29-05-2020 | Snaptron | Connectors, Switches & EMECH
Snaptron has launched a new series of metal domes, the RCG series, a four-legged dome with a unique ring in the centre. This feature assists in reducing impact from contamination, assembly tolerances, or off-centred presses, making it one of the most versatile metal dome switches on the market.
The series dome addresses a significant pain point for customers: loss of electrical contact between the dome and board because of the build-up of debris. The 'ring' feature offers a 360-degree ring of contact, which reduces the impact of contaminants. When debris blocks the circuit in one area, the ring still makes contact in another. This feature on the dome also assures that electrical contact is preserved even with off-centre or off-angle actuations.
Another notable feature of the series is its ability to activate multiple independent circuits. As most dome designs only make contact at a single point in the centre, the design typically only provides for a single contact pad and a single circuit closure. A fingered centre pad provides for two or more circuits to be contacted at the same time by multiple parts of the ring so that multiple circuits can be activated, even if the actuator makes uneven contact.
“The RCG series solves a variety of problems for our customers but was designed with the overarching goal—to decrease the chances of contact failures,” said Ashley Steinbach, director of Strategic Development. “Our customers have come to know and rely on the high-quality domes and customer experience we provide. The RCG dome is another high-value addition to our product line up that we know brings even more value to our customers’ end-use applications.”
The RCG dome is supplied in 5.3, 6.3, 7, 8.5, 10, and 12mm sizes with forces ranging from 200g to 500g, depending on diameter, and life ratings up to 5,000,000 cycles. All standard domes are nickel-plated.
