Solid-state switch is rated for 10 million operations

The DS series, manufactured by Cherry, not only has the same outline as a traditional snap-action switch, it can also be supplied with the same actuators such as button, lever or roller mechanisms. In a conventional switch, when the actuator is moved, electrical contacts are mechanically opened or closed. In the DS series the mechanical displacement moves an internal magnet relative to a Hall-effect sensor that in turn controls a solid-state switch. With no electro-mechanical contacts to wear or be affected by atmospheric contamination, the switch has a very long operational life, and has been tested by its manufacturers to over 10 million cycles.

Designed to operate from a supply voltage of 4.5 to 24V, at up to 15 mA supply current, the DS switch provides a current-sink output that is rate to a maximum of 20 mA – it mimics a single-pole, normally-open conventional switch. With body dimensions of 28.8 x 15.9 x 10.3 mm, the operating force required for detection ranges from 84g for the basic “button” activation mechanism, to as little as 14g with the mechanical amplification of the longest option (63.9 mm) of operating leaf detector. For all variants of operating level, parameters such as detection point, pre- and over-travel and operating force are fully specified, with tolerances. The switch is rated for operation from –40 to +85C.
The DS series of long-lifetime sensors is available now from Foremost Electronics.