An overhead projector manufacturer approached Carling Technologies Inc. for a new look for the power switch on their product. The switch needed to be sealed, and also had to handle the stringent electrical requirements necessary to control a tungsten filament lamp. In addition, the aesthetics of the switch needed to seamlessly blend in with the color and appearance of the customer's product.

Carling Technologies proposed a slightly modified version of it's existing V-Series product line. The V-Series contacts were re-engineered to handle a 6A 125VAC "L" rating. The switch was tested in Carling's extensive in-house ElectricalTest Lab, and then submitted to UL and CSA for rating approval. Since the V-Series is already sealed to an IP68 standard, the only remaining issue was appearance. The customer liked the overall look of the Contura II styling, and was sold on the sure grip provided by the soft surface finish. A color match was then performed on the purple stripe of the projector, and Carling subsequently molded the Contura II rocker in the exact same purple color.

The new product offering was able to successfully satisfy all of the customer's requirements. The newly designed contacts easily handled the current inrush generated by the tungsten filament lamp, the sealed V-Series construction protects the inside of the switch from dust and debris, and the purple actuator provided an aesthetically seamless integration of the switch into the projector. As a result, the customer was able to offer a more unique, high tech look, as compared to the plain switches used by their competition.

he Contura V-Series switches are highly flexible switches, which are used in a variety of applications including: Marine, Transportation, Appliance, Generators, and Floor Cleaning Equipment. Additional "L" rated switches commonly used within the audio visual or other industries requiring high inrush switches include: the Carlingswitch brand R-Series and T-Series rockers, as well as 2F and 2G-Series toggles