tact switch question

[squirrel64]

Hey guys, I was wondering if these switches will hold up to the demands of everyday use. Is 1 Voltamp the same rating as 1 amp. Just never seen it written that way

http://search.digikey.com/scripts/DkSearch/dksus.dll?WT.z_header=search_go⟨=en&site=us&keywords=HP0215AFKP2-S&x=23&y=11

 

[CraigHB]

Volt-Amps are a unit of power like Watts, but include the reactive component you get with capacitance and inductance and an AC power source. Things like light bulbs are always in Watts because they are purely resistive. Things like AC motors are usually in Volt-Amps because they are heavily inductive. Volt-amps is the same as Watts for things like light bulbs and heaters that are purely resistive.

That switch is under-rated for direct use on an atomizer but would be fine for an electronic switch that uses a FET to handle the power. That switch has 500,000 cycles lifeltime per the data sheet which is pretty good.

 

[squirrel64]

that's kind of what I figured but I was just hoping it was a heavy duty tact switch I stumbled upon by accident. Thanks for the info Craig

 

[CraigHB]

Welcome, a 6mm tactile that could handle a couple amps would be handy. I haven't seen one either. Problem is, the arcing on the contact area is what kills switches. You actually need a lot of contact area for a high current switch to have any real longevity.

 

[Scubabatdan]

You could use it to operate a mosfet chip that is rated for that power, so the actual power is running through the mosfet instead of the switch.
Just a thought.
Dan

 

[WillyB]

that's kind of what I figured but I was just hoping it was a heavy duty tact switch I stumbled upon by accident. Thanks for the info Craig

Well it is a heavy duty tact.

Well built and more than double the current rating of these.

6mm x 6mm Tactile Switch with 3mm actuator

Which I imagine MV has sold many hundreds of.

Using a mosfet to limit the current is no excuse to use a cheaply made switch. It still needs to be sturdy and well made to take handle the mechanical beating we give them. Many folks will be hitting that button in excess of 300 times a day.