Subminiature switches with high ESD ratings

August 2003 Operator Interfaces, Switches & Relays Security Services & Risk Management

Knitter-Switch ESD resistant subminiature toggle and pushbutton switches are washable, fitted with gold plated over nickel contacts, good for 50 000 operations and have an ESD resistance greater than 14 kV between actuator and contacts.

Besides EMV (electromagnetic tolerance) an additional feature, 'ESD', (protection against electrostatic discharge) is required where sufficient grounding is not possible or desired.

The standards in Europe (Norm IEC 801-2 and DIN VDE 0843) list four different ESD levels:

Grade 1: 2 kV

Grade 2: 4 kV

Grade 3: 8 kV

Grade 4: 15 kV

Knitter-Switch EST and ESP toggle and pushbutton switches comply with these norms and except for physical size are compatible with series A switches.

The guaranteed ESD resistance of 14 kV is close to the upper limit required and is therefore not only higher than that of comparable switches but also exceeds all known requirements of miniature components (Grade 3-8 kV). As it is not possible to use metal support brackets (for example with the RA version) single pole versions are fitted with two additional supports to improve stability.

Further reading:

SA availability of immutable backup storage appliance
CASA Software Infrastructure Security Services & Risk Management
CASA Software has launched the newly released Nexsan VHR-Series, a fully integrated, enterprise-class, immutable backup storage appliance purpose-built for Veeam software environments, with usable capacity ranging from 64 TB to 3,3 PB.

Read more...

---

Beagle Watch named best security company in Johannesburg
News & Events Security Services & Risk Management
Beagle Watch Armed Response has been named Johannesburg’s Best Security Company in the 2025 Best of Joburg Awards, surpassing about 26 nominated private security firms in the greater Johannesburg region, thanks to overwhelming public support.

Read more...

---

Syndicates exploit insider vulnerabilities in SA
Information Security Security Services & Risk Management
Today’s cyber criminals do not just exploit vulnerabilities in your systems; they exploit your people, turning trusted team members into unwitting accomplices or deliberate collaborators in their schemes.

Read more...

---

High power, high voltage reed relay
Operator Interfaces, Switches & Relays
Pickering Electronics has upgraded its Series 68 high voltage reed relays to include a new variant supporting high power switching up to 200 W.

Read more...

---

Rugged PoE switch built for industrial demands
Conical Technologies Operator Interfaces, Switches & Relays
The Planet IGS-5225-8P4S-12V switch delivers all of this in a compact, rugged and highly efficient design, making it the switch of choice for engineers working in harsh environments.

Read more...

---

SABRIC Annual Crime Statistics 2024
News & Events Security Services & Risk Management Residential Estate (Industry)
SABRIC has released its Annual Crime Statistics for 2024, reflecting a significant decline in financial crime losses, but also warning of the growing threat posed by artificial intelligence (AI) in fraud schemes.

Read more...

---

Health, safety, and environmental eLearning
Training & Education Security Services & Risk Management
SHEilds is a global leader in health, safety, and environmental eLearning, delivering internationally recognised qualifications such as NEBOSH, IOSH, IEMA, and ProQual NVQs.

Read more...

---

See crime stopped in seconds
Products & Solutions Security Services & Risk Management
Fog Bandit, a leader in security fog, is bringing its instant crime-stopping technology to Securex Cape Town 2025. Experience the innovation trusted worldwide to protect retailers, warehouses, and high-value sites.

Read more...

---

SA’s private security industry receives multi-million USD investment
News & Events Security Services & Risk Management
South Africa's private security sector has attracted significant international attention, with the world’s largest tactical flashlight manufacturer, Nextorch, announcing a major investment in its local operations, Nextorch Africa.

Read more...

---

View from the trenches
Technews Publishing SMART Security Solutions Editor's Choice Integrated Solutions Security Services & Risk Management Residential Estate (Industry)
There are many great options available to estates for effectively managing their security and operations, but those in the trenches are often limited by body corporate/HOA budget restrictions and misunderstandings.

Read more...

---