APEM has recently introduced new lines of piezo switches. With piezo technology, a naturally occurring crystal, when subjected to a mechanical 'push' force or stress, produces an electrical output which is transduced through electronic circuitry for switching (MosFet).

Unlike an electromechanical switch that has moving contacts and other parts that will eventually wear out, as well as suffer the life shortening effects of pitting, corrosion, contact bounce, and contamination, piezo switches offer many advantages. Piezo switches have no moving parts, are waterproof and impervious to other types of contamination (like coffee, glue, solder flux, detergents, cleaning solvents and others), and are unaffected by EMI or RFI. This results in a switch that has a life expectancy in excess of 50 million cycles.

APEM's PBA series switches are offered in NO, NC, NO (pulse), NC (pulse) and programmable output pulse length models. The NO and NC models are rated 200 mA at 24 V and have switch resistance less than 10 ohms. Standard models in 16 and 22 mm round and square configurations, with or without L.E.D. illumination are offered. The aluminum housing body is available in 5 cosmetic colors as well as natural anodize. 4 L.E.D. colors are optional.