Tactile Switches are most often found in control panels of monitors, televisions, mobiles, radios, etc. They are widely used in industry for different purposes. They come with various number of pins as per the requirement. A tactile switch has only two states ON and OFF. Here 4 pin tactile switch is discussed.
Fig. 1: 4-Pin Tactile Switch
Outer Metal Covering
The switch is kept closed by using a metal covering as shown below.
Fig. 2: Image of Metal Cover
Fig. 3: Metal Cover
Button
Inside the switch we can see there is a hat like thing. Actually it’s the button that we tap. The button looks very similar to a hat. At the bottom of the button there is a pointing arrow. The use of the arrow is discussed later.
Fig. 4: Hat-Shaped Button of Tactile Switch
Conducting Plate
Below the button there is a conducting plate. This plate isn’t flat but a little bulged. The image of the plate is shown below.
Fig. 5: Image of Conducting Plate
Fig. 6: Image Showing the Bulge of Conducting Plate
Bottom View
Below the plate we have the pins that we use to connect.
Fig. 7: The Four Pins Placed Below Conducting Plate
Fig. 8: Interior View of Pins
When the button is tap the arrow like structure in the button pushes down the bulged plate. When this bulged plate comes in contact with the pins conduction begins and the switch is said to be in ON state.
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