Low priced sub-miniature tact switches for home automation

With printed circuit board (PCB) space at a premium within consumer electronics devices, these ultra-compact switches address the growing need for high quality and competitively priced switch solutions for large scale manufacturing.

Enabling flexibility to electronics designers to add other components on the PCB which would otherwise be space reserved for a bigger switch, the PTS636 switch has a 6x3.5mm footprint and an adjustable thickness of 2.5, 4.3 and 5mm while the PTS526 offers a 5.2x5.2mm footprint and an adjustable thickness of 0.8mm up to 2.0mm.

With a large actuation surface for easier integration, both switches are ideally suited to applications such as home automation, Internet of Things (IoT) devices and e-cigarettes, as well as control systems for items such as drones, e-bikes and robot vacuum cleaners. 

The PTS526 and PTS636 switches are manufactured in surface-mount technology (SMT) format (the PTS636 is additionally made in through hole format) and use a hard actuator, ensuring that it can be fully integrated into standard processes, with no need for an additional interface button, reducing time and costs for the end equipment manufacturer. They provide optimum performance and retains high reliability up to 500,000 cycles.

“By offering only the most common versions used by the market, C&K has designed these market-standard switches to meet the needs of many commercial applications, which do not require ultra-performance levels and instead delivers economical pricing whilst retaining rigid quality control,” said Jérôme Smolinski, Global Product Manager, Tact Switches at C&K.

The PTS636 design includes a 2.5 mm height version with integrated ground pin while the PTS 526 design includes version with integrated ground pin. With ESD protection soldered to the PCB makes an easy routing of unwanted electrical overload.

The PTS 636 is available in four different operating-force levels 130gf, 180gf, 250gf and 320gf, while customers of the PTS 526 can choose from three actuation forces: 160gf, 260gf and 320gf. Both sets of switches are rated at 50mA, has a bounce time of less than ten milliseconds and an operating temperature range of -20 to +70°C.