DIP Switch DPST || TinkerCAD Circuits Input Component

 ● A single or multiple switches in a DIP (Dual In-line Package).

● A single DIP switch is DPST (Double Pole Single Throw).

● A DIP switch SPST x 4 contains 4 individual switches (Single Pole Single Throw).

● A DIP Switch SPST x 6 contains 6 individual switches (Single Pole Single Throw). 

In other words, a single DIP switch.

Description:

This device is a toggle switch with two positions.

How It Works:

A DIP switch contains metal contacts that contact each together when the slider is moved, allowing electrical current to flow. This DIP switch functions as two separate toggle switches with the same lever.

Connect It:

This device has four wire leads. 1A and 1B form the first toggle switch, and 2A and 2B form the second. These switches should be wired in series with the device they are meant to control.

How It Is Used:

Click the device during simulation to change the switch position.

Get Started:

Drag the starter circuit below into your design for a working example of how to use this part.

More About DIP Switch DPST

To add a DIP Switch DPST in Tinkercad, search for "DIP Switch DPST" in the component library, drag it onto your breadboard, and connect its terminals with wires to other components in your circuit. You can then click on the DIP Switch DPST to set its name for easy identification. 

The Double Pole, Single Throw (DPST) DIP Switch is a specialized configuration of the standard Dual In-line Package switch, composed of a single actuator that simultaneously controls two separate circuits (double pole), which can only be in a simple ON or OFF state (single throw). This means it has four terminals: two inputs and two outputs. DPST DIP switches can be found across various common actuator types, including Slide, Rocker, and Piano styles, and are typically mounted to a PCB using Through-Hole or Surface Mount Technology (SMT). Key specifications for these low-power components are measured in:

• Current Rating: Typically low, in the range of 10 mA to 200 mA at the switching voltage.

• Voltage Rating: Often 24 VDC to 50 VDC for the maximum non-switching voltage, with a lower voltage rating for the actual switching operation.

• Operating Temperature Range: Commonly spans from around −40∘C to +85∘C or higher.

• Electrical Life: Measured in the number of cycles, usually 2,000 cycles minimum per switch. The DPST configuration is useful for applications requiring simultaneous control of two lines, such as switching both the live and neutral conductors in a low-voltage AC circuit or controlling two independent signal paths with a single action.

GlobalSpec – DIP Switches Selection Guide 

Website Title: GlobalSpec
Website Page URL: https://www.globalspec.com/learnmore/electrical_electronic_components/switches/dip_switches
URL recommended for (Reason): An excellent technical guide for selecting DIP switches that clearly defines Double Pole, Single Throw (DPST) in the context of switch configuration, which is essential for understanding the component.

ElProCus – DPST Switch: Circuit, Working, Specifications & Its Applications 

Website Title: ElProCus
Website Page URL: https://www.elprocus.com/dpst-switch/

URL recommended for (Reason): Provides a thorough, dedicated explanation of the DPST switch working principle, including its circuit diagram, applications (like switching mains supply), and advantages.

All About Circuits – DIP Switches: Understanding the Basics 

Website Title: All About Circuits
Website Page URL: https://www.allaboutcircuits.com/industry-articles/dip-switches-understanding-the-basics/

URL recommended for (Reason): A fundamental article that clearly explains the concept of Poles and Throws (SPST, SPDT, DPST, DPDT), which is the necessary theoretical background for anyone studying the DPST configuration.

CTS Corporation – DIP Switches Website Title: CTS Corporation
Website Page URL: https://www.ctscorp.com/Products/Switches/DIP-Switches

URL recommended for (Reason): A manufacturer's resource that explicitly lists DPST as one of the available Circuit Switching Options for their DIP switches, confirming its availability and common industrial use.

Note: Autodesk® and TinkerCAD® are trademarks of their respective company

TinkerCAD Circuits Platform related Interesting Links:

TinkerCAD Circuits Reference Handbook eBook: About Page 

Quickly Master Electronics with the TinkerCAD Circuits Reference Handbook 

…till next post, bye-bye & take care.

C Interview Questions & Answers || Intermediate Level || Set - II

Question: How to convert a string to numbers in C? 

Answer: You can talk about different methods for this conversion. The first method uses the stoi() library function. The second method uses the atoi() library function.

Question: What is the difference between call by value and call by reference in C? 

Answer: Call by value denotes that the argument value is imitated (copied) into the parameter. Call by reference indicates that the reference argument gets passed to the parameter.

Question: What is a NULL pointer in C? 

Answer: A null pointer lacks any valid address and is usually assigned to NULL or zero. This macro constant can be found in different C programming header files, including stdio.

Question: What is static memory allocation? 

Answer: Static memory allocation is performed during compile time, which can help save running time. It is highly preferred in the array and is usually performed from the stack.

