{"schemaVersion":1,"slug":"iec-mechanical-position-switch-contact-bi-directional-lever-actuated-normally-closed-with-detent","name":"IEC mechanical position-switch contact: bi-directional lever actuated - normally closed with detent","kind":"symbol","abbreviation":"LS","aliases":["HLS12S87","VLS12S87","mechanical position-switch contact Bi-directional Lever Actuated - Normally Closed with Detent"],"category":"control-circuits","drawingTypes":["Schematic"],"referenceFamilies":["IEC","Manufacturer"],"summary":"Mechanical position-switch contact form: Bi-directional Lever Actuated - Normally Closed with Detent.","description":["A mechanically operated position switch changes its contact state when travel, a cam or a lever reaches the documented operating condition. The actuator mark explains how movement reaches the switch; the electrical contact still has to be read in its stated unoperated position. This entry identifies the bi-directional lever actuated - normally closed with detent form in the publisher's IEC-context family.","A moving carriage may operate the switch near the end of travel, or an operator may move a multidirectional lever. Identify the actual direction or target position on the drawing and connect the switch tag to the corresponding mechanical detail. The normally-closed designation starts with a conducting output or closed contact in the documented reference condition; operation changes that state. The detent retains the lever position after actuation; a retained indication and a spring-return position input require different operating logic.","Two operating directions are represented. Identify the direction-to-contact mapping in the mechanical detail rather than assuming one signal applies to every movement. Detents retain an operating position and are different from a spring-return mechanism. The schematic does not supply operating travel, overtravel, contact force or a safety performance level; use the selected switch data for those properties."],"readingNotes":["The normally-closed designation starts with a conducting output or closed contact in the documented reference condition; operation changes that state.","The detent retains the lever position after actuation; a retained indication and a spring-return position input require different operating logic.","Two operating directions are represented. Identify the direction-to-contact mapping in the mechanical detail rather than assuming one signal applies to every movement.","Detents retain an operating position and are different from a spring-return mechanism. The schematic does not supply operating travel, overtravel, contact force or a safety performance level; use the selected switch data for those properties."],"drawingChecklist":["Name the position, movement or event that operates the switch.","Show whether the mechanism returns or remains in a detent.","Match terminals and contact state to the mechanical operating detail."],"distinction":"This entry adds the bi-directional lever actuated - normally closed with detent detail to the broader mechanical position-switch contact family. Detents retain an operating position and are different from a spring-return mechanism. The schematic does not supply operating travel, overtravel, contact force or a safety performance level; use the selected switch data for those properties.","facts":[{"label":"Drawing form","value":"Bi-directional Lever Actuated - Normally Closed with Detent"},{"label":"Public vendor block names","value":"HLS12S87 / VLS12S87. Autodesk identifiers, not standards database IDs."},{"label":"Drawing purpose","value":"mechanical position-switch contact"},{"label":"Graphic scope","value":"Independently authored educational illustration; not certified standard geometry, a terminal pinout or a product footprint."}],"references":[{"sourceId":"pub-symbol-limits","relevance":"Public Limit Switches table explicitly lists HLS12S87 / VLS12S87 with this operating or connection form. Vendor graphics are linked, not copied."}],"related":["normally-open-limit-switch","normally-closed-limit-switch","roller-operated-limit-switch"],"artwork":"s28-iec-mechanical-position-switch-contact-bi-directional-lever-actuated-normally-closed-with-detent","publishedOn":"2026-10-28","updatedOn":"2026-10-28","provenance":"independent-public-research","symbolVariant":{"convention":"IEC","form":"Bi-directional Lever Actuated - Normally Closed with Detent","reference":"Autodesk IEC-60617 Symbol Preview: Limit Switches, HLS12S87 / VLS12S87. This identifies the publisher's library context; exact IEC graphics and database identities are not asserted."},"plainEnglish":{"title":"What does IEC mechanical position-switch contact: bi-directional lever actuated - normally closed with detent mean?","introduction":"A mechanically operated position switch changes its contact state when travel, a cam or a lever reaches the documented operating condition. The operating mechanism mark explains how movement reaches the switch; the electrical contact still has to be read in its stated unoperated position. This entry identifies the bi-directional lever actuated - normally closed with detent form in the publisher's IEC-context family.","example":"A moving carriage may operate the switch near the end of travel, or an operator may move a multidirectional lever. Identify the actual direction or target position on the drawing and connect the switch tag to the corresponding mechanical detail. The normally-closed designation starts with a conducting output or closed contact in the documented reference condition; operation changes that state. The detent retains the lever position after operation; a retained indication and a spring-return position input require different operating logic.","drawings":"Two operating directions are represented. Identify the direction-to-contact mapping in the mechanical detail rather than assuming one signal applies to every movement. Detents retain an operating position and are different from a spring-return mechanism. The schematic does not supply operating travel, overtravel, contact force or a safety performance level; use the selected switch data for those properties.","terms":[{"name":"Normally open / normally closed","meaning":"The contact state in the normal condition defined for the drawing."},{"name":"Signal","meaning":"Electrical information passed between devices, rather than necessarily the main power supply."},{"name":"Rating","meaning":"A value stating the conditions for which equipment is specified."}],"diagram":"flow","steps":["Identify the device and form","Read the connections and state","Check the equipment reference"],"caption":"A guide to reading this reference. The original symbol illustration and its drawing notes appear below; these boxes are not a wiring diagram.","sources":[{"label":"AutoCAD Electrical: Limit switches","url":"https://help.autodesk.com/cloudhelp/2021/ENU/AutoCAD-Electrical/files/GUID-3CF4BE45-A302-4757-B5C9-C1AFF9BDC512.htm"}],"detail":"Mechanical position-switch contact form: Bi-directional Lever Actuated - Normally Closed with Detent. This entry adds the bi-directional lever actuated - normally closed with detent detail to the broader mechanical position-switch contact family. Detents retain an operating position and are different from a spring-return mechanism. The schematic does not supply operating travel, overtravel, contact force or a safety performance level; use the selected switch data for those properties.","profileId":"reviewed-symbol-20261028"},"url":"https://eloragrid.ai/symbols/iec-mechanical-position-switch-contact-bi-directional-lever-actuated-normally-closed-with-detent","illustration":{"url":"https://eloragrid.ai/tools/electrical-library/illustrations/iec-mechanical-position-switch-contact-bi-directional-lever-actuated-normally-closed-with-detent.svg","scope":"Original educational concept; not an official standard graphic or product footprint","license":"https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/"},"sources":[{"id":"pub-symbol-limits","title":"AutoCAD Electrical: Limit switches","publisher":"Autodesk","url":"https://help.autodesk.com/cloudhelp/2021/ENU/AutoCAD-Electrical/files/GUID-3CF4BE45-A302-4757-B5C9-C1AFF9BDC512.htm","type":"cad-reference","scope":"Public vendor catalogue naming and functional variants. Vendor block names are not IEC identifiers. Linked for reference; no graphics or CAD files are redistributed.","checkedOn":"2026-10-13","reuse":"link-only","relevance":"Public Limit Switches table explicitly lists HLS12S87 / VLS12S87 with this operating or connection form. Vendor graphics are linked, not copied."}]}