# IEC mechanical position-switch contact: four-directional lever actuated - normally open Canonical URL: https://eloragrid.ai/symbols/iec-mechanical-position-switch-contact-four-directional-lever-actuated-normally-open Publisher: Elora Grid Updated: 2026-10-28 Lookup label: LS Drawing use: Schematic Reference families: IEC, Manufacturer ## Symbol convention Convention: IEC Form: Four-directional Lever Actuated - Normally Open Autodesk IEC-60617 Symbol Preview: Limit Switches, HLS11S85 / VLS11S85. This identifies the publisher's library context; exact IEC graphics and database identities are not asserted. Mechanical position-switch contact form: Four-directional Lever Actuated - Normally Open. ## In plain English ### What does IEC mechanical position-switch contact: four-directional lever actuated - normally open mean? 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 four-directional lever actuated - normally open form in the publisher's IEC-context family. ### A simple 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-open designation starts with a non-conducting output or open contact in the documented reference condition; operation changes that state. Four operating directions are represented. Identify the direction-to-contact mapping in the mechanical detail rather than assuming one signal applies to every movement. ### What the drawings help you do 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. ### This particular reference Mechanical position-switch contact form: Four-directional Lever Actuated - Normally Open. This entry adds the four-directional lever actuated - normally open 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. ### Terms - Normally open / normally closed: The contact state in the normal condition defined for the drawing. - Signal: Electrical information passed between devices, rather than necessarily the main power supply. - Rating: A value stating the conditions for which equipment is specified. Concept diagram: Identify the device and form → Read the connections and state → Check the equipment reference A guide to reading this reference. The original symbol illustration and its drawing notes appear below; these boxes are not a wiring diagram. - [AutoCAD Electrical: Limit switches](https://help.autodesk.com/cloudhelp/2021/ENU/AutoCAD-Electrical/files/GUID-3CF4BE45-A302-4757-B5C9-C1AFF9BDC512.htm) ## What it represents 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 four-directional lever actuated - normally open 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-open designation starts with a non-conducting output or open contact in the documented reference condition; operation changes that state. Four 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. ## How to read it - The normally-open designation starts with a non-conducting output or open contact in the documented reference condition; operation changes that state. - Four 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. ## Information to show or reference - 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. ## Important distinction This entry adds the four-directional lever actuated - normally open 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 - Drawing form: Four-directional Lever Actuated - Normally Open - Public vendor block names: HLS11S85 / VLS11S85. Autodesk identifiers, not standards database IDs. - Drawing purpose: mechanical position-switch contact - Graphic scope: Independently authored educational illustration; not certified standard geometry, a terminal pinout or a product footprint. ## Public references - [AutoCAD Electrical: Limit switches](https://help.autodesk.com/cloudhelp/2021/ENU/AutoCAD-Electrical/files/GUID-3CF4BE45-A302-4757-B5C9-C1AFF9BDC512.htm) — Autodesk. Public Limit Switches table explicitly lists HLS11S85 / VLS11S85 with this operating or connection form. Vendor graphics are linked, not copied. ## Graphic scope Independent original educational concept illustration by Elora Grid. Not a certified standards graphic or manufacturer footprint. Unitless; not to scale. Original artwork licence: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/. Publisher material is linked only.