APEM supplies an extensive family of sealing boots for toggle, pushbutton, rocker and other switch types to prevent dust, sand, water and other contamination from getting into the switch mechanism. Contam-inants often cause faulty switch operation, electrical intermittencies or total switch failure, either immed-iately, or in many cases, at a later yet premature time, without warning. The result can be costly equip-ment damage, down time and field repairs.

All of APEM's switch boots provide stringent protection to specification IP67 and are available in either silicone or neoprene with a bright nickel or matte black finished hex or knurled nut. The silicone models provide protection from -40fC to 85fC with excellent elasticity, while the neoprene models protect from -20fC to 50fC and have excellent mechanical resistance.

The silicon models feature a wide selection of colors. Black, green, red and white colors are heavily stocked while other colors are available on request. Some of the important advantages of colored boots are better visibility, critical switch identification and cosmetic appearance. In low light environments, white boots are more visible than traditional black ones. Various boot colors can be used to enable proper sequencing. Red boots can be used to identify critical switch functions like emergency shut down or stop. Selective color or colors can provide the compatible cosmetic appearance desired for the equipment. Neoprene models come only in black color.

APEM manufactures numerous boot configurations in various sizes, shapes and styles. There are long and short, full and half, and one and two part types for toggles, various pushbutton styles, transparent models for rocker switches, double sealing types and more. Each boot is supplied with either an o-ring or sealing washer for effective sealing against the equipment front panel.