Tact Switch Accessories: Designing a Better Button Interface

A tact switch is not often used by itself in a completed electronic product. The switch is usually soldered to the PCB; however, the users typically press the keycap, molded button, plunger or flexible membrane that overlies it. These components tend to be considered as minor accessories. It's basically how they know if the button feels accurate ... Read more

White Rocker Switch Selection for Clean and Consistent Product Design

A white rocker switch is frequently chosen because it seamlessly fits in appliances, lighting devices, medical gadgets, and light-colored control panels. It can be minimal and simple, but it takes more control to get that clean look as opposed to “white” being picked from a color list. Two white plastics can look the same when they ... Read more

Carbon Fiber Rocker Switch Panel: A Practical Selection Guide

Centralized control of lighting, pumps, fans, auxiliary power and other electrical accessories is possible with a carbon fiber rocker switch panel. It's often used in applications such as boats, RVs, off-road vehicles and special equipment, where multiple circuits need to be controlled from a single small space. But looks aren't all it is about. The long-term ... Read more

Horizontal Rocker Switch: Make Left and Right Mean Something

A horizontal rocker switch can be very apparent on a drawing. Press left side for one state press right side for other state. Things begin to get confused after a few teams get in the mix. The electrical drawing puts the ON terminal on one side; the enclosure artwork puts the ON symbol on the ... Read more

Tact Switch Protect Guide: Stop Button Failures Early

A tact switch can last for thousands of times on the engineer's workbench, and fail early after the enclosure is built. This isn't often the only cause. A keycap is pressed at an angle, the housing permits excessive key travel, cleaning solution gets on the metal dome, or static electricity is transferred from users fingers ... Read more

Waterproof USB Connector: Seal the Device, Not Just the Port

A waterproof USB connector is one that will generally pass the sample review without any problem. It seems to be the real problem that comes later after the product has been exposed to rain, washed, dropped or charged while wet. Water will not get in through the front opening. It can wrap around the connector ... Read more

6 Position Slide Switch: Make Six States Easy to Use

It is easy to get the 6 position slide switch, but when the team begins to identify the 6 positions, it gets complicated. Is it 6 fan speeds, 5 fan speeds (including OFF), 6 audio inputs or 6 service modes? If the circuit goes off when it switches between positions, should one of the contacts ... Read more

Vertical Slide Switch: Design the Motion Before Choosing the Part

Many times, a vertical slide switch is the simplest component on a PCB. After that the first enclosure sample comes in. The actuator is too low, the plastic slider is rubbing against the panel slot or the user must push sideways while the switch body is pushing. All of these issues start with electrical performance ... Read more

Mini Slide Switch Contact Materials and Electrical Performance

A Mini Slide Switch is widely used for power control, mode selection, signal routing, and function configuration in compact electronic devices. Although its housing is small, the internal contacts must provide stable conductivity within limited mechanical space. Selecting the wrong contact material can increase contact resistance, cause intermittent signals, generate excessive heat, or shorten electrical ... Read more

Sliding Door Limit Switch Specifications Buyers Should Compare

A Sliding Door Limit Switch determines if a door is in a fully open, fully closed, or any intermediate position and sends the relevant information to a controller, motor, alarm, or safety interlock. Switches that may look similar could have differences in multiple areas such as service life, environment protection, and electrical rating among others. ... Read more