Tilt switches sense tilt over 360° of a vertical axis. A common use is in portable heaters prevent electrical shock or fire. When the heater tilts more than a specified angle, the switch operates turning the heater off. This angle, called the operating angle, describes the angle from vertical to the point of contact operation, subject to a tolerance, ie. 40° ± 10° (30° to 50°). Both normally closed (tilt to open) and normally open (tilt to close) switches are available.
Some additional applications include: table lamps, PC anti-theft devices, vending-machine alarms and machinery security systems, fishing floats. etc