Robust and Rugged Switches for the Toughest Requirements from Foremost

Foremost Electronics, the engineering-led Essex based importer and specialist distributor of electromechanical components, stocks a wide range of switching products from Elma Electronic. Elma are the solution provider of choice for many British companies working in the high-end electronics systems solutions industry. Elma switches are designed into audio, aircraft, industrial automation, construction, laboratory and test and measurement products.

Elma offer a wide range of rotary switches and encoders from commercial grade through to products fully compliant with aerospace and defence systems. Elma’s original range of mechanical selector switches benefits from more than 50 years-experience and know-how. The innovative and robust design of the switches was made to meet the requirements of a wide range of possible applications.

The new X4 is the rotary switch for the toughest requirements, boasting an extremely robust rotary switch platform with an optional push button function. The switch incorporates a unique magnetic, Hall effect (contactless) sensing system, to ensure maximum ruggedness, reliability and life expectancy. The micro-controller-based circuitry provides absolute code (Grey) with analogue and PWM, or encoder output.

The MR50 multi-functional rotary switch is a ½” selector switch designed for portable outdoor devices, military radios, aiming systems and vision devices, test and measurement equipment and instrumentation as well as aircraft cockpit applications. Just ½” in size, the MR50 offers up to 16 switch positions, switching torques of up to 6 Ncm, and operates either in shorting or non-shorting modes. With gold-plated contacts (3-micron gold), the switch offers protection up to IP68 and performs in operating temperature ranges from -45 °C to +85 °C.

The wide range of Elma encoder switches available from Foremost offer precise switching in demanding applications and provide high performance combined with a wide variety of switching combinations. Elma’s E33 product enhancements are particularly well suited for mobile applications targeting public safety, and all E33 series encoders feature Elma’s exclusive Swiss Click Indexing System™ that ensures consistent turning torque over the encoder’s entire lifetime. Standard features include 16 or 32 detents resolution, optional integrated push button, rotational life up to 1,000,000 revolutions, optional IP68 front panel sealing, MIL-STD-202G compliant and operating temperature range from -40 to +85°C

Alan Vincent, Sales Director of Foremost Electronics, comments;” We have a very long-term relationship with Elma and a great understanding of their product range and applications. Elma switches are designed for high reliability and long lifetime, where other switches reach their performance limits is where Elma’s come into their own.”