Why Switch Tactile Feel is Important

 Some of us press sealed switch enclosures dozens of times a day and never think twice about it— as long as they work. Yet an unresponsive switch or one with the wrong force characteristics can get plenty of attention, none of it positive.

Although they seem like minor components on a forklift, control panel, boat dashboard, or other electronic device, tactile switches have the ability to influence major perceptions of quality, not to mention having real operational reliability impacts. 

At CPI, the details of every aspect of switch operation is something we’ve thought a lot about for 75 years, and we can tell you with absolute certainty that selecting the right switch really is crucial if you want a true set and forget behaviour. But what exactly makes a particular one of our waterproof pendant switches right for the job? For one thing, it needs actuation force and deflection characteristics that meet the application requirements. For another, it has to work reliably for the life of the electronic device.

Many engineers wrongly think of switches as commodity items that can be selected straight off a datasheet or purchased on price from the cheapest seeming vendor who does the job. In reality, though, picking a durable switch with the right feel and operational durability requires more than a look at its specs. At least if you want it to last in your application.

Whether your switch will be handled by an operator, or mechanically actuated with a moving bracket of some kind, dialing in the tactile characteristics of your switch can mean the difference between success and those expensive field replacements.

You Said There Would Be No Math?

Sorry, we lied. One of the first things to understand about tactile switches is the value and limitations of actuation force specifications and of course this is covered by a simple formula.

All tactile switches have actuation force characteristics that can be boiled down into a click ratio that expresses the relationship of the switch’s actuation and contact forces. A higher ratio indicates a crisper or snappier switch feel. The travel distance, or deflection, of a pressed switch also contributes to its overall feel.

Dialing in on the best switch feel for your application should always start with a careful review of force and travel specifications, but specs will only get you so far. In fact, one of the most common engineering mistakes is trying to select a tactile switch based solely on its specifications without considering its subjective feel in a physical device.

A better selection methodology uses the specs to narrow down your tactile switch choices to a few candidates. You should then sample those candidates in your device or prototype to find the one that truly has the right feel or travel distance in your application

CPI Can Provide Free Switches to Qualified Applications

In keeping with the spirit of try before you buy, CPI can provide samples to qualified companies looking to test our switch in their application. Whether you are looking for mechanical or manual actuation, maintained or momentary contact, and of course our completely waterproof guarantee, our team of engineers can steer you to exactly what you need and even customize the behavior of your switch if you need that.

CPI Engineers love talking about applications for our switches.

Really we do.

Give us a call today or visit https://cpi-nj.com/waterproof-switches !

Originally published at: https://www.cpi-nj.com/why-switch-tactile-feel-is-important/