Dip-Switches
(1 563)DIP-switch is a type of electromechanical component – it is a miniature switch enclosed in a case (package) intended for installation directly onto a PCB.
What is a DIP-switch?
It is an element often used in electronics, but hardly ever visible for the operator or consumer; it is used for factory settings, calibrations, initial programming of industrial components and similar applications.
Design of electronic DIP-switches
Electronic DIP-switches are enclosed in cases resembling Dual In-Line packages (hence the DIP in their name) and are equipped with the same terminal leads. The difference is that currently, due to the progressing miniaturisation of electronic circuits, they are produced in 2.54mm and 1.27mm pitch variants, as well as variants for surface mounting (SMD).
These components can be used to close from 1 to 12 circuits, but in most cases the individual sections of the switch are independent of each other. If, for example, a constructor wants DIP-switch outputs to be connected to the same power rail after switching, this should be taken into account in the PCB design.
Regarding the mechanical structure, there are two types of DIP-switches: standard and piano ones. In a typical switch, sliders are placed in the upper part of the package – switching them involves movement that is parallel to the circuit. In certain variants, the sliders are cut to fit the body of the package and in this way prevent accidental switching (to change the settings, we need to use a tuner with a small tip). The “piano” DIP-switch features levers placed on the edge of the package, switched by way of moving them up and down (perpendicular to the PCB surface). This is a desirable solution in the case of switches located on the edge of the chip – as a DIP-switch can be operated without moving close to other electronic elements, for example, through a small slit in the device enclosure.
Applications and settings of electronic DIP-switches
The two main areas of application for DIP-switches are circuits requiring pre-setting and prototyping. In many industrial applications (sensors, controllers, etc.), devices require calibration or adjustment to the system requirements – the settings determine the sensor range or sensitivity, switching frequency etc. Because such operations are done only once (during installation), and an unqualified operator should not be able to change these parameters, the settings are set by using a covered-up DIP-switch component placed on a PCB. A similar solution is used in household appliances or audio/video devices, which can work in different areas of the globe, for example, with different parameters of the mains supply (50Hz/60Hz, 110V/220V, etc.). In this case, it is possible to produce universal circuits, which can be switched to an adequate operation mode depending on the target market.
In the case of prototyping, electronic DIP-switches are often used to simulate input signals, for example in microprocessor systems. Their advantages in this respect include a standard layout and pitch of leads (thanks to which they can be placed in breadboards), as well as their small size. It is important to note that these products are a comfortable alternative for pin headers connected with jumpers – that is why we can also find them in PC motherboards and service circuits used to test repaired devices.
Key DIP-switch parameters
Of course, the basic DIP-switch parameters include the number of sections, the mounting method (THT/SMD) and the number of stable positions (usually they are bistable elements, but there are models with 1 or 4 positions). Most of these products are characterised by good mechanical resistance (to vibrations), thermal resistance, and an IP rating which guarantees at least basic protection of the key parts from dust ingress. However, DIP-switches are not designed for frequent operations – they have very small pins (usually gold-plated) with a rated service life that rarely exceeds 2000 switching cycles. Some special variants of DIP-switches include low-profile components, models with an increased IP rating and those equipped with a self-cleaning mechanism.
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