Bat Toggle Switches: Maintained VS Momentary

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How do bat toggle switches work?

A bat toggle switch works by moving the switch position to open or close an electrical circuit. When the switch is activated, the power flows to the connected piece of equipment. Within the switch body, metal components either connect (power on, closed circuit) or disconnect (power off, open circuit) depending on the position of the switch's lever.

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What types of bat toggle switches are available?

Bat toggle switches are available in a multitude of configurations, but they all fall into one of two categories: maintained (standard) or momentary. Regardless of the type of switch, the main function stays the same: to allow power to flow to a piece of equipment. The difference is in the internal components of the switch, which determine whether it will maintain the closed circuit or release it. Basically, the maintained switch will continue to send power until the switch lever is flipped, whereas the momentary switch will stop sending power once the switch is released. Let’s dig deeper on this topic.

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What is the difference between maintained (standard) and momentary switches?

As we said above, the difference between maintained and momentary lies in how the power flow is interrupted. A simple way to think about it is that a maintained switch works like a light switch where once it is in the “on” position, it will stay there until moved to the “off” position.  By contrast, the momentary switch works more like a car horn, where if you hold it down, the horn makes noise, but once you release it, the momentary action stops. Here is a handy chart that breaks down the differences between the two types.

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Where is each type designed to excel?

Although they are similar, each toggle switch type is designed for very specific purposes.

Maintained switches

Maintained switches are used in applications where the power needs to flow or be interrupted continuously until the other position is desired. For example, lighting is something you would use a maintained switch to operate. Otherwise, the moment you release the switch, the light will go out. Other examples would be powering bilge pumps, blowers, master power, or any other piece of equipment that would require consistent power to operate.

Momentary switches

Momentary switches are the ideal choice for applications that require temporary activation of equipment. For example, the starter on your boat motor would not be as efficient if activated by a maintained switch. Leaving the starter running longer would likely damage the starter itself. Other examples include operating trim tabs or jack plates where precise adjustments are needed.

One product that could go either way would be wipers. Some people may want wipers to run constantly until deactivated manually, whereas other operators may prefer that the wipers only function in short burst while the switch is held.

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How do I determine which switch is right for my application?

Once you know whether you need to use a maintained switch or a momentary switch, the next step is to determine what positions your switch will need to have. This is determined by the function of the equipment you intend to operate. You will need to know whether you want a single-pole switch or a double-pole switch. Look at the chart below to determine the exact part you need to get your project completed as well as the specifications that apply to all Pacer bat toggle switches. As always, if you have a question about this or any other Pacer product, contact a Pacer expert today.

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Switch Function	Momentary	Description	Pacer Part Number
SINGLE POLE SWITCHES
ON-OFF	No	Single Pole Single Throw	ES-B2FA54
ON-ON	No	Single Pole Double Throw	ES-B2FB54
ON-OFF-ON	No	Single Pole Double Throw	ES-B2FC54
ON-ON-ON	No	Single Pole Triple Throw	ES-B2GE54
(ON)-OFF	Yes (ON)	Single Pole Single Throw	ES-B6FA54
ON-(OFF)	Yes (OFF)	Single Pole Single Throw	ES-B6FA58
ON-(ON)	Yes (ON)	Single Pole Double Throw	ES-B6FB54
(ON)-OFF-(ON)	Yes (ON)	Single Pole Double Throw	ES-B6FC54
ON-OFF-(ON)	Yes (ON)	Single Pole Double Throw	ES-B6FC58
DOUBLE POLE SWITCHES
ON-OFF	No	Double Pole Single Throw	ES-B2GK54
ON-ON	No	Double Pole Double Throw	ES-B2GL54
ON-OFF-ON	No	Double Pole Double Throw	ES-B2GM54
(ON)-OFF	Yes (ON)	Double Pole Single Throw	ES-B2GK5E
ON-(OFF)	Yes (OFF)	Double Pole Single Throw	ES-B2GK5S
ON-(ON)	Yes (ON)	Double Pole Double Throw	ES-B2GL5E
(ON)-OFF-(ON)	Yes (ON)	Double Pole Double Throw	ES-B2GM5S
ON-OFF-(ON)	Yes (ON)	Double Pole Double Throw	ES-B6GM5E
(ON)-ON-OFF	Yes (ON)	Progressive	ES-B2GG54

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Pacer Bat Toggle Switch Specifications

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