In any restaurant or commercial kitchen, the possibility of fire is always a significant concern. The presence of grease, oil, and open flames in a hectic environment increases the chances dramatically, but with the proper equipment in place, you can prevent fires or limit the damage they cause. As part of a kitchen hood system, microswitches can play an important role in fire prevention by controlling airflow and turning vital equipment on or off.
At United Fire Protection, we install and replace microswitches in kitchen hood suppression systems and related equipment. Our company has been providing commercial fire protection services throughout Central Florida since 1994, including the areas of Orlando, Tampa, DeLand, Lakeland, Kissimmee, and beyond. From fire alarm and sprinkler installations to fire extinguisher services, you can count on our team for all your fire protection needs.
Call us today at (407) 218-8348 or contact us online to learn more about our fire protection services for your Central Florida business.
What are Microswitches?
Microswitches are small, durable switches that are often activated by physical movements like a door opening or a rush of air passing by. They offer fast, repeatable state changes that make them ideal for controlling electrical circuits. In kitchen hood systems, they can turn equipment like make-up air units, exhaust fans, or gas valve actuators on or off. Microswitches are available with six common types of actuators:
- A plunger
- A roller
- A wire or whisker
- A sail or paddle
- A float
- A leaf
The different actuators allow the microswitch to be activated by a range of motions, from physical contact to pressure, air currents, or liquid levels.
How Do Microswitches Help to Prevent Fires?
Fires need a source of oxygen and a source of fuel to continue burning. When a fire is detected in a kitchen hood system, microswitches can be used to:
- Shut off the make-up unit, depriving the fire of fresh air
- Shut off the gas valve, eliminating a source of fuel
- Shut off all other electrical circuits to prevent ignition
- Keep the exhaust fans on to remove smoke and fumes
Relays may be used in combination with microswitches to handle high-current loads or multiple devices.
To learn more about fire suppression microswitches and their role in your fire safety strategy, contact us today.
The Benefits of Microswitches
Because of the unique design of the springs, actuators, and contacts in microswitches, they offer several unique benefits:
- High reliability and long service life
- Great durability even with excessive forces applied
- Accurate, repeatable switch points
- Precision control of a wide range of devices
- Flexible wiring options for multiple applications
For fire suppression systems, microswitches offer impressive reliability and long-term performance, ensuring that your suppression systems activate properly during an emergency.
Microswitch Installations in Central Florida
When your restaurant or commercial kitchen needs new microswitches installed, choose our team at United Fire Protection. We install and replace microswitches in kitchen hoods and related systems. Our experts know how to connect a microswitch properly for normally closed circuits or normally open circuits, or for switching power between two devices. Most microswitch installations take less than an hour, though the total time will depend on the location of the switch and the complexity of the circuit.
Contact us today for a microswitch replacement anywhere in Tampa, St. Petersburg, Deltona, or the surrounding areas.
Call Today for Microswitch Services in Orlando, Florida
Make sure your kitchen fire suppression system is ready for an emergency with microswitch installations and replacements from United Fire Protection.
Call (407) 218-8348 or contact us online to schedule a microswitch installation today.