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This section provides an overview for pushbutton switches as well as their applications and principles. Also, please take a look at the list of 6 pushbutton switch manufacturers and their company rankings.
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1993~2019: Engaged in pharmaceutical research and development and analysis of various biological samples at the Pharmaceutical Research Institute of Japan Kayaku Co., Ltd. He is also in charge of facility management as a dangerous goods handler and radiation handling chief.
2019: Moved to another company in the same industry and has been in charge of similar work until now.
He also writes, translates, and edits specialized books.
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/makoto-niwa-25331040/
Researchmap: https://researchmap.jp/0000-0002-2355-1222/
A pushbutton switch is a switch that is turned on and off by a pushing motion with a human finger.
They are also called push-button switches. Pushbutton switches are used as human input devices for various controls. In many cases, their role is to directly turn on or off the electric current that operates the device.
There are a wide variety of shapes and sizes of actuators and mounting points. There is also a wide variety of colors when issued, with or without a light emission to indicate on/off.
Pushbutton switches are used in a variety of situations. Specifically, they are used as switches for operating control equipment and inputting setting conditions because they are input devices that are operated by human fingers.
Pushbutton switches are also used as input devices on operation panels of industrial machines to provide operation and stop instructions and input settings for various operating conditions. In addition, they are also useful for devices that generally use human operation as input for operation settings and turning on/off of operations, such as power on/off operations for household electrical appliances.
The typical construction of a pushbutton switch is one in which the connecting terminal of the switch is connected to a pushbutton and the contacts make contact when the button is pressed. Conversely, there is another type in which the connecting terminal is pressed against a spring and the contact is separated when the button is pressed.
Some switches have a mechanical locking mechanism inside the switch that keeps it in operation when pressed once. When it is time to put it back on, there are various types, such as push again, pull back, and twist types.
One of the features of pushbutton switches is that many types of illuminated switches use light to indicate whether the switch is on or off. Illuminated switches have a light source such as LED inside.
Pushbutton switches are divided into two types in terms of contact state switching: momentary type and alternate type.
The momentary type, as the name "momentary" implies, has an "instantaneous (temporary)" mode of operation. It turns on only while the switch is pressed.
The alternate type, meaning "alternating," switches on when the switch is pressed and remains on when the finger is released. Then, when the switch is pressed again, it switches off and remains off when the finger is removed. Each time the switch is pressed, the operation alternates between on and off.
There are two types of push switches with different mechanical actions: latch type and unlatch type.
In the latch type, the switch is held in the depressed position once it is turned on by pressing it with a finger. Then, when the switch is pressed again, it returns to its original position and is turned off.
In contrast, the unlatch type returns to its original position once the switch is pressed, whether on or off.
Pushbutton switches are devices with high ergonomic requirements because they are pressed by human fingers. The illuminated type is useful for important actuators because it provides feedback to the operator on whether the switch has been turned on or off.
The surface shape of a switch is considered to be concave for better operability. On the other hand, flat type is easier to indicate letters and symbols.
Select a method of operation (momentary/alternating, latching/unlatching) that is suitable for the intended use. It is also desirable to check that the force required for operation is not too large or too small and that the latch has an appropriate feel.
Consideration should be given to dustproofness and waterproofness according to the environment of use. The IEC (International Electrotechnical Commission) has established an IP code as a standard for dustproof and waterproof switches.
The first number indicates dustproofness, and the second number indicates waterproofness. The higher the number, the higher the performance. Some products have a rubber "waterproof cap" covering the important parts of the product to simplify dustproof and waterproof performance.
Since most pushbutton switches are used to open and close an electric current, it is important to know how much current and voltage they can be used up to. The guideline for this is the "rating," which is indicated in terms of DC or AC, rated voltage, and rated current. Select a switch with a sufficient margin for the actual operating conditions.
*Including some distributors, etc.
