Friday, June 4, 2010
Friday, May 28, 2010
Switch Glossary of Terms
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Actuator: The mechanical interface between the basic switch contacts and the means of operation, such as the operator’s finger.
Actuation Force: The required force to change a circuit’s electrical state.
Alternate Action Switch: A Pushbutton style switch where the change of the electrical state is maintained between actuations.
Ampere: A unit of electrical current flow.
Base (Housing): A base of a switch is the main member to which the conducting parts or insulator unit are attached. It may also have parts of the operating or control mechanism attached.
Bounce: Rebounding of moving contact against fixed contact during transfer.
Break: Interruption of a circuit. Double-break occurs when a single mechanism interrupts two contacts simultaneously.
Break Before Make: The term given to a double throw switch where the first circuit is opened before the second circuit is closed.
Capacity: Usually refers to the current handling capability of a switch.
Chatter: Rapid opening and closing of contacts, usually exhibited during extreme vibration and/or shock.
Clearance (Spacing): Distance through air between electrically live parts of opposite polarity or to ground.
Contact: The contact is a conducting part designed to be united by pressure to another conducting part for the purpose of carrying current.
Contact Bounce: Oscillation of the movable contact upon closure of the circuit.
Contact Gap: The minimum distance between the fixed and moveable contacts.
Contact Resistance: The resistance of current flow across closed contacts.
Dead-Break: Open circuit condition, usually caused when slowly actuating snap-action switches. Results from low contact pressure or contact lift-off.
Detent: Feature that indicates actuation point has been reached. Can also be referred to as tactile feel.
Dielectric Strength: The ability of an insulating material to resist voltage from arcing across its surface.
Differential: Distance between trip point (or force) and reset point (or force).
Double-Break: A mechanism that breaks the circuit at two points simultaneously by means of a “shorting bar” like device.
Double-Throw: Contact arrangement that alternately transfers normally open and normally closed circuits.
Dust-Tight: Sealed switch will withstand sand and dust contamination.
Electrical Life: Expected cycle life when switch is operated at full rated load.
Free Position: Point at which plunger exists in the un-operated condition.
Insulation Resistance: The resistance to current flow of the insulating materials between contacts.
Lever Actuator: A device, hinged or spring type, applied to a basic switch to facilitate its application.
Make Before Break: The term given to a double throw switch when the second circuit is closed before the first circuit is opened.
Momentary Action Switch: The term given to a switch where a circuit is continuously closed or opened only when force is applied. The electrical state returns to its normal position when the force is removed.
Normally Closed: The term given to a switch where a circuit is closed in the normal switch position.
Normally Open: The term given to a switch where a circuit is open in the normal switch position.
Operating Point: Point at which contacts transfer. Usually measured from the switch mounting holes.
Over Travel: The distance an actuator travels after the circuit is closed.
Pole: The term to denote a completely separate circuit, which passes through a switch at one time.
Pre Travel: The movement of the actuator prior to closing the circuit. Sometimes identical to “Travel to Make”.
Reset Point: Point at which contact resumes normal position. Single-Break: Mechanism that transfers one contact.
Single Throw Switch: A single throw switch is a switch by means of which the circuit can be opened or closed by moving the switch blade into or out of one set of contacts only.
Snap Action: The abrupt transfer of contacts from one position to another. This action is relatively independent of the speed of actuator travel.
Splash Proof: Sealed switch will withstand heavy rain or stream of water.
Switch: A switch is a device for making, breaking, or changing the connections in an electric circuit.
Switch Abbreviations:
N.C.: Normally Closed circuit
N.O.: Normally Open circuit
SPST: Single Pole Single Throw
SPDT: Single Pole Double Throw
DPST: Double Pole Single Throw
DPDT: Double Pole Double Throw
MBB: Make Before Break
BBM: Break Before Make
Throw: The term denotes the number of positions in which a given pole is closed.
Travel to Make: The distance parallel to the designated direction of the actuator movement at which point a circuit is closed.
Watertight: Sealed switch will withstand submersion to various depths depending on specification level.
Wiping Action: Lateral travel of movable contact over fixed contact while pressure between the two contacts exists. Occurs during plunger travel. This action helps clean the contacts of contamination.
Wednesday, May 26, 2010
E-Switch offers many cap options for our switches
How do I know if a cap is available for a switch?
