1970 RR headlight switch question

[Lucky LAr]

I pulled out my headlight switch (original) after checking the fuse
Because the tail lights & dash lights stopped working
I Was able to take it apart, clean it up,
put it back together, without breaking something (amazing)
now it works again (amazing X 2)
*
I noticed that there is a set of contact points inside of the switch
*
Can somebody tell me what these points do & how they work?
*
I cleaned the contacts just like a set of ignition points, not sure if that fixed my problem or just cleaning up the other electrical connections fixed it ???
*
Any electrical experts out there that know what these points do & how they work?
*
just want to learn something new to m
*
Thanks Larry

 

[Big John]

That would be the internal circuit breaker for the headlights.

 

[Lucky LAr]

That would be the internal circuit breaker for the headlights.

do you know what makes the contacts open?

 

[Russ69Runner]

I would think that it is bimetal and opens when it get's to a certain temp. The metal bend's when it get's hot enough.

 

[Big John]

do you know what makes the contacts open?

The short answer is a short or some sort of overload in the circuit.

Russ explained how it works.

 

[Lucky LAr]

Ok thanks for the info ,makes sense now