A
AC Alternating Current; electric current that continually reverses direction at a fixed frequency
Alloy A metal created by combining two or more different metals to obtain a desired physical property
Alternate Action Commonly describing pushbutton switches; remaining in a given circuit condition after removal of actuating force; when actuating force is applied a second time, the opposite circuit is engaged; also known as push-push switching action; may or may not be latchdown
Ambient Temperature Operating temperature range
Angle of Throw Used with rockers and toggles to indicate total travel arc measured in degrees
Annealed Relieved of mechanical stress through the application of heat and gradual cooling; for example, annealed copper is less brittle
ANSI American National Standards Institute A standard-setting agency of the United States which approves the design and/or performance of electrical/electronic components that are distributed in the world market
Arcing The flow of electric current between opening or closing switch contacts
AWG American Wire Gauge Sizes may be determined by measuring the diameter of the conductor (the bare wire) with the insulation removed
B
Bifurcated Contact A two-pronged, wiping movable contact
Bounce The repeated rebounding of the movable contact during the transfer from one throw to the next; measured in milliseconds
Brass An alloy of zinc and copper
Break Before Make Interrupting one circuit of a pole before completing another of the same pole (nonshorting contact)
C
Capacitive Load A load in which the initial current on make is higher than steady state; upon break, it is less than steady state. Current leads voltage in capacitive loads
Circuit A closed loop through which electrical energy flows from a source to a load. A circuit consists of conductors, energy supplies (e.g., power supplies or batteries), and energy consumers (e.g., motors or lights). Electronic circuits have electrical components that guide and manipulate the quality of the electrical energy. For a closed circuit, the loop is unbroken; for an open circuit, the loop is broken, preventing current flow. Relating to a switch, a circuit describes how the switch mechanism connects common contacts to output contacts. This is explained with poles, throws and positions
Clad The joining of two dissimilar materials by welding or bonding
Cleaning Automated cleaning for process sealed devices, manual cleaning for unsealed devices. Cleaning is needed to remove flux from terminals and PC boards
Contact Resistance The resistance across a pair of closed contacts which is in series with the load; this resistance increases with the age of the switch at a rate varied by environment, frequence of use, voltage, and load conditions; measured in milliohms
Convection Reflow Automated soldering of surface mount devices by running the PC board with the attached components through a soldering convection oven
Coplanarity The profile of the surface tolerance establishes a tolerance zone defined by two parallel planes some distance apart within which all considered surfaces must lie
Creepage The unwanted flow of electrical current from one conductive part to another
CSA Canadian Standards Association
cULus Underwriters Laboratories Inc. – indicates compliance with both Canada and US requirements
Cycle The complete sequence of indexing through all successive switch positions and returning to the original position
D
DC Direct Current; electric current that flows only in one direction
Detent A mechanical positioning device for stopping actuator travel at each successive electrical circuit; for example, a spring-operated ball and groove
Dielectric Strength The ability of an insulating material to withstand high voltage without electrical degradation
Differential Travel The distance an actuator moves between the point where contacts snap over and where they snap back, or where a contact makes and then breaks
DIP Dual Inline Package, indicating .100” center-to-center terminal spacing and .300” row-to-row spacing
Double Break Having two pairs of contacts (shorting bar) that open the circuit at two places; having this added contact material improves heat dissipation and increases life; desirable in DC circuit applications
DP Double Pole; see pole
Dry Circuit A low energy circuit condition where no arcing occurs during contact switching; for example, 0.4VA maximum @ 28V AC/DC maximum; see logic level
DSP National Defense Standards of Japan; NKK file numbers C 6310B & C 6313
DT Double Throw; see throw
Dust Cover Protects switch in an environment where small particles and dust exist; switch is operable with dust cover in place
E
Environmentally Sealed Protected for use in harsh environments
F
Flash Plating A very thin or “instant plating” of usually less than 10 microinches in thickness
Flow Soldering Automated soldering of through-hole devices on PC boards, also known as wave soldering
Flux Chemical Used for cleaning metal surfaces so that solder will flow out on the metal; fluxes change a passive, contaminated metal surface into an active, clean, solderable surface
Forward Voltage (VF) The typical voltage drop across the LED at the typical forward current
G
Gull Wing A type of surface mount terminal which extends from the side of the switch and has an L-shaped bend at the end
H
Horsepower A unit of work often found as a rating on electrical motors. One horsepower is equal to 746 watts
I
Inductive Load A load in which the initial current on make is lower than steady state and upon break is greater than steady state. The long arcing time, due to stored energy in the inductor at the time of breaking, is severe on the switch contacts
IEC International Electrotechnical Commission
3 Rue de Varembe
P.O. Box 131
1211 Geneva 20, Switzerland
