What is a DIP Switch?

Definition

DIP Switches are miniature switches that are mounted onto PCBs and used to make settings on electronic devices.

Their name comes from having the same shape and array of terminals found in integrated circuits (dual inline package), thus abbreviated to DIP.

Features

Small Size Low Profile	The standard size is 2.54 mm for the distance between neighboring terminals (pitch), and 3.5 mm for the height. We have also been able to miniaturize this down to a pitch of 1.25 mm.
High Contact Reliability	DIP Switches are only used to change settings and therefore are not manipulated often. We have designed our DIP Switches with the optimal materials and mechanisms to maintain high contact reliability.
Automatic Mounting	We utilize the same packaging as other components (stick, taping, etc.) so that the same mounting equipment can be used for automatic mounting.

DIP Switches are categorized as setting switches, and the setting conditions are output as ON/OFF signals.

Models

There are three operation methods for DIP Switches: Sliding Types, Piano Types and Rotary Types.
Each of these categories then has two terminal types depending on the method used to mount the switch to a PCB: PCB Insert Hole Terminals and PCB Surface Mounted Terminals.
The shape of the operating part is either Flat or Convex for Sliding Types, Short Lever or Long Lever for Piano Types and Flat or Shaft for Rotary Types.

	Sliding Types
	Flat/Convex Types				Flat Types
PCB Insert Hole Terminals	Standard Types	High-reliability Types	Box Types	Sealed Types
PCB Surface Mounted Terminals	High-reliability Types	High Soldering Heat-resistant Types			Half-pitch Types

	Piano Types
	Short Lever/Long Lever Types		Long Lever Types
PCB Insert Hole Terminals	Box Types	Low-profile Types	Sealed Types
PCB Surface Mounted Terminals	Low-profile Types	Half-pitch Types

	Rotary Types
	Flat/Shaft Types		Flat Types
PCB Insert hole Terminals	Standard Types	Sealed Types	Miniature Sealed Types
PCB Surface Mounted Terminals	Standard Types	Miniature Types

1. Operating Part

There are three different types of switching methods based on the operating part: Sliding Types, in which the operating part is slid, Piano Types, in which the operating part is pushed down and Rotary Types, in which the operating part is rotated. There are also variations in the shape of each operating part within these three categories.

Sliding Types

Convex Types	Flat Types	Flat Types with Seal Tape

Piano Types

Short-lever Types	Long-lever Types

Rotary Types

Flat Types	Shaft Types	Cone Types	Wheel Types

2. Terminals

Terminals vary based on the number of contacts, whether PCB Insert Hole Terminals or PCB Surface Mounted Terminals are used, and whether the Standard Pich (2.54 mm) or a Half Pich (1.27 mm) is used.

Mounting Methods

PCB Insert Hole Terminals	PCB Surface Mounted Terminals

Pitches

Standard Pich (2.54 mm)	Half Pich (1.27 mm)

Select the terminals, pitch and height based on the components that will be on the PCB along with the switch.

Structures

1 Cover

The cover is connected to the base to protect the internal mechanisms of the switch.

2 Strikers

Use an implement with a fine tip to set the strikers to the ON or OFF positions.
A contact force is applied to the wiper to maintain stable contact between the wiper and the contact.

3 Wiper

The wiper is a V-shaped moving contact.
The wiper moves along with the striker to either open or close the connection between the two contacts and turn the switch ON and OFF.

4 Contact Terminal

The contact terminal is built into the base.
There are two types of terminals: ones that are inserted into insert holes on a PCB and ones that are mounted on the surface of a PCB.

5 Base

The base is molded with contact terminal into a single unit. It protects the inside of the switch along with the cover.

Lineup

Sliding Types	Piano Types	Rotary Types
A6T Standard Types	A6TR Low-profile Types for Sequential Mounting	A6R/A6RV Standard Types
A6TN High Contact Reliability Types		A6K/A6KS Miniature Types
A6E-N ox Types	A6ER Box Types	A6A Sealed Types
A6D Sealed Types	A6DR Sealed Types	A6C/A6CV Sealed Miniature Types

Sliding Types

Piano Types

Rotary Types

PCB Insert Hole Terminals

A6T Standard Types

A6T-Standard Types

A6TR Low-profile Types for Sequential Mounting

A6TR-Low-profile Types for Sequential Mounting

A6R/A6RV Standard Types

A6R/A6RV-Standard Types

A6TN High Contact Reliability Types

A6TN-High Contact Reliability Types

A6K/A6KS Miniature Types

A6E-N ox Types

A6E-N-ox Types

A6ER Box Types

A6ER-Box Types

A6A Sealed Types

A6A-Sealed Types

A6D Sealed Types

A6D-Sealed Types

A6DR Sealed Types

A6DR-Sealed Types

A6C/A6CV Sealed Miniature Types

A6C/A6CV-Sealed Miniature Types

Sliding Types	Piano Types	Rotary Types
PCB Surface Mounted Terminals
A6S-H High Soldering Heat-resistant Types	A6SR Low-profile Types for Sequential Mounting	A6RS Standard Types
A6SN High Contact Reliability Types		A6K/A6KS Miniature Types
A6H Low-profile Half-pitch Types	A6HR Half-pitch Types
A6HF Half-pitch Types