Does it matter if the switch is at the beginning or end of a circuit?

Question

I have a circuit with 2 batteries, a hobby motor, and a switch. should the switch be put before or after the motor? does it matter? i know it will work either way but is either a better way?

Answer 1

I am confused what do you mean by before or after the motor. I understand that you have a D.C circuit ,the batteries must be parallel  to the motor and the switch is at one side of the circuit.We always use the switches on the + side of the batteries.If you look at you home in fuse panel you will see that the fuses are connected on phase side.Because the phase is the same thing with the batteries + side.

Answer 2

Since it is a DC circuit, it really does not matter as long as the switch is breaking the current path. In fact the same is true for AC circuits as well.

Most would place the switch "before" the motor.

Answer 3

nope it doesn't matter.

Answer 4

my advise is battery (+) -> switch -> motor -> battery(-)

safety purposes.

Answer 5

In the circ uit mentioned by you , it doesnt matter if the switch is at +ve or -ve terminal. Since the circuit is below 35V, you may proceed. If the voltage is above 10V, then the -ve terminal is recommended to be grounded .Here you must put the switch at the +ve side and the -ve terminal of the load shall be grounded.

Now never compare a dc circuit with an ac circuit. because the switch is connected to the phase and not to the neutral.

Answer 6

It is always better to put the switch between the power source and the load, in this case the motor. This way, there will be no voltage at the motor when the switch is off. This makes it safer. For example if someone touched the lead at the motor, with the switch off, they would not get shocked. If the switch were after the motor and someone touched the motor lead, with the switch off, they would become the path to ground and be shocked.