IECQ IEC’s Quality Assessment System for Electronic Components, created in 1983 to facilitate national and international trade in certified electronic components; a worldwide certification system that provides a method whereby electronic components made and handled by approved manufacturers and distributors can be used anywhere without further testing
Infrared Reflow A method of mass soldering surface mount devices with some form of infrared (IR) thermal radiation, such as a lamp IR system where PCB and components are heated largely by radiant energy from IR lamps
Inrush The initial, transitory high-level of current through contacts upon making (closing); can cause severe degradation of contacts; applicable to resistive and capacitive loads
Insulation Resistance The electrical resistance between two normally insulated parts; measured at a specific high potential; usually greater than .1 megohm
IP Ingress Protection rating system for definition of level of water and dust protection
ISO International Standards Organization, is a network of the national standards institutes of 146 countries, on the basis of one member per country, with a Central Secretariat in Geneva, Switzerland, that coordinates the system
Isolated Lamp Circuit Independent of switching circuit; lamp is operated on a circuit separate from the switch circuit
J
JEITA Japan Electronics and Information Technology Industries Association
JETL Japan Electrical Testing Laboratory
JIS Japan Industrial Standard; Japan Industrial Standards Committee (JISC) Agency of Industrial Science and Technology
K
L
Lamp Load (Tungsten) Most notably characterized by the high inrush current at make (approximately 10 to 16 times the steady state)
Latchdown One type of alternate action in which the pushbutton is mechanically fastened in the down position; the pushbutton is at “normal” position for one circuit and latched down position for the other circuit condition
LED Light Emitting Diode; provides illumination with advantages of long life and low power consumption
Logic Level An application in which power levels do not cause arcing, melting, or softening of contacts; also referred to as dry circuit or low energy; specified 0.4VA maximum @ 28V AC/DC maximum; typically requiring gold contacts for reliability
Low Level Devices that are used in a low-level circuit (low voltage and low current) have not been tested by UL and/or CSA. When used as intended in a low-level circuit, the results do not produce hazardous energy
Luminous Intensity The luminous intensity is the luminous flux emitted from a point per unit solid angle into a particular direction. Standard unit of luminous intensity is Candela (cd), also expressed as Lumen per Steradian (lm/sr)
M
Maintained Action Remaining in a given circuit condition until actuated to the opposite circuit condition where it is again maintained; opposite momentary action
Make Before Break Completing one circuit of a pole before interrupting another of the same pole (shorting contact)
Maximum Forward Current (IFM) The maximum continuous operating current at 25°C that the LED can withstand. Exceeding the recommended voltage results in serious degrading or destruction of the LED. Operation should be well below the limit
Maximum Reverse Voltage (VRM) The maximum voltage in the opposite direction that the LED can withstand. Exceeding the recommended voltage results in serious degrading or destruction of the LED. Operation should be well below the limit.
METI Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (Japan)
Momentary Action Mechanically returning from a temporary circuit condition to the normal circuit condition as soon as the actuating force is removed
Motor Load Most electric motors are designed to run at 50% to 100% of rated load. Maximum efficiency is usually near 75% of rated load. Thus, a 10-horsepower (hp) motor has an acceptable load range of 5 to 10 hp; peak efficiency is at 7.5 hp. A motor’s efficiency tends to decrease dramatically below about 50% load
MSCP Mean Spherical Candle Power; a unit of measure of light intensity
N
NC Normally Closed contacts; circuit is closed when actuator is in relaxed or normal position
NEMA National Electrical Manufacturers Association, an agency of the United States setting standards for products distributed worldwide; applied to switches in their degrees of protection against the intrusion of liquids, dust, other contaminants
Newton The unit of measure for operating force abbreviated N; see the conversion tables in the previous section
NO Normally Open contacts; circuit is open when actuator is in relaxed or normal position; applies to momentary or alternate action switches
Nominal The result of the calculated actual value range
Nonshorting Contacts Contacts which break before make
Nonswitching Rating The power carrying capability of a switch after contact closure and at the end of contact bounce; usually much higher than the switching rating
O
Opaque Condition that prevents the passage of light
Overtravel The distance an actuator moves beyond the point at which electrical contacts transfer
P
Panel Seal Liquid is prevented from reaching the switch contacts from front of the panel if panel is subjected to spills or splashing
PCB Printed Circuit Board; thin copper traces on a plastic laminate providing low cost, low current mass wiring
PF Power Factor; a means of determining contact capability when used with inductive loads relative to the standard resistive load rating; for example, if PF = 1.0 the inductive load is 100% of the resistive load, or if PF = 0.6 the inductive load is 60% of the resistive load
Photo Interrupter Light source being interrupted and thus changing the status of an electrical circuit
Pole A single common electrical input having one or more outputs
