Frequently Asked Questions

For the latest updates regarding our tariff, please follow the provided links for notices outlining the current effective details:

• Update #1 (Dated 02/10/25)
• Update #2 (Dated 03/10/25)
• Update #3 (Dated 03/13/25)

We appreciate your understanding and cooperation during this transition. Should you have any questions or need further clarification, please do not hesitate to reach out to us. We are here to assist you in any way we can.

On the product detail page of every series you will find information about the switch. If it is washable or sealed to a certain IP rating, it will list it on the product detail page. To get to the product detail page, go to our product catalog and search by type or by feature. We have a section of sealed switches here.

If you’re looking for sealed, washable tact switches, take a look at our complete selection right here.

Use the percent symbol % as a wildcard in the searchbox. For example, if you wanted to find all of the PV4 switches that have 12Vblue ring illumination, search for PV4%344. You could also search for switches that have a 100 gram operating force with the term %F100.

If a specific product uses caps, the cap options are listed on the product detail page on a tab toward the bottom. If you would like to see a list of our full cap options, you can click here.

They can range from 5,000 to 10,000 hours.

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.

We have solder profile recommendations for hand soldering, SMT reflow and wave soldering processes. You can find our recommendations here.

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.

E-Switch has a variety of certifications. All our certifications can be found on the individual product detail page, with a link to the file numbers. We also have our certifications listed here.

The vast majority of caps and buttons are molded using ABS (acrylonitrile butadiene styrene). This plastic is chosen because of its excellent mold and surface finish qualities, and since the cap or button is a “first surface” which is seen by the user, quality of finish is very important. Also the ability to accept a wide range of color pigments, along with good general mechanical properties, including the molding of “snap-on features” typically required, makes ABS the preferred material for caps and buttons.

However, ABS has low softening and melting temperatures, typically around 100C and 120C respectively. Continuous service temperature of 70C is typically the maximum that ABS can withstand. What this means is that ABS is NOT suitable for automated solder processing, either wave or SMT. The typical preheat temperatures for wave solder are about 150C to 160C, and higher top-side board temperatures are seen when passing over the solder wave. This will distort or melt the caps, and therefore it is recommended to install the caps after any wave solder processing. SMT is even hotter, so ABS can never be considered for SMT.

Some ABS variants may withstand the wave solder process, but this will have to be evaluated on an individual basis by the customer using their specific equipment and processing parameters. Flame retardant additives can increase the softening and melting temps, but again these require evaluation by the customer with their specific processing equipment.

In summary, ABS is used for caps because it has excellent molding and cosmetic properties, but it is typically not suitable for automated manufacturing processing that exceeds 100C, or for end-use applications that exceed 70C.

Choosing the right switch depends on the application’s electrical, mechanical and environmental requirements. Consider the switch type, voltage and current rating, circuit configuration, mounting method, actuator style, operating force, environmental conditions, electrical and mechanical life, and whether momentary or latching operation is required. Check out the E-Switch product catalog.

The best switch type depends on how the switch will be used. E-Switch offers multiple switch categories, including pushbutton, tactile, toggle, rocker, slide, DIP, rotary, keylock, anti-vandal, emergency stop, snap-action and touch sensor switches. Consider how the switch will be actuated, where it will be mounted and what electrical and environmental requirements it must meet.

A momentary switch changes state while the actuator is being pressed and returns to its original state when released. A latching switch maintains its new state after the actuator is released until it is actuated again. The appropriate configuration depends on how the switch needs to control the application. Learn more here.

A normally open (NO) switch has contacts that are open when the switch is in its normal, unactuated state and close when activated. A normally closed (NC) switch has contacts that are closed in its normal state and open when activated. The appropriate configuration depends on how the circuit needs to operate before and after the switch is actuated. Learn more here.

These abbreviations describe a switch’s poles and throws. SPST means single pole, single throw; SPDT means single pole, double throw; DPST means double pole, single throw; and DPDT means double pole, double throw. The appropriate configuration depends on how many circuits need to be controlled and how the contacts need to operate. Learn more here.

A switch’s electrical rating indicates the electrical load the switch is designed to handle under specified conditions. Voltage and current ratings should be considered together with the type of load, such as resistive or inductive, and the application’s operating conditions. More details here.

Mechanical life refers to the number of times a switch can be mechanically actuated under specified conditions. Electrical life refers to the number of electrical switching cycles the contacts can reliably perform under specified electrical conditions. The two ratings can be different depending on the switch design and application. Read more here.

An IP (Ingress Protection) rating indicates the degree of protection provided by an enclosure or switch against the intrusion of solids and liquids. The first digit represents protection against solid particles, while the second digit represents protection against water. The required IP rating depends on the environment in which the switch will be used. Discover more here.

Operating force is the amount of force required to actuate a switch. The appropriate operating force depends on how the switch will be used and the desired user experience. E-Switch offers switches with different operating force options across various product categories.

Contact resistance is the electrical resistance present at the switch contacts when they are closed. Lower contact resistance generally allows current to pass through the contacts with less electrical loss. Contact resistance is an important specification to consider when selecting a switch for an application. Learn more here.

Through-hole switches use leads or terminals that pass through holes in a printed circuit board and are soldered to the opposite side. Surface-mount technology (SMT) switches are designed to mount directly onto the surface of a PCB. The appropriate termination style depends on the PCB design and manufacturing process. Discover more here.

Check the product’s recommended soldering profile and verify that the switch and any accessories are compatible with the intended manufacturing process. E-Switch provides recommendations for hand soldering, SMT reflow and wave soldering processes in its technical information resources. Read more here.

Not all switch caps and buttons are suitable for automated soldering. Many caps and buttons use materials that may soften or melt at temperatures associated with wave or SMT soldering. Always check the product specifications and recommended assembly process before including a cap or button during automated soldering.

When CAD or 3D files are available, they can be accessed through the applicable E-Switch product detail page. Product pages provide technical information and downloadable resources for supported products.

Use the E-Switch product catalog and available product search or configuration tools to narrow products based on switch type and relevant features. E-Switch also provides advanced site-search functionality that can help locate products using specific part-number or specification information.

Important specifications can include voltage rating, current rating, contact configuration, operating force, actuator travel, mounting method, terminal or termination style, electrical life, mechanical life, operating temperature and environmental or sealing ratings. Reviewing these specifications helps ensure the switch is suitable for the intended application. Access our product catalog here.