New from ITT Industries, Cannon is a device claimed to be the smallest, top-actuated SMT tact switch in the world. Especially targeted at designers of portable communications and entertainment devices such as cellphones, PDAs and MP3 players, the new KMR series switches measure only 4.6 x 2.8mm and stand only 1.9mm off the PCB. These four-terminal tacts also feature a ground terminal to ensure EMC is maintained.

Sharp, positive tactile feedback is achieved through the use of 0.2-0.3mm travel metal domes, and actuation force can be specified as 1, 2, 3 or 4N.

Ergonomic styling and high reliability up to 200,000 operations are other key attributes.

KMR tact switches are compatible with lead free soldering processes.

In order to optimise efficiency, the switches are delivered on 7000 piece reels, reducing the number of times reels must be changed.

Other specifications of these normally open SPST switches include: contact resistance less than 100mohm; insulation resistance greater than 1Gohm; and bounce of less than 1ms.

The silver contact version is rated for 1VA, with maximum voltage of 50V DC or current of 50mA.

The gold contact version is rated 0.2VA, with maximum voltage of 50V DC or current of 10mA.