The Importance of Terminology's Quality

[RedGrittyBrick]

George Neuner wrote:
> On Mon, 1 Sep 2008 21:03:44 +0000 (UTC), Martin Gregorie
> <martin at see.sig.for.address.invalid> wrote:
> 
>> On Mon, 01 Sep 2008 12:04:05 -0700, Robert Maas, http://tinyurl.com/uh3t
>> wrote:
>>
>>>> From: George Neuner <gneun... at comcast.net> A friend of mine had an
>>>> early 8080 micros that was programmed through the front panel using
>>>> knife switches
>>> When you say "knife switches", do you mean the kind that are shaped like
>>> flat paddles? 
>>>
>> Pedantic correction:
>>
>> "Knife switch" is the wrong term. These are high current switches, 
>> typically used in the sort of heavy duty circuit where the wiring hums 
>> when power is on or in school electrical circuits so even the back of the 
>> class can see whether the switch is open or closed. In these a copper 
>> 'blade' closes the contact by being pushed down into a 
>> narrow, sprung U terminal that makes a close contact with both sides of 
>> the blade. Like this: http://www.science-city.com/knifeswitch.html
>>
>> What you're talking is a flat handle on a SPST or DPST toggle switch. It 
>> is often called a paddle switch and mounted with the flats on the handle 
>> horizontal. Like this, but often with a longer handle: 
>> http://www.pixmania.co.uk/uk/uk/1382717/art/radioshack/spdt-panel-mount-
>> paddle-s.html
> 
> I don't know the correct term, but what I was talking about was a tiny
> switch with a 1/2 inch metal handle that looks like a longish grain of
> rice.  We used to call them "knife" switches because after hours
> flipping them they would feel like they were cutting into your
> fingers.
> 

That must be a toggle switch (as MG suggested) just not the paddle type.

e.g.
<http://cpc.farnell.com/SW02861/components-spares/product.us0?sku=multicomp-1m31t1b1m1qe>
<http://tinyurl.com/64a8ld>


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