Does anyone have experience with ONPOW switches and most specifically with their square (or round) illuminated pushbutton switches?
Are they good quality comparing to other brands like NKK or C&K for example?
Are they good quality comparing to other brands like NKK or C&K for example?
In the lamps era almost all switches by reputable brands were quite good. It surprises me every time again when I see (very) old switches in good shape while having modern switches dying after 2 years or even earlier.
So the short answer is than neither of you have used the newer LED versions, right? 🙂
Can you elaborate a bit please? What brands have you found that are not reliable nowadays?
Thanks
Can you elaborate a bit please? What brands have you found that are not reliable nowadays?
Thanks
I think I used stainless steel round latching type Onpow mains switches in a small series of devices with relatively good results, will look that up. After many disappointing quality issues with recently produced switches of various Chinese sources (steel contacts, high contact resistance etc.) my solution is to only use very good quality European made NOS/NIB switches and have a separate LED. Also looks and feels better than that tacky ultra bright blue stuff. I simply don't want to be bothered with defective switches as one should be able to rely on simple stuff.
Omron makes good switches with LED built in but at a price. Their current ratings are however low.
Omron makes good switches with LED built in but at a price. Their current ratings are however low.
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I have experience with Onpow switches (specifically the anti-vandal round RGB pushbutton switches). They are one of the better made cheap switch companies from China. That said, I'd wholly recommend going with a US or European made switch with all the required certifications if you can find one that works to your specs as they are generally higher quality than the cheap ones from China.
Can you recommend some US or European brands? I have used NKK (which it's Japanese I believe) in the past with good results. If Onpow is of the same quality, it's a winner considering they cost less.
Still have NOS/NIB switches made by NKK. Good stuff.
Maybe it is a good idea to mention the specific application. A mains switch 250/10 is different from a small switch switching the enable pin of a regulator for instance. Marquardt, Kraus & Naimer etc. mains switches are sturdy and still available. Some are clunky and don’t win beauty contests though but then again many chinese switches have porn actress appearance with ugly blue search light function built in.
Open door: one can not go wrong with military/aircraft stuff. Some french brands made excellent switches for such applications. Some very nice looking models with good switching “feel” exist.
Maybe it is a good idea to mention the specific application. A mains switch 250/10 is different from a small switch switching the enable pin of a regulator for instance. Marquardt, Kraus & Naimer etc. mains switches are sturdy and still available. Some are clunky and don’t win beauty contests though but then again many chinese switches have porn actress appearance with ugly blue search light function built in.
Open door: one can not go wrong with military/aircraft stuff. Some french brands made excellent switches for such applications. Some very nice looking models with good switching “feel” exist.
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You're right, I forgot to mention the application. Not looking for mains switch. Just for low voltage (24v) to control relays and I like the look of the switches I posted in the first pot.
Normally relays are switched by transistors. The transistors may be driven by switches and a cap to prevent short on/off/on behavior.
Small nice switches switching DC and a reactive load is not the best idea.
Small nice switches switching DC and a reactive load is not the best idea.
My understanding is that transistors are useful in cases such as when a microcontroller drives the relays but I might well be wrong.
By " on/off/on behavior" you mean bouncing?
FYI, the original brand of those prefered switches is the Swiss quality brand EAO. Maybe you can find those and hopefully for acceptable prices 😉
Thanks. I'm aware of EAO and their quality but it's just out of my budget as I need quite a lot.
Used EAO a lot in the past and the quality is good. Quality that comes at a price.
Military micro size toggle switches combined with a 3 mm LED glued at the backside of the panel (1 mm hole at the front side) is my modus operandi. Smaller, cheaper, industrial look and enough light for the function.
Military micro size toggle switches combined with a 3 mm LED glued at the backside of the panel (1 mm hole at the front side) is my modus operandi. Smaller, cheaper, industrial look and enough light for the function.
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Some common names in the switch space are C&K, NKK, E-Switch, Apem, EAO, Bulgin, Schurter. For 24V, the Onpow should also work well.
I agree with jean-paul; if you are energizing a relay with the switch it's good to use inrush current protection, smoothing cap to buffer switch bounce, back EMF protection on the relay, and a snubber on the switch itself.
I agree with jean-paul; if you are energizing a relay with the switch it's good to use inrush current protection, smoothing cap to buffer switch bounce, back EMF protection on the relay, and a snubber on the switch itself.
You got me thinking now guys. Can you recommend some examples or schematics that I can study in order to see how the relays are implemented?
I have been using relays with only back EMF and a 10nF capacitor (in parallel with the diode) for some yers now and I never had an issue so far.
I have been using relays with only back EMF and a 10nF capacitor (in parallel with the diode) for some yers now and I never had an issue so far.