Pressing on a tactile switch inside a waterproof enclosure?

Electromechanical Switches
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I am trying to find the term for a type of component that can press on a pushbutton inside a waterproof enclosure. Since my PCB is not located near the enclosure, I can’t just let the push button protrude. I need to find a component that can be pushed by the user which in turn pushes a pushbutton on the PCB. Is there a term for this type of component? I think it might be plunger but I am not sure.

In most electronics I’ve seen, the device is enclosed in an enclosure with holes cut out for a piece of plastic that can be depressed to make contact with a push-button. That piece of plastic must contain some sort of shoulder/lip so that it doesn’t fall through the enclosure hole.

What is the industry term for this type of component? Is that something I can find off-the-shelf?

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Hi Alexlesuper, as of now I am not aware of any accessory like that, to my understanding a solution would be custom designed according to the application. However, in a pinch one could just simply add like an adhesive 3M bumper to the back of your enclosure switch or to the front of your tactile.
https://www.digikey.com/short/ptpwzb

or if possible one would just need to custom make something along the way in the design process or perhaps just redesign using a tactile with a long actuator (EG2505-ND).

I am also requesting some advice from our product manager to see if perhaps there is an accessory that I do not know about.

1 Like
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what is the distance from your panel to PCB?

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Approximately 15mm/600mils.

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Have a look at these, You will need the dimensions from the board to the panel to select an appropriate option.

https://www.digikey.com/product-detail/en/mec-switches/5ESH920/679-2578-ND/2411635

https://www.digikey.com/products/en/switches/accessories/192?FV=z1812.4.2411635

https://www.digikey.com/product-detail/en/mec-switches/16250/679-1960-ND/2034516

https://www.digikey.com/products/en/switches/accessories-caps/210?k=&pkeyword=&sv=0&s=20098&sf=0&FV=ffe000d2%2Cfffc0372&quantity=&ColumnSort=0&page=1&pageSize=25

1 Like
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Thanks a lot for the guidance!