Position The mechanical detents of a switch actuator
PPS Polyphenylene sulfide; a thermoplastic resin that is chemical and flame resistant
Pretravel The distance an actuator moves before a change in the electrical condition is made
Process Compatible Capable of subjection to automated cleaning procedures after wave soldering; often noted as “washable”
Process Sealed Sealed to withstand the entire automated processing including the final cleaning
Protective Guard Prevents accidental actuation; switch is not operable when protective guard is in place
Push-Push Also known as alternate action; is not latchdown
Q
R
RCJ Reliability Center for Electronic Components of Japan, member of EXACT (International Exchange of Authenticated Electronic Component Performance Test Data)
Resistive Load The easiest load to switch because current and voltage are in a steady state on make and drop instantly to zero on break; produces minimal arcing which maximizes contact life
RMS Root Mean Square
RoHS Restriction of Hazardous Substances in Electrical and Electronic Equipment directive restricting the use of lead, cadmium, mercury, hexavalent chromium and PBB/PBDE flame retardant materials in electrical and electronic products sold in Europe beginning July 1, 2006
S
Shorting Contacts Contacts which make before break
Silicone Rubber Rubber made from silicone elastomers and noted for its retention of flexibility, resilience, and tensile strength over a wide temperature range
SIP Single Inline Package, indicating .100” center-to-center terminal spacing with terminals aligned in one row
Snap Action The abrupt transfer of contacts from one position to another; this action is relatively independent of the speed of actuator travel
Splashproof Prevents entry of liquids at front panel generally by means of one or two internal o-rings, as illustrated here
SPST Single Pole Single Throw; see pole, also throw
STC Sliding Twin Contact, a mechanism with two movable contact surfaces which pinch the stationary contacts. The STC contact mechanism provides smooth, positive detent actuation, unparalleled logic-level reliability, and more contact stability than conventional mechanisms. Continued reliability is assured since the gold-plated contacts are wiped clean with each actuation. Furthermore, if one side of the twin contacts should fail to conduct, the other side functions as a backup or a fail-safe path for the current. The combination of rounded movable and stationary contacts provides the smooth contact feel not found previously in sliding contact type mechanisms
Surface Mount (SMD or SMT) Component terminals are soldered to pads on the surface of the PC boards as opposed to using holes for mounting; terminal shapes vary – gull wing, J-bend, and others
Synchronous Lamp Circuit Lamp is operated on a circuit in phase with the switch; the switch contains a separate circuit to open or close the lamp circuit simultaneously with the switching circuit
T
Tactile Feedback The switching action felt by an operator
Tamperproof Designed to prevent tampering or provide evidence of tampering; impervious to tampering
Tamper Resistant Designed to make tampering difficult or resistive
Thermal Shock The state of a component that is undergoing an excessive temperature change, particularly in reference to movement from one process to another in soldering and cleaning
Thermoplastic A plastic that is flexible and easily molded when heated and which becomes hard and rigid when cooled
Thermoset A plastic that becomes hard and rigid when heated or cured
Throw The number of electrical circuits within a pole
Total Travel Sum of pretravel and overtravel; full distance an actuator moves from relaxed position past the point of electrical contact and to the end of travel
Translucent Transmitting and diffusing light so that objects beyond cannot be seen clearly
transparent Transmitting light without appreciably scattering so that objects lying beyond are entirely visible
Travel The distance the actuator moves to effect the change of electrical circuits; see also differential travel, pretravel, overtravel, and total travel
Two Circuit Circuit in which one circuit is completed in one position and another separate circuit is completed in the other position
Typical Forward Current (IF) The test condition at 25°C. It is recommended that the current be at or below the Typical Forward Current
U
UL Underwriters Laboratories Inc.; many of NKK’s switches are UL Recognized
Undercoating A coating used for preparation of a surface for plating or used to prevent corrosion when the finish plating develops pinholes; thickness of an undercoating is determined by its purpose
V
Vapor Phase A process well-suited to soldering surface mount devices; it combines infrared preheating with condensation heating for reflow, advantageous for eliminating overheating of components and PCB
VDE Verband Deutscher Elektrotechniker of Germany
W
Watertight Impermeable to water except when subjected to immersion; not waterproof
Wavelength The color of visible light is measured by its wavelength. The Greek symbol “lambda” is used to represent wavelength, the unit of measure is nm
Wave Soldering A method of soldering in which a wave of molten solder contacts surfaces as the PC board with components is conveyed through the process; wave width, travel speed, dwell time, etc. are varied to achieve desired results
WEEE Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment; Directive aims at prevention of WEEE and its reuse, recycling and recovery, so as to reduce the disposal of this type of waste. The directive sets targets for the separate collection of WEEE, along with standards for treatment and targets for recycling and recovery
Wiping Action Sliding of contacts over one another resulting in the cleaning of the surfaces