OTTO’s newest switch - a double break basic switch - offers the best sealing protection on the market.

The company is always working to meet the needs of customers in the most demanding of environments. Its new B3S sealed double break basic switch is sealed to IP68S - meaning it is fully dust-tight and can withstand immersion in water.

Using double switching is a vital safety practice in railway signals, where a ‘wrong side failure’ - such as a signal showing green instead of red - can be caused by a single false feed. A double-break switch, however, has two pairs of contacts that open the circuit in two places.

Double switching comes at a cost, requiring extra relays, wires, and testing, but its higher protection against wrong side failures is an important safety consideration. It also reduces the risk of shock from electric devices which are connected with unpolarised AC plugs and sockets.

The double switch has a longer life, and its double contacts improve any loss of temperature.  This is helpful in DC circuit applications such as charging batteries, automotive applications, thermocouples, aircraft applications and other low voltage, low current applications.

The new B3S has been specially designed for places where space is tight, and can be configured with or without lever actuators. It is a snap-action, subminiature switch with a 0.2 inch switch width.  

It has been tested using the IP Code, which aims to provide users with substantial information about a product’s protection against dust, accidental contact, and water. Terms like ‘waterproof’ are meaningless to customers who need to be sure that components will withstand demanding environments.

The B3S’s first IP digit - 6 - is the highest solid particle protection available. It is dust-tight, and offers complete protection.

The liquid protection - 8 - is the second highest, second only to testing by powerful high temperature water jets. The equipment is suitable for continuous immersion in water.

The ‘S’ of the rating shows that the component was still during the water test.

The sealed switch is capable of handling up to an 8 amp resistive load, and has been tested to 1 million cycles. It can be provided with a choice of normally open, normally closed, three terminal SPDT, or four terminal SPDT - giving great versatility.

As with all Nexus-supplied components, it is very customisable. Eleven styles of terminal and wire lead options can be used - including single and double turret solder style, and wire leads of various lengths. It can be used as part of pushbutton, trigger and toggle switches that require robust sealing.

Talk to Nexus about the BS switch range and how it can be configured to work for your needs.  http://www.nexuscomponents.co.uk/Manufacturers/OTTO/OTTO%20B3%20Double%20Break%20Basic%20Switch%20Range