How do you differentiate between a paddle switch and a push button in gate control?

• A. A paddle switch is a smaller, momentary contact device used for simple activation.
• B. A push button is a larger, hand-activated sensor used in high-traffic areas.
• C. Push button is a safety interlock that prevents operation.
• D. Paddle switch is a larger, hand-activated sensor suitable for high-traffic areas; push button is a small, momentary contact switch used for simple activation.

Answer: (D)

In gate control, size and actuation style distinguish these two. A paddle switch is large and designed to be hand-activated, making it easy to operate in busy, high-traffic areas without needing precise finger targeting. It’s built for deliberate actuation and can be operated with the whole hand or forearm, which reduces accidental activations in crowded environments. A push button, on the other hand, is small and typically provides momentary contact when pressed with a finger, suited to simple, quick activations in lower-traffic or standard-use scenarios. So the best description is that the paddle switch is larger and hand-activated for high-traffic areas, while the push button is a small, momentary switch used for simple activation.