Toggle switches, also known as rocker switches or waveform switches, derive their name from the boat-shaped design of their operating buttons. Their core structure relies on a metal spring or contact system, enabling circuit control through mechanical action—such as flipping the “bow”—to open or close the circuit. Contact types include single-pole single-throw (SPST) and double-pole double-throw (DPDT). Some models integrate indicator lights to facilitate user identification of the current state.
Rocker switches control circuits through physical contact: pressing the button closes the internal metal spring or contacts, completing the circuit; releasing the button allows the spring to reset or the contacts to separate, breaking the circuit. Their principle resembles standard electrical switches but offers a more compact structure and higher stability.