Switches & Keypads

Switches

An electronic component that is capable of controlling the flow of electric current in a circuit can be termed as a switch. Basically a switch serves the purpose of turning on the circuit and turning off the circuit. A variety of switches are available like single pole single throw, single pole double throw, double pole single throw, double pole double throw. These are all mechanical switches where physical contact is required for its activation. Whereas power diode, transistors, SCRs, MOSFETs, TRIACs, IGBTs, etc. are all electronic switches that does not require physical contact for its activation.

The electronics market has a pool of switches to offer such as

• PCB switches
• Anti Vandal Switches
• Panel Mount Switches
• Sealed Switches :

1. Sealed toggle switches
2. Sealed rocker switches
3. Sealed tact switches

• Illuminated Switches :

1. Illuminated pushbutton switches
2. Illuminated antivandal switches
3. Illuminated sideswitches

• DIP switches
• Rotary switches :

1. One pole rotary switch
2. Two pole rotary switch
3. Three pole rotary switch
4. Four pole rotary switch

• Navigation switches
• Keyboard switches
• Toggle switches :

1. Standard toggle switches
2. Miniature toggle switches
3. Sub-Miniature toggle switches Illuminated toggle switches

• Tactile switches :

1. Standard tactile switches
2. Rectangular tactile switches
3. Right angled tactile switches
4. Illuminated tactile switches

• Slide switches :

1. Miniature slide switches
2. Ultra miniature slide switches
3. Standard slide switches

• Rocker switches :

1. Round rocker switches
2. Rectangular rocker switches
3. Inline rocker switches

Among these variants you can choose the one which certainly suits your requirement.

Keypads 

If a user wants to enter any value into a computer then there has to be an input device that would serve this purpose. And keypad does exactly that. Keypads can be numeric as well as alphanumeric. They can be seen in calculators, aviation equipments, vending machines, ATMs, fitness equipments, digital door locks, healthcare instruments, security systems,  etc. As per your requirement you can choose the wired keypad or the wireless keypad.

Some of the  available variants of  keypads are ;

Plastic keypads – These keypads comes in a variety of matallic colours, different textures, coatings etc. They also have an ability to resist scraping and wearing and one can also select the provided option of with or without backlight solution.

Silicon rubber keypad – These kind of keypads can be witnessed in  Healthcare industry, Automobile industry, Household appliances, etc. They are relatively inexpensive. They can be produced in a variety of textures, colours, prints etc. And backlight keys can also be provided.

UV and Ultra thin keypads – If you intend to buy a thin keypad then you can surely go with these sort of keypads. They also have the ability to resist scraping and wearing since the UV keypad is incorporated with UV resin layer. They can surely have an exquisite appearance with quite good durability.

Tactile keypad – These types of keypads can be generally seen in mobile phones. They are quite cheap and they are easy to use and repair. The keypads can also be classified into some other types such as membrane keypads, capacitive keypads, scissor switch keypad, dome switch keypad, mechanical keypads, buckling spring keypads and hall effect keypads.

The modern keypads include light emitting diodes that blink when the input is provided from the keypad. To make keypads suitable for the outdoor use they can be made waterproof. Also, they can be made resistant to Ultraviolet light. Sometimes the buttons on the keypad are programmed in a particular way, so that they can be provided with an alternate meaning. This is done to improve the input versatility of the keypads.