I ordered this switch:
http://www.mouser.com/Search/ProductDetail.aspx?R=SR2612F-0304-21R0B-D8-Nvirtualkey14860000virtualkey105-SR2612F-34-21RN (http://www.mouser.com/Search/ProductDetail.aspx?R=SR2612F-0304-21R0B-D8-Nvirtualkey14860000virtualkey105-SR2612F-34-21RN)
and I'm preparing a PCB, so i'd like to know in advance how to wire it... i never used one before..
thanks!
Wire it backwards, since it's upside down, so that when you flip it over, it will work like expected.
It's got 3 poles, so in the middle there will be 3 common lugs/pins - one for each pole.
Of the 12 pins around the outer, there are 4 in sequence belonging to one of each of the 3 poles.
The case has the pins numbered 1 to 12 as if it was a 1 pole 12 position switch.
I think one pole at least uses positions 1 to 4 as marked, the next is 5-8 then 9-12 and the middle pin nearest these is common.
Honestly, the best way to approach these it to get the switch in your hands, 3 different colour marker pens and figure it out with a DMM on continuity beep, marking the pins with a dab of colour like red for pole A and position 1 pin and so on.
Armed with confidence that you know exactly what the pins do, you can design your pcb.
If you search the internet, you may find some already done. Google just found me this 2pole-6way example - of which only one pole is used, but it gives some idea...
(http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-W1R-2s_6rRE/VWXXbM-4NjI/AAAAAAAAFEE/N6cmGkylrjg/w1200-h630-p-nu/Rotary%2BClipping%2BSwitch.png)
Great advice from anotherjim, but you don't say what you want the switch to actually do. This makes it impossible to say how to wire it for your application, a few details would help to get a good wiring diagram or if it is indeed suitable for what you need.