Tactile switch question

[bancika]

Stupid question - how does tactile switch work? If you hold it pressed for longer time, does it maintain the connection all the time or it just "clicks" for very short time?

[Mike Burgundy]

The kind like the ones used in old keyboards?
They are a momentary, push-to-make type. Push down, contact is made. let go, contact is broken. So yes, hold=maintain contact.

[bancika]

Tnx!
I was talking about these, is that what you had in mind?

[Mike Burgundy]

Yes. Google tactile switch for manufacturers and datasheets.

[R.G.]

While there may exist auto-resetting tactile switches, all the ones I've ever seen have some kind of mechanical snap-over which leaves the switch made as long as you hold it down.

Many times this is a metallic dome spring. Pressing the switch pushes the dome down til it inverts and makes contact. The "over center" inversion is not enough to hold it there, so it only stays contacted until the pressure lets up, then it breaks contact. I'm sure there are other kinds, but all the tactile switches act this way.

[R.G.]

Forgot to add - I've never seen an alternate-action tactile switch. They're all momentary as far as I know.

[bancika]

I think I found an issue with this one...it still works fine, but it was sitting in my drawer pressed for over a year (switch-less mechanism in dunlop wah) so the actuator in the heel of the wah that is supposed to be pressing the switch probably flattened just a tiny bit, but enough for it not to make good contact. I'll just add a tiny drop of epoxy, I believe that 0.5mm will do it (tested with thin piece of metal and it worked)
thanks all

[Seljer]

I think I found an issue with this one...it still works fine, but it was sitting in my drawer pressed for over a year (switch-less mechanism in dunlop wah) so the actuator in the heel of the wah that is supposed to be pressing the switch probably flattened just a tiny bit, but enough for it not to make good contact. I'll just add a tiny drop of epoxy, I believe that 0.5mm will do it (tested with thin piece of metal and it worked)
thanks all

I've fixed countless computer mice this way. A detent develops in the part that presses down on the actual miniswitch. If the mouse doesn't click right you sand it flat and its good as new.