What Is a Tilt Switch?
A tilt switch is a device used to detect inclination or tilt.
When the switch tilts beyond a specific angle, it toggles between ON and OFF states. Providing information only about whether it is tilted, tilt switches offer features such as cost-effectiveness, easy handling, and stable operation when compared to accelerometer or gyroscope sensors used for angle measurement.
A typical tilt switch consists of a rod-shaped tube electrode containing a steel ball. When tilted, the steel ball rolls, making contact with the opposite electrode, thus completing the circuit. Tilt switches are compact and versatile in terms of installation locations.
In the past, mercury was used in the steel ball, but due to its toxicity, production and import/export of mercury-containing devices have been prohibited. Alternatives began to be supplied in the 1990s, and by the 2010s, these alternatives became widely adopted.
Currently, tilt switches are used in applications such as fluorescent lights and medical devices. However, with the ongoing development of low-cost accelerometer sensors, they are poised to become alternatives to mercury switches in the future.