Which switch capable of selecting any of several circuits?

Which switch capable of selecting any of several circuits?

• A. DPDT
• B. Push Button Switch
• C. Rotary Switch
• D. Solenoids

Answer: (C)

The key idea is selecting one path from several options with a single control. A rotary switch does exactly that: it has a common terminal and many fixed contacts, and by turning the knob a wiper connects the common to exactly one of the outputs at a time. That lets you pick among multiple circuits with one control. The other types don’t fit as cleanly. A dual-pole, dual-throw switch is set up to switch two circuits at once with two throws, not to select from many paths on a single common line. A push-button switch typically offers one or a couple of fixed contacts and is often momentary. A solenoid is an actuator, not a switch for selecting among several circuits.

The key idea is selecting one path from several options with a single control. A rotary switch does exactly that: it has a common terminal and many fixed contacts, and by turning the knob a wiper connects the common to exactly one of the outputs at a time. That lets you pick among multiple circuits with one control.

The other types don’t fit as cleanly. A dual-pole, dual-throw switch is set up to switch two circuits at once with two throws, not to select from many paths on a single common line. A push-button switch typically offers one or a couple of fixed contacts and is often momentary. A solenoid is an actuator, not a switch for selecting among several circuits.