Society of Robots - Robot Forum

Electronics => Electronics => Topic started by: ksquared on June 28, 2009, 02:42:54 PM

Title: Switch Characteristics
Post by: ksquared on June 28, 2009, 02:42:54 PM
I noticed Digi-key, when talking about switches, says that switches have the following characteristics:
Actuator Type    Circuit    Contact Rating @ Voltage    Manufacturer    Mounting Type    Orientation    Series    Switch Function    Termination Style

However.  I think I can guess what many of these things mean (having sure looked at them enough) however, some definitions are hard to come by. 

Could someone be so kind as to tell me PC-pin and Wire-Wrap termination is?  What is the orientation?  My filters have me down to right angle, vertical, and "vertical, right angle. "

Of course you are welcome to post any more information if you like, but at the moment those two are the ones I'm most curios about.  Thanks!
Title: Re: Switch Characteristics
Post by: sonictj on June 29, 2009, 06:11:52 PM
pc pin I believe refers to header like contacts that easily insert in  a PCB.  Wire wrap may have a hole in the terminal used to solder a wire onto, or the contact may be unusually long.

The orientation is simply is the switch bent (right angle) or straight up (vertical).
Title: Re: Switch Characteristics
Post by: Soeren on June 29, 2009, 07:18:13 PM
Hi,

Could someone be so kind as to tell me PC-pin and Wire-Wrap termination is?
PC-pin is most likely what we normally refer to as through-hole, i.e. good oldfashioned pins mounted through holes and soldered on the opposite side of the PCB.

Wire-Wrap is a technique where you wrap a wire around a square pin (with a special wrap tool) and at the corners, you generate a weld by the pressure applied. Wire-wrap gives lower resistance than soldering. Wire-wrap pins are usually quite long and most often, you solder a couple of pins before wrapping, to stabilize the device.