Increasing numbers of products are being developed for use outdoors or require for other reasons to be waterproof to some degree.
This may be required to ensure the safe handling of domestic appliances or for industrial controls. This naturally affects operating controls as well as housings, connecting cables, connectors and displays, etc.
In the case of switches this may require the protection of a conventional switch with an additional protective cover or similar arrangement to prevent penetration of moisture. This solution is not always acceptable to equipment designers as it may result in a ‘design break’ affecting the appearance and functionality of a front panel design.
The addition of a grey rubber cover enclosing a pushbutton does little to enhance the aesthetics of a design. According to knitter-switch, there is therefore an ever increasing demand for sealed components for front panel assembly, also offering the advantage of more economical appliance manufacture, since no cost is incurred for the installation of additional covers, etc.
The company offers a comprehensive standard range of toggle and pushbutton switches and customer-specific membrane keyboards, rubber switch mats and stainless steel keyboards with a level of protection up to IP69K.
With numerous options in terms of the colour of the actuator controls and the colour, material and surface finish of switch casings, etc., integration into a specific appliance design is eased, with even individually tailored solutions possible.
For heavy-duty applications, where deposits of dirt have to be taken into account, sometimes in conjunction with moisture, there is still a justified case for the use of protective covers made out of silicone rubber or chloroprene rubber. These also protect the switch mechanism from the wear and tear which might otherwise occur due to the penetration of foreign bodies, such as sand.
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