February 2008—Schaumburg, IL USA—Omron Electronic Components LLC announces the availability of the B3W-9 series of SPST-NO (momentary) configuration LED illuminated tactile switches. The switches are available in red, yellow, blue, green and bright green LED’s. The keycaps utilize a proprietary diffusion panel to deliver uniform brightness across the entire surface and are available in color matched transparent or translucent white versions. The B3W-9 is available in one, two or three- color light models. The “tri-color” is accomplished when the red and green LEDs are simultaneously illuminated beneath the white keycap, producing the third color, orange. The switch utilizes Omron’s proven B3W switching mechanism creating a space saving 10mm x 10mm key cap area with a low profile of 11mm height. They have the same footprint as the B3W with the exception of the added LED connections on the PCB. The B3W-9000 has an operating force of 160gf typical with a service life of 1,000,000 minimum while the B3W-9002 has an operating force of 230gf typical with a service life of 300,000 minimum. The contacts have a restive load rating of 5 through 24 VDC at 1 to 50mA while operating in a temperature range of –25 to +70 degrees C in 35 to 85% humidity without icing or condensation. This series of switches is fully RoHS compliant and features a dust tight switching mechanism. These switches are ideal for use in applications requiring visual feedback confirming operation including test and measurement, office automation, amusement, industrial controls, and medical devices.
“The B3W-9 was developed to fulfill the requirements of applications requiring multiple switches where illuminated confirmation is required. Being that one switch can deliver three different colors in the same package will not only save OEMs space, but cost as well,” said Cami Marsh, Marketing Communications Coordinator of Omron Electronic Components LLC.
