Anti-Vandal Switches for Marine Applications
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When selecting components for boat controls and other marine applications, it is important to know that the switches you choose are going to be long-lasting, hard-wearing and easy to use. In this article we’re diving into the key attributes that make our metal anti-vandal switches an excellent choice for smooth sailing.
Our anti-vandal push buttons are a popular choice for marine applications as they offer a compact and modern design; taking up less space on a panel or dash than toggles and other similar components. Plus, with ratings of IP65 and above, they offer resistance to water and dust. Some other key attributes to take into consideration when choosing anti-vandals are:
LED Illumination
Bright LED illumination is important for many boat and marine control systems, as it ensures that the switches can still be easily seen at night or in adverse weather conditions. Selecting the correct LED colour for the application is also key. For example, blue LEDs are visually striking but can lead to eye strain when used in the dark for longer periods. So red LEDs may be a better choice for longer journeys, to better preserve night vision.
Laser etching with LED illumination adds an additional level of customisation to your switches, as you can choose the text or symbols you want on them. It also removes the need for cluttered labels on the control panel, as the function (i.e. ‘anchor down’, ‘nav lights’, etc.) can be etched onto the switches themselves.
316 Marine-Grade Stainless Steel
Another crucial attribute for switches on boats is that they should be made using 316 marine-grade stainless steel (also known as A4). Whilst no stainless steel is 100% protected from staining (i.e. some light surface rusting), 316 steel is much more resistant to the rusting and corrosion that is caused by extended exposure to salt water and marine conditions. It is therefore especially important for any outdoor controls to be fitted with marine-grade steel switches.
Unlike components made with black or coloured materials/finishes, brushed steel switches also have the added benefit of not being damaged or discoloured by continual exposure to the sun.
Speak to our Sales team to find out more about our marine-grade steel push buttons.
Momentary vs Latching
Whilst momentary and latching switches look essentially the same, their differing functions make them suitable for different uses.
As the name suggests, momentary push button switches only connect (or disconnect) a circuit when they are pressed, and return to their natural state once the actuator is released. This makes them best suited to control functions such as horns and starters.
Latching push button switches (sometimes also referred to as ‘maintained’ or ‘alternate’ switches) will remain in their position once pressed, so they need to be pressed again to return them to their natural state. This means they are commonly used as on/off or ‘push to make’ switches, making them a great choice for boat power systems like inverters.
Anti-vandal toggle switches, like our RJS-TOG series, are a great alternative to push buttons when you still need hard-wearing and water-resistant switches. Plus, a key benefit of using toggle switches when working on a boat is that they can still easily be used without having to look at them directly, and/or when wearing gloves.
Our RJS-TOGs have an IP67 rating and ring illumination, available in various LED colours. They are available in 19mm and 22mm panel cut out sizes, with 2 position or 3 position configuration.
Capacitive Switches
Another alternative to standard push buttons is to use capacitive (or touch-sensitive) switches. These metal switches have no moving mechanical components, as they operate by sensing when your finger comes into contact with them. This therefore means that they don’t face the same wear and tear as other switch types, meaning they often have a longer life. Capacitive switches also have up to an IP69K rating, for complete protection against dust and water. Plus, they can be customised with LED illumination; allowing for ease of use even in dark conditions.
Summary
Whether you’re out on the water for business or pleasure, you should be able to rely on your controls and components to be reliable, hard-wearing and resistant to damage. Our high quality anti-vandal switches are ideal for a wide range of marine applications, so contact us today and let us help you find the switches that will have you making waves.
Interested in our products? Speak to us today!
How to place an order?
We operate Monday – Thursday (8 am – 5 pm) and Fridays (8 am – 4.30 pm)
Call us on +44 (0) 1234 213600 to speak to our Sales Engineers or e-mail us
on sales@rjselectronics.com alternatively, leave us a message using our online contact form.
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