A switch that is also quite common in our everyday lives but have never been often brought up or mentioned is the foot switch. You might be wondering that since I said it is quite common, how is it that you have never noticed it before. You have, but it never crossed your mind that what you see, sometimes almost everyday, is called a foot switch. It is the paddle like thing that you see at the foot of the sewing machine. That is a foot switch.
Like it’s namesake, the foot switch is also just another switch used to switch on or switch off a machine, which in this case is our sewing machine that most household has. These kind of switches are very commonly used in the production sector where the operators have to use both their hands while working therefore leaving only their foot free to operate the switch.
Working like all ordinary switches, the foot switch also has two normally open terminals. When the foot presses the switch down, the terminals closes allowing current to pass through to start the motor or the machine. It is a simple but yet effective way to maximise productivity. When compared with other switches it looks bulky and it is quite heavy when handled with our hands. It is designed that way so that it will not slide or move unnecassarily when it is operated by the foot.