positions (accessory, off, on, start). Unlike the rotor, it does not rotate continually when in use, can be turned in either direction, and does not move through a complete circle.

Some rotary switches are made with several layers or levels. The arrangement makes possible the control of several circuits with a single switch.

Figure 3-8 is an illustration of a rotary switch with two layers. Each layer has a selector and 20 contacts. As this switch is rotated, both layers select a single circuit (contact) of the 20.

Figure 3-8. - Two-layer rotary switch.

The channel selector on some television sets is a multilayer rotary switch. It is also called a WAFER SWITCH. In a wafer switch, each layer is known as a wafer. The schematic of the wafer is always drawn to represent the wafer as it would look if viewed from opposite the operating handle or mechanism. If the wafer has contacts on both sides, two drawings are used to show the two sides of the wafer. The two drawings are labeled "front" and "rear." The drawing labeled "front" represents the side of the wafer closest to the operating mechanism.

Figure 3-9(A) shows one wafer of a wafer switch and its schematic symbol. Contact 1 is the point at which current enters the wafer. It is always connected to the movable portion of the wafer. With the wafer in the position shown, contact 1 is connected to both contact 5 and 6 through the movable portion. If the movable portion was rotated slightly clockwise, contact 1 would only be connected to contact 5. This arrangement is known as MAKE BEFORE BREAK because the switch makes a contact before breaking the old contact.

Figure 3-9. - Wafer switch.

Figure 3-9(B) is an illustration of the entire switch and its schematic symbol. Since the switch has two wafers mechanically connected by the shaft of the switch, the shaft rotates the movable portion of both wafers at the same time. This is represented on the schematic symbol by the dotted line connecting the two wafers.

The upper wafer of the schematic symbol is the wafer closest to the control mechanism, and is identical to the wafer shown in figure 3-9(A). When switches have more than one wafer, the first wafer shown is always the wafer closest to the operating mechanism. The lower wafer on the schematic diagram is the wafer farthest away from the operating mechanism.

Contact 9 of this wafer is connected to the movable portion and is the point at which current enters the wafer. In the position shown, contact 9 is connected to both contact 13 and 16. If the switch is rotated slightly clockwise, contact 9 would no longer be connected to contact 13. A further clockwise movement would connect contact 9 to contact 12. This arrangement is called BREAK BEFORE MAKE. Contact 9 will also be connected to contact 15 at the same time as it is connected to contact 12.