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:

Chubbsafes celebrates 190 years
Gunnebo Safe Storage Africa News & Events Security Services & Risk Management
Chubbsafes marks its 190^th anniversary in 2025 and as a highlight of the anniversary celebrations it is launching the Chubbsafes 1835, a limited edition 190th-anniversary collector’s safe.

Read more...

---

New law enforcement request portal
News & Events Security Services & Risk Management
inDrive launches law enforcement request portal in South Africa to support safety investigations. New portal allows authorised South African law enforcement officials to securely request user data related to safety incidents.

Read more...

---

Continuous AML risk monitoring
Access Control & Identity Management Security Services & Risk Management Financial (Industry)
AU10TIX, launched continuous risk monitoring as part of its advanced anti-money laundering (AML) solution, empowering businesses to detect behavioural anomalies and emerging threats as they arise.

Read more...

---

Multi-touch panel generation in a smart design
Beckhoff Automation Operator Interfaces, Switches & Relays
Following over 25 years of successful in-house panel production and 12 years of expertise in multi-touch design, Beckhoff is bringing out a new smart panel design, the Next multi-touch panel generation.

Read more...

---

SAFPS issues SAPS impersonation scam warning
News & Events Security Services & Risk Management
The Southern African Fraud Prevention Service (SAFPS) is warning the public against a scam in which scammers pose as members of the South African Police Service (SAPS) and trick and intimidate individuals into handing over personal and financial information.

Read more...

---

State-of-the-art solution for robust industrial Ethernet connectivity
Vepac Electronics Operator Interfaces, Switches & Relays
The 7015-4U2T-T1L unmanaged industrial Single Pair Ethernet (SPE) switch from Vepac is a state-of-the-art solution for robust industrial Ethernet connectivity.

Read more...

---

Simple, powerful illumination
Operator Interfaces, Switches & Relays
In applications needing quick, clear communication, the GS60 Pro Multicolour Guide Spotlight delivers powerful, easily configurable illumination and indication to reduce errors and improve productivity.

Read more...

---

Rewriting the rules of reputation
Technews Publishing Editor's Choice Security Services & Risk Management
Public Relations is more crucial than ever in the generative AI and LLMs age. AI-driven search engines no longer just scan social media or reviews, they prioritise authoritative, editorial content.

Read more...

---

How can South African organisations fast-track their AI initiatives?
AI & Data Analytics Security Services & Risk Management
While the AI market in South Africa is anticipated to grow by nearly 30% annually over the next five years, tapping into the promise and potential of AI is not easy.

Read more...

---

Efficient, future-proof estate security and management
Technews Publishing ElementC Solutions Duxbury Networking Fang Fences & Guards Secutel Technologies OneSpace Technologies DeepAlert SMART Security Solutions Editor's Choice Information Security Security Services & Risk Management Residential Estate (Industry) AI & Data Analytics IoT & Automation
In February this year, SMART Security Solutions travelled to Cape Town to experience the unbelievable experience of a city where potholes are fixed, and traffic lights work; and to host the Cape Town SMART Estate Security Conference 2025.

Read more...

---