Learning Center

What a Hall Sensor Does  A Hall sensor reads the position of a magnet built into the pedal. As the treadle moves, the sensor picks up the change in magnetic field and turns it into an electrical signal.  Unlike a microswitch, which gives a distinct click when it’s activated, a Hall sensor moves silently. That ...

How Wireless Foot Switches Manage Power and Battery Life   In a wireless foot switch, the processor and the communication system use the most power. The communication device, typically the radio chip that enables wireless transmission, is one of the highest power consumers in the circuit.  To conserve energy, the circuit is designed to complete its ...

What Is an Air Switch? An air switch is a non-electric device that controls the flow of compressed air to power a pneumatic tool or mechanism. Unlike electrical switches, air switches don’t involve any circuitry or wiring. When the actuator is pressed, a valve opens that allows for compressed air to flow through tubing and ...

Inside a foot switch, the PCBA acts as the core of the circuit. It connects all electrical components to make sure the switch performs as intended. A PCB is simply a bare board, while a PCBA includes all the mounted components that make the circuit function. Whether the goal is signal control, variable output, or ...

What’s the Actual Risk if a Foot Switch Activates Unintentionally   Even in controlled settings an unintended press of a foot switch can trigger motion or power in ways that put people and equipment at risk.  In medical applications an accidental press could cause bodily injury. Guards help reduce that risk, but other issues can still ...

A legacy That Started in 1952 In the early 50’s, foot switches were still a small corner of the component world. Linemaster saw something different. By pairing tough housings with dependable microswitches, the company demonstrated that foot controlled operation could be both safer and more efficient than hand operated alternatives.   Decades later, that same focus ...

Different Niches, Different Strengths Competitors that focus primarily on industrial environments often build switches designed for rugged durability and harsh conditions. Their catalogs emphasize explosion proof designs, heavy duty housings, and products suited for automation or factory safety. These companies excel when reliability under extreme stress is the only requirement, but many do not extend ...

From Necessity to Industry Standard In 1937, Albert Simmonds founded the Simonds Machine Company in Southbridge, Massachusetts. He recognized that operators needed a way to keep their hands free while running equipment, which led to the creation of a reliable and easy to use foot switch. That simple need became the foundation for Linemaster. By ...

Common Uses of Foot Switches  Foot switches are designed for hands free operation, which makes them especially useful in environments where efficiency, safety, and accuracy are priorities. In medical settings they are used to control surgical tools, dental chairs, and imaging systems where sterile operation is essential. In industrial applications they help run factory machinery, ...

What Makes a Switch “Special”?  A switch is considered special the moment it deviates from a catalog model. This can be something as simple as extending a cord length, selecting a different connector, or updating a label with a customer part number. Even though these changes appear minor, they require documentation, validation, and tracking to ...