If you would like to see a list of our full cap options, you can click here. Otherwise here is an index:
TL1105SP
Cap Option: 1C, 1D, 1S, 1R
TL1105JA
Cap Option: 1C, 1D, 1S, 1R
TL59SP
Cap Option: 1C, 1D, 1S, 1R
TL3301SP
Cap Option: 1C, 1D, 1S, 1R
TL1100A
Cap Option: .08, .09, .094, 4J, 5J, 6J, 8J
TL1240
Cap Option: 1J, 2J, 3J
TL2201 (Z actuator)
Cap Option: 1C, 1D, 1R
TL4201 (Z actuator)
Cap Option: 1C, 1D, 1R
TL2201 (Y actuator)
Cap Option: .08, .09, .094, 4J, 5J, 6J
TL4201 (Y actuator)
Cap Option: .08, .09, .094, 4J, 5J, 6J
TL6100
Cap Option: contact our sales department
PBH
Cap Option: 1C, 1D, 1S, 1R
LC1257
Cap Option: 1C, 1D, 1S, 1R
LC1258
Cap Option: 1C, 1D, 1R
LC2256
Cap Option: TAC, TAD, TAG, TA12, .08, .09, .094, 4J, 5J, 6J, 8J, TAO-BLK
LC2255
Cap Option: TAC, TAD, TAG, TA12, .08, .09, .094
LC2258
Cap Option: 1C, 1D, 1S, 1R
LC2259
Cap Option: 1C, 1D, 1S, 1R
P197
Cap Option: TAC, TAD, TAG, TAM, .08, .09, .094
P297
Cap Option: TAC, TAD, TAG, TAM, .08, .09, .094
P227
Cap Option: TAC, TAD, TAG, TAM, TAM JN, TA12, .08, .09, .094, 4J, 5J, 6J, 8J, TAO-BLK
320.02
Cap Option: .08, .09, .094, 4J, 5J, 6J, 8J, TAC
320.03
Cap Option: .08, .09, .094, 4J, 5J, 6J, 8J, TAC, TA2800, TA12
700
Cap Option: 700C1, 700C2, 700C3
800 (except B8, B9 bushing)
Cap Option: 800C1, 800C2, 800AC1
800 (with B8, B9 bushing)
Cap Option: 800C3, 700C3
800A
Cap Option: 800C1, 800AC1, 800AC2
800B
Cap Option: 800C1, 800AC1, 800AC2
TL1100C
Cap Option: .08, .09, .094, 4J, 5J, 6J, 8J
LC2251
Cap Option: 1C, 1D, 1S, 1R
LC2254
Cap Option: TAC, TAD, TAG, TA12, .08, .09, .094
Monday, May 24, 2010
How do I know if a specific switch is RoHS certified?
How do I know if a specific switch is RoHS certified?
It is a safe assumption to note that all our switches comply with RoHS standards. You can find our complete library of RoHS certifications by part number, here. You can also check in our product catalog for a specific switch. The link for the direct RoHS certificate will be on the product detail page.
Friday, May 21, 2010
Recommended Soldering Guidelines for Switches
Recommended Soldering Guidelines for Switches
Most contamination problems can be prevented by exercising care during the cleaning and soldering process. Care should be taken not to immerse or spray unsealed switches during flux removal. Contact E-Switch for specific soldering recommendations and specifications not found in this catalog. Generalized soldering procedures are outlined below.
HAND SOLDERING AND TEMPERATURES
Recommend soldering irons of 30 watt maximum with a tip temperature of 345°C (650°F) for 2-3 seconds and solder of 0.030 - 0.040 diameter.
SMT REFLOW (LEAD AND LEAD-FREE)
Classification Reflow Profile
WAVE SOLDER TIME AND TEMPERATURES
When wave soldering, we recommend using a no-clean flux soldering process, rather than a process that requires washing. The fluxing process must be controlled so as not to have flux migrate inside the switch.
WAVE SOLDER
(Includes Pb-Free, max component side preheat temp-130°C)
Good venting is required. No-clean flux vapors can enter the switch if adequate venting is not available. The vapors will condense on the internal contacts and become an insulator when they solidify.
· Preheat temperature/time: Circumferential temperature of the p.c. board not to exceed 100°C (212°F) for 60 seconds.
· Soldering temperature/time: not to exceed 260°C (500°F) for 5 seconds.
Thursday, May 20, 2010
All about IP ratings - Ingress Protection
What are the different IP switch seal ratings and what do they mean?
Water-Wash, Process-Sealed, IP67 Switch Seal Rating
Definition of IP Codes (Ingress Protection):
IEC (International Electrotechnical Commission) 60529 Standards document specifies an international Classification system for the sealing effectiveness of enclosures of electrical equipment against the "Intrusion into the equipment of foreign bodies and moisture".
1. Degrees of Protection - First Digit
6 Dust-tight
2. Degrees of Protection - Second Digit
7 Protection against effects of immersion from 15cm to 1m (6" to 40").
Based on the above, our standard for defining a "process-sealed" switch is "sealed to meet the minimum requirements of IP-67". This means that a switch rated to IP-67 is "Dust-tight" and will pass a water submersion test at 40" (1m), for up to 30 minutes.
Due to the variables encountered in actual water-wash machine processing, IP67 does not necessarily insure that water entry into the switch cannot occur. the water-wash pressures and air-knife drying that occurs in modern pcb machine-washing can exceed the seal requirements of the IP-67 rating.
Monday, May 17, 2010
Did you know: E-Switch has an Oval Power Rocker Switch!
RE1 Series Oval Power Rocker Switches
The RE1 series illuminated power oval rocker switch features a unique oval shape and high ratings with UL and VDE approvals. Certifications 
SPECIFICATIONS
RATING:
Rating Option C:
16A 125VAC [UL, cUL]
10A 250VAC [UL, cUL]
1/3HP 125/250VAC [UL, cUL]
10(4)A 250V~ 1E4 T125 [VDE]
10(2)A 250V~ 5E4 T85 [VDE]
10A 125VAC [UL, cUL]
6(2)A 250V~ 1E4 T125 [VDE] TEMPERATURE: -20°C to 105°C [UL, cUL]
-20°C to 125°C [VDE]
ELECTRICAL LIFE: 10,000 Cycles
CONTACT RESISTANCE: 35mΩ Max.
INSULATION RESISTANCE: 100MΩ Min. at 500VDC
DIELECTRIC STRENGTH: 1,500VAC for 1 Minute MATERIALS
BODY: Polyamide 6/6, UL94 V-2
ACTUATOR: Polyamide 6/6, UL94 V-2
Polycarbonate, UL94 V-2
CONTACTS: Silver Alloy
TERMINALS: Silver Plated Copper
