This Product Selection Guide contains information to help select products in the Tactile Switches category on DigiKey.com
Tactile Switches are an electromechanical device used to start or stop current flow along a circuit. Devices in this family are often very small and are turned on or off through the use of an actuator that is depressed into the unit’s body. These devices also provide feedback to the user through an audible click and/or a change in pressure upon reaching the trigger point. The operating force ranges from 50gf to 970gf.
SelectionCharacteristics
Circuit: Describes device function in terms of a number of poles and throws, as is typical for mechanical switches. For more information please see: Switch Basics, Examples of Pole and Throw
Switch Function: Refers to the specific operation or behavior of a switch, indicating the primary purpose or mode of operation. For more information please see: Switch Basics, Examples of Pole and Throw
Contact Rating @ Voltage: Typically this represents the maximum current to which a device’s contacts will meet their given specifications at a given voltage. Exceeding this current may damage the device and/or other system components.
Actuator Type: The specific design or style of the mechanism used to change the switch position.
Mounting Type: Indicates how the device is attached.
Mounting Types
Chassis Mount
Designed to be mounted to a metal chassis.
Chassis Mount, 8" Wire Lead
Attaches to a metal chassis but it includes an 8" wire for connection.
Chassis, Stud Mount
Designed to be mounted to a metal Chassis using an incorporated stud bolt.
Screw Mount
Attaches using screw terminals.
Stud Mount
Has a stud bolt incorporated into one side for attachment.
Flange Mount
Screws or bolts go through wings (flanges) that protrude from the product.
Connector Mount
A mount that incorporates a connector into its method of attachment into the electrical system.
Surface Mount
Have pins or pads that connect to solder pads on the PCB that are then soldered in place forming an electrical and mechanical connection. Number in front of SMD indicates how many pins/pads, for example a 6-SMD module has 6 pins/pads. May not use or even have all the pins/pads for example 24-SMD module, 14 leads: would fit in the space of a 24-SMD module but only has 14 pins/pads. Typically, they are smaller than the through-hole components.
There are three basic types of pins (leads) for surface mount devices.
Lead Types
Gull wing leads: Enable the most pins per inch when compared to J-lead types but they are more fragile. Easy to inspect for defects after soldering.
J-Leads: Less pins per inch than gull wing leads but they are stronger and less susceptible to breakage.
Flat Leads:
Must be protectively packaged to prevent damage to leads. Leads must be formed into a gull shape prior to use with a separate piece of equipment. Due to that they are the least popular type of lead.
Actuator Height off PCB, Vertical: Distance between mounting and actuating surfaces, for devices actuated by a force perpendicular to the mounting surface.
Actuator Length, Right Angle: Distance between actuating surface and a reference point on the switch body, for devices actuated by a force parallel to the mounting surface.
Actuator Orientation: Indicates direction of applied force that actuates the switch, relative to the mounting surface.
Termination Style: Selection of termination style used to connect the device to a system, such as PC pins or solder lugs.
Outline: Refers to the physical dimensions of the device.
Illumination: Refers to whether the switch has the capability to be illuminated or not.
Illumination Type, Color: Refers to the method or technology used to provide illumination or backlighting to the switch and the color of that illumnination.
Illumination Voltage (Nominal): Indicates the nominal operating voltage of a product’s illumination or backlighting feature, for products equipped therewith.
Operating Force: Characterizes the amount of fource that must be applied to a device’s actuator to cause a change of device state or output. Measured under manufacturer-defined test conditions.
Ingress Protection: IP (Ingress Protection) Ratings (IP20, IP65, IP67 etc.) - Define how likely it is that water and dirt will get into the system. The first number is for dirt and solid contaminants and the second number is for water.
IP Ratings
| Protection Level | Solids | Liquids |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Protected against solids larger than 50mm. | Protected against vertically falling drops of water. Limited Ingress permitted. |
| 2 | Protected against solids larger than 12.5mm. | Protected against vertically falling drops of water with the enclosure tilted up to 15 degrees from vertical. Limited ingress permitted. |
| 3 | Protected against solids larger than 2.5mm. | Protected against spraying water up to 60 degrees from vertical. Limited ingress permitted for 3 minutes. |
| 4 | Protected against solids larger than 1mm. | Protected against water splashed from any direction. Limited ingress permitted. |
| 5 | Protected against dust. Limited ingress of dust permitted. | Will not affect operation of equipment 2-8 hours. Protected against jets of water. Limited ingress permitted. |
| 6 | Dust tight. No ingress of dust 2-8 hours. | Protected against powerful jets of water. Limited ingress permitted. |
| 7 | ______________________ | Protected against the effects of immersion in 15cm-1m for 30 minutes. |
| 8 | ______________________ | Continuous immersion in water up to 3m for long periods of time. |
| 9 | ______________________ | Protected against high pressure jets of hot water. (30 seconds) |
| 9K | ______________________ | Protected against high pressure jets of hot water. (2 minutes) |
Features: These are different capabilities or properties of the device such as caps or grounding pins.
Operating Temperature: Recommended operating temperature, typically given in a range or as a maximum. Exceeding these temperatures may affect performance or damage the device and other system components.
ProductExamples
| MFR PART # | TL3315NF100Q |
|---|---|
| DIGIKEY PART # | EG4620TR-ND - Tape & Reel (TR) |
| MANUFACTURER | E-Switch |
| DESCRIPTION | Tactile Switch SPST-NO Top Actuated Surface Mount |
| DATASHEET | Click Here |
| MFR PART # | PTS 647 SN50 SMTR2 LFS |
|---|---|
| DIGIKEY PART # | PTS647SN50SMTR2LFSTR-ND - Tape & Reel (TR) |
| MANUFACTURER | C&K |
| DESCRIPTION | Tactile Switch SPST-NO Top Actuated Surface Mount |
| DATASHEET | Click Here |
| MFR PART # | EVQ-P7C01P |
|---|---|
| DIGIKEY PART # | P16765TR-ND - Tape & Reel (TR) |
| MANUFACTURER | Panasonic Electronic Components |
| DESCRIPTION | Tactile Switch SPST-NO Side Actuated Surface Mount, Right Angle |
| DATASHEET | Click Here |
| MFR PART # | PTS820 J15M SMTR LFS |
|---|---|
| DIGIKEY PART # | CKN10506TR-ND - Tape & Reel (TR) |
| MANUFACTURER | C&K |
| DESCRIPTION | Tactile Switch SPST-NO Top Actuated Surface Mount |
| DATASHEET | Click Here |
| MFR PART # | 2-1825910-7 |
|---|---|
| DIGIKEY PART # | 450-1642-ND |
| MANUFACTURER | TE Connectivity ALCOSWITCH Switches |
| DESCRIPTION | Tactile Switch SPST-NO Top Actuated Through Hole |
| DATASHEET | Click Here |
MediaLinks
Videos
Intro To Arduino and Circuits
More Videos on Tactile Switches
Articles
Tactile Switch Basics
Switch Tutorial
What You Need to Know About Switches
Mechanical Switches Meet Many Application Criteria
Product Training Modules
B3AL SMT Long-Stroke Tactile Switch - Omron
B3WN Sealed Tactile Switch - Omron
Illuminated Tact Switch - C&K
Mini Tactile Switches for Wearable-Hand-held Tech
DS Door Interlock Switch - C&K
Switches - MEC switches
Low Profile Switches - E-Switch
TechForum
Problem on E-Switch tactile switches after soldering
Washable Tactile Switches