Illumination is growing design focus for many new switch applications

Paul Boughton
Illumination is a key attribute when designing-in a switch for many applications these days. When encompassed with the broad range of LED options both in size and colour, the design engineer can add aesthetic value to his product and also help to reduce cost.

The electronics industry, says E-Switch Inc, is going to demand more compact designed switches that incorporate illumination into them. The new and future product focus will be geared toward this added value in low cost switches and in right angle product offerings.

When a switch offers illumination options - especially low power consumption LEDs - you not only save space but also save money and production time.

E-Switch has a wide array of newly released illuminated tactile and pushbutton switches, to help the design engineer save time, money and space on their PC board.

As the end products are becoming smaller, having a tiny tact switch with LEDs in it - and other options like being surface mount or right angle mount - can be helpful.

For example, E-Switch's LP1 series is an illuminated round pushbutton switch which features multiple LED colour options of blue, green, red, white and yellow. This illuminated switch is panel mount and is a momentary switch.

Specifications include:

- Electrical Life - 50 000 cycles.

- Operating Force - 250+/-100 gf.

- Travel - 1.88+/-0.3mm.

- Contact Rating - 100mA@30Vdc.

- Contact Resistance - 50milliohms (initial max).

- Insulation Resistance - 100Megaohms (Min@500Vdc).

- Dielectric Strength - 500Vac.

- Operating Temperature - -40°C to 85°C.

Markets for the LP1 series include consumer electronics, audio/visual, medical, testing and instrumentation, telecommunications, and computer/servers/peripherals, etc.

Other recently launches include new lines of snap-action switches; slide switches; sealed, illuminated pushbutton switches; SMT pushbutton switches; and illuminated rocker switches.

Enter 25A or XX at www.engineerlive.com/ede

E-Switch Inc is based Minneapolis, MN, USA. www.e-switch.com

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