Basically, it's two small pieces of metal, and when something hits it, the two pieces come together. It's small, seen in things like radios and Cd players...and other gadgets...sometimes they are just two long pieces of metal with a plastic blob in the middle.

Any idea what they are called?

Limit switch
reed switch
microcontact switch...?

Thanks in advance!

-FieroRumor

[This message has been edited by FieroRumor (edited 11-27-2004).]

Most modern systems use a "bubble" type of switch. It uses a plastic bubble that is coated with metal. When you press it (like on your keyboard) the bubble dimples and makes contact with the base creating a connection. The generic name is a contact switch. These come in many forms, the bubble switch being one.

I'm not really sure by the description but I remember back in my industrial electronics class we were learning about different kinds of pushbuttons and the contact types. Two of them were butt contacts and wiping contacts. Now why would someone do that, haha.

I think they're commonly called contact or membrane switches.

Yes they are a plain old contact switch. The "bubble switches" as Todd calls them are called elastomers. The contact area is coated with carbon (actually bonded to the elastic material) and the shape holds it away from two metal contacts. When pressed, the carbon hits the metal and "contact" is made. Contact switches work the same way except the two pieces of metal in the switch are the poles of the switch. The metal contact switches will wear out faster than the elastomer when both are properly engineered.

I think I know what you are talking about. Like the buttons used in alot of car radios? (ALPS Tactile Switch)Try this link:
http://www.mouser.com/catalog/620/966.pdf

[This message has been edited by 87_GT (edited 11-28-2004).]

Thanks for your help so far...

I'm familiar with the membrane switches, and the micro switches (with the rollers or piece of metal that clicks on the microswitch)

THIS is what I'm lookin' for:

Any idea what this thing is called? (The pencil is there to show scale...) There are larger and smaller versions of this thing...
just don't know the proper name for it....

reed switch

No..... A reed switch is one of those magnetic ones sealed in glass:

"A reed switch consists of two or three springy metal reeds having plated, long-life contacts at the tips and encapsulated in a sealed glass tube"

I'd say it's a contact switch of some type... leaf switch? I'd just call it a microcontact switch... it's all nomenclature anyways

Why do you need to know? Wanna sound intelligent in phone conversations?

"You know... I'm holding a microcontact switch in my hand... right this very instant in hyperdimensional time."

okay, after extensive sleuthing, I'd call it, "an open leaf-spring contact switch"

[This message has been edited by ryan.hess (edited 11-29-2004).]

I believe those are actually reed contacts, rather than a reed switch. A reed switch is enclosed in some kind of glass or plastic bubble with an inert gas, and are magnetically actuated. They might just be simply called momentary contacts or limit switches also.

quote Originally posted by ryan.hess: No..... A reed switch is one of those magnetic ones sealed in glass: Yeah, all the "reed switches" I see are magnetically activated. Why do you need to know? Wanna sound intelligent in phone conversations?

I need a bunch of them for a project I'm working on. I'd rather buy a bunch premade, then hafta make my own... Thanks for the continued help...

"A leaf switch is essentially two slivers ("leaves") of metal held close together (but separate!) at one end by a non-conductive spacer. The simple act of pushing one piece of metal causes it to bend and touch the other and close the switch."

here's some BIG ones:

[This message has been edited by ryan.hess (edited 11-29-2004).]

PERFECT!!!!!!!

Thanks!

Pinball machines use those behind the bumpers and on the paddle buttons. I used to work on them MANY years ago... never knew the official name though.