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Switch vs. Commutator — What's the Difference?

Switch vs. Commutator — What's the Difference?

Difference Between Switch and Commutator

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Switch

In electrical engineering, a switch is an electrical component that can disconnect or connect the conducting path in an electrical circuit, interrupting the electric current or diverting it from one conductor to another. The most common type of switch is an electromechanical device consisting of one or more sets of movable electrical contacts connected to external circuits.

Commutator

In mathematics, the commutator gives an indication of the extent to which a certain binary operation fails to be commutative. There are different definitions used in group theory and ring theory.

Switch

A device for making and breaking the connection in an electric circuit
The guard hit a switch and the gate swung open

Commutator

A cylindrical arrangement of insulated metal bars connected to the coils of a direct-current electric motor or generator, providing a unidirectional current from the generator or a reversal of current into the coils of the motor.

Switch

An act of changing to or adopting one thing in place of another
His friends were surprised at his switch from newspaper owner to farmer
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Commutator

(Mathematics) In a commutative or noncommutative group, an element of the form ghg-1h-1 where g and h are elements of the group. If g and h commute, the commutator is the identity element.

Switch

A slender, flexible shoot cut from a tree.

Commutator

An electrical switch, in a generator or motor, that periodically reverses the direction of an electric current.

Switch

A set of points on a railway track.

Commutator

(group theory) A binary map in a given group G, given by [g, h] = ghg−1h−1, where g and h are elements of G, which yields the group's identity if and only if the group operation commutes for g and h.

Switch

A tress of false or detached hair tied at one end, used in hairdressing to supplement natural hair.

Commutator

(ring theory) A binary map in a given ring R, given by [a, b] = ab − ba, where a and b are elements of R, which yields the ring's zero element if and only if the multiplication operation commutes for a and b.

Switch

Change the position, direction, or focus of
The company switched the boats to other routes

Commutator

A piece of apparatus used for reversing the direction of an electrical current; an attachment to certain electrical machines, by means of which alternating currents are made to be continuous or to have the same direction. It may be attached to the end of the spindle of an electric motor, where a brush is in contact sequentially with the parts of the spindle that conduct current to the different windings of the motor.

Switch

Beat or flick with or as if with a switch.

Commutator

Switch for reversing the direction of an electric current

Switch

An exchange or a swap, especially one done secretly.

Switch

A transference or shift, as of opinion or attention.

Switch

A device used to break or open an electric circuit or to divert current from one conductor to another.

Switch

A device consisting of two sections of railroad track and accompanying apparatus used to transfer rolling stock from one track to another.

Switch

A slender flexible rod, stick, or twig, especially one used for whipping.

Switch

The bushy tip of the tail of certain animals
A cow's switch.

Switch

A thick strand of real or synthetic hair used as part of a coiffure.

Switch

A flailing or lashing, as with a slender rod
Gave the ox a switch.

Switch

To exchange
Asked her brother to switch seats with her.

Switch

To shift, transfer, or divert
Switched the conversation to a lighter subject.

Switch

To connect, disconnect, or divert (an electric current) by operating a switch.

Switch

To cause (an electric current or appliance) to begin or cease operation
Switched the lights on and off.

Switch

(Informal) To produce as if by operating a control. Often used with on
Switched on the charm.

Switch

To move (rolling stock) from one track to another; shunt.

Switch

To whip with a switch, especially in punishing a child.

Switch

To jerk or swish abruptly or sharply
A cat switching its tail.

Switch

To make or undergo a shift or an exchange
The office has switched to shorter summer hours.

Switch

To swish sharply from side to side.

Switch

A device to turn electric current on and off or direct its flow.

Switch

A change or exchange.

Switch

A movable section of railroad track which allows the train to be directed down one of two destination tracks; (set of) points.

Switch

A slender woody plant stem used as a whip; a thin, flexible rod, associated with corporal punishment in the United States.

Switch

(musical instruments) rute.

Switch

(computer science) A command line notation allowing specification of optional behavior.
Use the /b switch to specify black-and-white printing.

Switch

A programming construct that takes different actions depending on the value of an expression.

Switch

A networking device connecting multiple wires, allowing them to communicate simultaneously, when possible. Compare to the less efficient hub device that solely duplicates network packets to each wire.

Switch

(telecommunication) A system of specialized relays, computer hardware, or other equipment which allows the interconnection of a calling party's telephone line with any called party's line.

Switch

(genetics) A mechanism within DNA that activates or deactivates a gene.

Switch

(BDSM) One who is willing to take either a submissive or a dominant role in a sexual relationship.

Switch

(historical) A separate mass or tress of hair, or of some substance (such as jute) made to resemble hair, formerly worn on the head by women.

Switch

(card games) A variant of crazy eights where one card, such as an ace, reverses the direction of play.

Switch

(transitive) To exchange.
I want to switch this red dress for a green one.

Switch

(transitive) To change (something) to the specified state using a switch.
Switch the light on.

Switch

To whip or hit with a switch.

Switch

(intransitive) To change places, tasks, etc.
I want to switch to a different seat.

Switch

To get angry suddenly; to quickly or unreasonably become enraged.

Switch

To swing or whisk.
To switch a cane

Switch

To be swung or whisked.
The angry cat's tail switched back and forth.

Switch

To trim.

Switch

To turn from one railway track to another; to transfer by a switch; generally with off, from, etc.
To switch off a train; to switch a car from one track to another

Switch

(ecclesiastical) To shift to another circuit.

Switch

(snowboarding) Pertaining to riding with the front and back feet swapped round compared to one's normal position.

Switch

Pertaining to skiing backwards.

Switch

A small, flexible twig or rod.
Mauritania, on the fifth medal, leads a horse with something like a thread; in her other hand she holds a switch.

Switch

A movable part of a rail; or of opposite rails, for transferring cars from one track to another.

Switch

A separate mass or trees of hair, or of some substance (at jute) made to resemble hair, worn on the head by women.

Switch

A device for shifting an electric current to another circuit, or for making and breaking a circuit.

Switch

To strike with a switch or small flexible rod; to whip.

Switch

To swing or whisk; as, to switch a cane.

Switch

To trim, as, a hedge.

Switch

To turn from one railway track to another; to transfer by a switch; - generally with off, from, etc.; as, to switch off a train; to switch a car from one track to another.

Switch

To shift to another circuit.

Switch

To walk with a jerk.

Switch

Control consisting of a mechanical or electrical or electronic device for making or breaking or changing the connections in a circuit

Switch

An event in which one thing is substituted for another;
The replacement of lost blood by a transfusion of donor blood

Switch

Hairpiece consisting of a tress of false hair; used by women to give shape to a coiffure

Switch

Railroad track having two movable rails and necessary connections; used to turn a train from one track to another or to store rolling stock

Switch

A flexible implement used as an instrument of punishment

Switch

A basketball maneuver; two defensive players shift assignments so that each guards the player usually guarded by the other

Switch

The act of changing one thing or position for another;
His switch on abortion cost him the election

Switch

Change over, change around, or switch over

Switch

Exchange or give (something) in exchange for

Switch

Lay aside, abandon, or leave for another;
Switch to a different brand of beer
She switched psychiatrists
The car changed lanes

Switch

Make a shift in or exchange of;
First Joe led; then we switched

Switch

Cause to go on or to be engaged or set in operation;
Switch on the light
Throw the lever

Switch

Flog with or as if with a flexible rod

Switch

Reverse (a direction, attitude, or course of action)

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