C&K Develops Industry’s Only Ultra-Miniature IP68-Rated Tactile Switch

Feb. 16, 2011 - PRLog -- C&K Components, a leading international supplier of tact switches, toggle, rocker and pushbutton switches, and smart card interconnect devices, has upgraded its KMT0 Series of ultra-miniature tactile switches to provide IP68-rated sealing. The industry’s only ultra-miniature tactile switch with an IP68-rated sealing, the KMT0 Series is completely sealed and stays fully functional under water for a minimum of 5 hours at a depth of 2 meters. In addition, the KMT0 Series is fully resistant to the most stringent conformal polymer coatings, including one of the smallest particle chemical vapors, parylene, which is used for coating printed circuit boards (PCBs) and medical devices.

Featuring a lifespan of more than 300,000 electrical and mechanical cycles, the KMT0 Series tactile switch’s ultra-low profile makes it a viable solution for handheld and portable electronic device applications that require a small footprint, while the IP sealing is an excellent solution to protecting against perspiration and water in portable devices.

“The KMT0 Series underwent extensive and rigorous testing, including a 5 hour submersion in 2 meters of water, to meet IP68 sealing requirements,” said Jerome Smolinski, senior product manager for C&K Components.  “The IP sealing, combined with its small footprint and extended life cycle, makes the KMT0 Series ultra-miniature switches an ideal solution for consumer electronics and medical devices, such as hearing aids, mobile phones, MP3 accessories and Bluetooth headsets.”

The RoHS-compliant and halogen-free ultra-miniature KMT0 switches feature a footprint of only 3.0mm x 2.6mm with a height of 0.63 or 0.65mm. The SPST (single pole single throw) normally-open switches are constructed with silver plating and are available with four operating forces: 1.0N, 1.6N, 2.3N and 3.4N. Maximum overload is 30N.

Actuator height is only 0.2mm, and the integrated actuator allows for simpler button design while yielding an excellent tactile ratio minimum 30%, providing sharp feedback (low tactile ratio of 10% is available for hearing aids and headsets). The KMT0 Series devices feature a maximum power rating of 0.5VA and a minimum/maximum voltage of 20mV – 32Vdc with a minimum/maximum current rating of 1mA – 50mA.  The operating temperature ranges from -40°C to +85°C.