Question: What is the difference between malloc() and calloc()? 

Answer: The malloc() function is utilized for making a single memory block of a certain size. If you want to assign more than one memory block to one variable, you can leverage the calloc() function.

Question: What is the purpose of the sprintf() function? 

Answer: The sprintf() function allows you to format and store a series of values and characters within the array buffer.

Question: What functions are used to open and close the file in C language? 

Answer: The function used to open an existing file using the C programming language is fopen(). The function used to close a file using the C programming language is fclose().

Question: What is the program for swapping two numbers without any third variable? 

Answer: The program can swap two numbers using arithmetic operations without a third variable, for example:

int a=20, b=10;

a=a+b; // a becomes 30 (20+10)

b=a-b; // b becomes 20 (30-10)

a=a-b; // a becomes 10 (30-20)

// Output: Before swapping a=20 b=10; After swapping a=10 b=20

Question: What is an r-value and l-value? 

Answer: An “lvalue” denotes an object with an address, which means it has an identifiable memory location. It is usually located on the left or right side of the assignment operator. An “r-value” comes without any address or identifiable memory location. Because it cannot be allocated to a value, you will find it only on the right side of an assignment operator.

…till next post, bye-bye & take care.

Keypad 4x4 || TinkerCAD Circuits Input Component

 A 16-button keypad with digits 0-9, letters A-D, and the * and # symbols. It is used for user input.

Description:

This device consists of 16 momentary switches arranged in a grid pattern.

How It Works:

Patterns of conductive material are printed onto layers of plastic, and a small domed membrane can be squeezed or pressed to allow contact between the two surfaces.

Connect It:

This device has eight wire leads that correspond to the rows and columns of switches inside. Connect each pin to its own digital pin on the Arduino.

How It Is Used:

Click the device’s buttons during simulation to press the switches.

Get Started:

Details about component in a circuit’s working [No Get Started Circuit]

More About Keypad 4x4

To add a Keypad 4x4 in Tinkercad, search for "Keypad 4x4" in the component library, drag it onto your breadboard, and connect its terminals with wires to other components in your circuit. You can then click on the Keypad 4x4 to set its name for easy identification. 

The 4x4 Keypad is a compact input device used in digital electronics, most commonly utilizing a Membrane Keypad design. This type is constructed from flexible sheets (membranes) with conductive traces (typically silver or carbon) forming a 4×4 matrix of momentary switches. The key feature of its construction is the matrix wiring which allows 16 keys to be interfaced using only 8 connection pins (4 rows and 4 columns), significantly saving microcontroller I/O ports. Key specifications for these low-power devices typically include a Maximum Voltage Rating of 24 VDC to 35 VDC, a very low Maximum Current Rating of 30 mA to 100 mA (milliamperes), and an Operating Temperature Range of approximately 0∘C to 50∘C (degrees Celsius). The durability is high, with a Life Expectancy often rated at over 1 million key presses.

Instructables – Connecting a 4 X 4 Membrane Keypad to an Arduino Website Title: Instructables

Website Page URL: https://www.instructables.com/Connecting-a-4-x-4-Membrane-Keypad-to-an-Arduino/ 

URL recommended for (Reason): A practical, step-by-step tutorial with clear pin-to-pin wiring instructions, including the modified Arduino code needed to get the 4x4 keypad working using the standard Keypad library.

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FactoryForward – 4×4 Matrix Keypad – Principle and Interfacing with Arduino Website Title: FactoryForward

Website Page URL: https://www.factoryforward.com/4x4-matrix-keypad-principle-interfacing-arduino/ 

URL recommended for (Reason): Detailed explanation of the keypad's working principle and scanning logic (how a microcontroller identifies the pressed key by checking rows and columns), along with the Arduino implementation.

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ElectronicWings – 4x4 Keypad Interfacing With Arduino UNO Website Title: ElectronicWings

Website Page URL: https://www.electronicwings.com/arduino/4x4-keypad-interfacing-with-arduino-uno 

URL recommended for (Reason): Provides the keypad library setup, complete Arduino code, and a discussion on different interfacing techniques, including a complex single-wire method for pin-saving.

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Adafruit Learning System – Matrix Keypad Overview Website Title: Adafruit Learning System

Website Page URL: https://learn.adafruit.com/matrix-keypad/overview 

URL recommended for (Reason): Excellent concise overview of the matrix layout (4 rows, 4 columns, 8 pins) and how it saves microcontroller pins, including links to resources for Arduino and CircuitPython.

Note: Autodesk® and TinkerCAD® are trademarks of their respective company

TinkerCAD Circuits Platform related Interesting Links:

TinkerCAD Circuits Reference Handbook eBook: About Page 

Quickly Master Electronics with the TinkerCAD Circuits Reference Handbook 

…till next post, bye-bye & take care.