It is a switch that only changes state once you press it, but that state is only changed for as long as you hold it like that. Once you let go it changes to starting state. (Like on those chinese laser pointers)

Stojke wrote:

It is a switch that only changes state once you press it, but that state is only changed for as long as you hold it like that. Once you let go it changes to starting state. (Like on those chinese laser pointers)

Yep. It's an electrical thing, has nothing to do with the mechanical position of the switch. Pins are connected as long as you hold the button down.

oerk wrote:

Stojke wrote:

It is a switch that only changes state once you press it, but that state is only changed for as long as you hold it like that. Once you let go it changes to starting state. (Like on those chinese laser pointers)

Yep. It's an electrical thing, has nothing to do with the mechanical position of the switch. Pins are connected as long as you hold the button down.

Kinda like a computer reset button 😜

Robin4 wrote:

(so you have two momentums?)

Good guesswork. What fooled you was "momentary switch" is a shortened form. The proper term would be "momentary-contact switch". So, a 'moment in time' rather than a momentum.

If for whatever reason you do not want to swap out your momentary switch for a latching switch, you can turn a momentary switch into a latching switch with some transistors, resistors, and a capacitor. Refer to the prototype diagram in this thread, Cyrix MII-433GP Build

The circuit essentially creates a 1 bit memory cell to recall the previous state. It has worked fine for more me.

Tetrium wrote:

oerk wrote:

Stojke wrote:

It is a switch that only changes state once you press it, but that state is only changed for as long as you hold it like that. Once you let go it changes to starting state. (Like on those chinese laser pointers)

Yep. It's an electrical thing, has nothing to do with the mechanical position of the switch. Pins are connected as long as you hold the button down.

Kinda like a computer reset button 😜

How are called those switches that stays in one position? And when pressed again, that are in normal state like a turbo button switch..

Robin4 wrote:

How are called those switches that stays in one position? And when pressed again, that are in normal state like a turbo button switch..

That's a latched switch.

Are you looking to replace a switch or modify an item with a different switch than what it has? If so, be aware that you need get a switch that can handle the current load that its going to go in circuit with. Or you could end up releasing the magic smoke from said device.

Maybe replace if needed.

Just out of curiosity, what's called a momentary switch with 3 possible positions? Off, on1, on2? Like the one that controls window raisers in modern cars?

Typically, it could be described like you say, "momentary, on-off-on" but also "mom-off-mom".