Dual-circuit tact switch operates in harsh environments

By Heather Hamilton, contributing writer

C&K expands its KSC range of tactile switches with a new dual-circuit tact switch that can operate in harsh environments, including automotive, industrial, and medical industries. The KSC-DCT offers SPDT NC-NO dual-circuit functionality, providing two outputs from one input. It comes in a small PCB-mount package (6.2 × 6.2 × 2.9 mm), with an included silicone 70SH actuator that extends the height to 5.2 mm above the PCB surface for easy operation and easier integration through pre-/post-travel, said the company.

The switches are rated for 300,000 operations, require an operating force of 4.75 N, and provide a nominal travel distance of 0.85 mm. They use C&K’s haptics and “provide excellent levels of feedback when pressed,” according to the company. The switches operate in a temperature range of −40°C to 85°C and are IP67-sealed, making them suitable for harsh environments, particularly in industrial, medical, and automotive industries.

The KSC-DSC tact switch is the first SMT tact switch with an IP67 rating in the 6.2 × 6.2-mm package to offer SPDT functionality, according to C&K.  The company also claimed that it is the “smallest and lowest-cost alternative to snap switches currently available.”

The KSC-DCT switch is lead-free reflow-compatible. The switches are supplied in 1,000-piece reels to allow for automated pick-and-place processing. Design engineers can find 3D models in various file formats on the C&K website.