Membrane Switch Definition - 5 conditions

The ASTM subcommittee on Membrane Switches defines a membrane switch as: "A momentary switch device in which at least one contact is on, or made of, a flexible substrate"

To be more specific, all of the following conditions or features must be met in order to truly be classified as a membrane switch:

1. Direct (Ohmic) Contact: the poles of the switch must make physical contact, i.e. can not be non-contact type like capacitive, ferrite core, or hall effect.

2. Momentary Action: Upon release, the poles immediately separate as the flexing membrane returns to its original position.

3. Low Voltage Application: A membrane switch is designed to be used in low voltage, DC logic-level-signal, applications.

4. Membrane Layer: A thin pliable layer and carries one pole, both poles or that flexes during switch operation used to short both switch poles together. See figures 2 & 3.

5. Static Layer: Does not flex during switch operation but carries one pole, both poles or used to short both switch poles together. See figures 2 & 3.

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