Often called the “poor man’s” accelerometer tilt sensors are switches that can detect basic motion/orientation. The metal tube has a little metal ball that rolls around in it, when its tilted upright, the ball rolls onto the contacts sticking out of end and shorts them together. They are small, inexpensive, low-power and easy-to-use. If used properly, they will not wear out. Their simplicity makes them popular for toys, gadgets and appliances. Sometimes they are referred to as “mercury switches”, “tilt switches” or “rolling ball sensors” for obvious reasons. These switches are environmentally safe as they replace the mercury used in older type switches with a rolling metal ball.
When the switch is in vertical position the circuit is closed when tilted 15 degrees ore more circuit is open.
Type: normaly closed
Sensitivity range: > +-15 degrees
Lifetime: 50,000+ cycles
Power supply (MAX): 24V, switching less than 5mA
5 x SW-520D ball switches