3DPT Switches

[sborengasser]

Is there an easy way to determine if your 3DPT switch is latching or momentary, without wiring it up?

[PBE6]

Use the continuity function on a digital multimeter. Or if you don't have one, wire up a battery through the switch in series with a 1k resistor and an LED.

[Mark Hammer]

1) The "click" sounds different, with more of a thud in the latching type.

2) Don't know about the 3PDT variety, but the momentary DPDTs I have also have a big red dot on the side.

Those aspects aside, identify a pair of contacts that have continuity, and keep your leads in contact with them as you press the switch plunger down.  If it is momentary then pressing it down should intewrrupt that continuity, and it should be restored when you release and the plunger comes back up.

[guitarpedalparts]

Yes, latching ones usually will have a big thunk sound. Momentary will usually have a small little click. The little click happens toward the end of the switch travel, just barely a click.

[scratch]

I have a number of momentary switches that make no clicking sounds at all ...
Other momentaries will also click when thet 'make' connection, and then click again as you release them and connection 'breaks' ... tactiles switches especially.