Tactile switches deliver up to one million cycles with exceptional durability and reliability

Littelfuse, Inc. has launched the KSC PF Series sealed tactile switches for SMT. These compact, IP67-rated momentary action switches provide improved environmental protection through a unique extended cage design that simplifies the potting process and enhances long-term durability in harsh environments.

Engineered to support rugged applications across industrial, transportation, medical, aerospace, and high-end consumer markets, the series stands out for its compact 6.2mm x 6.2mm x 5.2mm footprint, a soft actuator with positive tactile feedback, and superior protection against moisture, dust, and vibration. Its potting-friendly architecture provides engineers greater flexibility when designing electronics for outdoor and mission-critical environments.

While sealed tactile switches are not new to the KSC portfolio, the series is the first to be explicitly optimised for potting – a process that is rapidly gaining traction across multiple industries. Potting involves fully encapsulating sensitive PCB-mounted components in resin, providing an extra layer of protection against corrosive agents, thermal shock, and vibration. Standard flat cage switch designs typically limit the depth of resin coverage, which can compromise protection. In contrast, the switch's extended cage enables deeper potting, improves tolerance for resin surface levels, and protects adjacent PCB components – all while streamlining the production process and enhancing product reliability.

"Leveraging decades of Littelfuse engineering expertise, our KSC components, when potted on PCBs, provide our customers with exceptional protection against harsh environments," said Laurent Kubat, Europe R&D director, EBU Switches and Sensors, at Littelfuse. "This design approach significantly enhances durability and ensures reliable long-term performance."

Laurent Kubat added, "The KSC PF Series, with its innovative cage design around the actuator, allows for a higher resin thickness compared to standard versions. This unique feature ensures superior protection for the switch and all components on the printed circuit board, ultimately enhancing the quality and reliability of our customers' products."

Potting protects sensitive electronics by encapsulating them in resin, protecting them against moisture, dust, vibration, and corrosive elements. However, standard switch designs can inhibit the process or limit protection. The KSC PF Series addresses this issue with an extended cage that facilitates full resin coverage without compromising switch performance. This feature ensures proper alignment during potting, tolerates thicker resin layers, and improves protection for the switch and surrounding PCB components. As potting becomes standard in rugged applications – such as e-mobility, industrial automation, and outdoor electronics – potting-friendly components like the KSC PF help engineers simplify designs and enhance long-term reliability.