computer hardware, consumer electronics, electronic components

Membrane switch

A membrane switch is a momentary switch device having at least one contact that is provided on or made of a flexible substrate. Membrane switches are designed for intended use as keyboard, key pad, or front panel interfaces to provide instructions from a user to operate various items, such as computers, cell phones, manufacturing equipment and vending machines. Membrane switches enjoy widespread use because they are inexpensive to manufacture, are easily custom configured, and are fairly reliable. Membrane switches normally employ a pair of stacked flexible membranes having opposed contacts printed on their facing surfaces. Membrane switches provide electrical contacts closing when a front flexible membrane is compressed by a finger touch or the like against a rear surface, typically a second membrane. A spacer layer separates the membranes, except at a region about the contacts, allowing pressure from a finger to deform one of the membranes so that its contact touches the contact of the other membrane closing an electrical switch. In general, membrane switches comprise a circuit or matrix layout embedded in a plastic film. Switche elements are located at specific locations in the plastic film. The membrane switch is a multilayered device having a series of discrete mechanical switching elements that can be operated independently of each other by applying to the outermost layer at a given switch site a force to make or break the electrical connection of a particular switch element.

There's no product listing here. Be the first to submit your product information.


Category Navigation :