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C&K is headquartered in Waltham, Massachusetts, and was established in 1928 as a manufacturer of electromechanical switches. The company designs various Push buttons, Toggles, Navigational, Slides, and Rotary switches, along with Smart Card Connectors that are used in vending machines, digital satellite receivers, and other equipment. C&K switches serve a huge market of consumer electronics, transportation, aerospace, and medical to name a few. The High Reliability connectors are also produced to cope with applications that have extreme operating conditions such as space, military, automotive, etc
Taiwan Alpha Electronic, founded in 1970 and headquartered in Taoyuan, Taiwan, is a manufacturer and supplier of electronic components and customizable sensor solutions. Their product offerings include force sensors used in industrial automation, medical devices, and automotive applications, position sensors utilized in machine tools, robots, and conveyors, proximity sensors for detecting object presence in various industries, and temperature sensors applied in industrial automation, medical devices, and automotive sectors. Additionally, Taiwan Alpha Electronic provides custom-designed sensors to meet specific customer needs. Their products are widely used in industries such as industrial automation, medical devices, automotive, and consumer electronics.
Song-Huei Electric Co. Ltd. is a variable resistor manufacturer established in 1981 and based in Kaohsiung, Taiwan. In 2002, the company initiated a technological cooperation with Tokyo Ko-On Denpa Co., Ltd., resulting in its role as the original equipment manufacturer (OEM) for various Tokyo Ko-On Denpa products such as DJVR, fader, and voice-controlled potentiometers. Its Nano technology allows the fader's lifespan to exceed 1,000,000 cycles. The company is certified with ISO-9000 standard and has established its facility in Guang Dong Province, South China, under the name of San Fa Electronic Co., Ltd.
Apem, originally founded as APR in 1952 in France and incorporated as Apem Inc. in 2008, is a global manufacturer of electronic components. The companyThe company offers a wide range of products, including panel switches, PCB switches, LED indicators, joysticks, and industrial controls, catering to clients in various markets such as agricultural machinery, construction machinery, public environment, defense, and healthcare. Apem also provides a fully customized design and production solution to clients from its offices and facilities located in France, Germany, the UK, the USA, and China.
Canal Components Inc. is headquartered in New Taipei City, Taiwan. The company is a distributor of quality electrical and mechanical components to customers worldwide. The company sources from suppliers in China and Taiwan as well as perform in-house production in its ISO 9001-certified factories providing product testing. The company’s product categories include switches, sockets, fuses, and other component parts. The company also has a line of waterproof and washable electronic parts. The company bridges communication between suppliers and customers and encourages inquiries from customers about products.
Ranking as of April 2026
Derivation Method| Rank | Company | Click Share |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Apem |
100.0%
|
Derivation Method
The ranking is calculated based on the click share within the pushbutton switch page as of April 2026. Click share is defined as the total number of clicks for all companies during the period divided by the number of clicks for each company.Number of Employees
Newly Established Company
Company with a History
*Including some distributors, etc.
*Including some distributors, etc.
| Country | Number of Companies | Share (%) |
|---|---|---|
|
Taiwan
|
3 | 60.0% |
|
United States of America
|
1 | 20.0% |
|
China
|
1 | 20.0% |
119 products found - Page 2
119 products - Page 2
Nimatsu Electric Co., Ltd.
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Forward Electronics is a Taiwanese manufacturer of switches, encoders, potentiometers, and sensors founded in 1970. Since our founding, we have gra...
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ALPS ALPINE CO., LTD
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A small, thin type for switching between primary and secondary sides that also supports minute ratings.
Links International Co., Ltd.
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Nimatsu Electric Co., Ltd.
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Dawning Precision Dawning Precision is a Taiwanese switch and connector manufacturer founded in June 2006. Our main products are Tact switches, Sli...
Nimatsu Electric Co., Ltd.
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DICGU is a Taiwanese switch manufacturer founded in 1986. ■Product ・Micro switch ・Push switch ・Tact switch ・Slide switch ・Voltage selection s...
ALPS ALPINE CO., LTD
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Smooth and linear operation feeling. ■Main applications ・Automotive: Hood latches (side/back/door/gear), car navigation/car audio/HVAC, motorcycles
ALPS ALPINE CO., LTD
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Push switch that can be surface mounted with lead-free solder. ■Main applications ・Automotive: Hood latches (side/back/door/gear), car navigation...
Shinden Co., Ltd.
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This is a keyboard switch with a long lifespan (10 million cycles) by improving the internal structure while keeping the exterior appearance of K-1.
ALPS ALPINE CO., LTD
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Vertical type with two knob shapes. ■Main applications ・Audio/TV: Visual, audio, pro audio ・Automotive: Car navigation/car audio/HVAC
Shinden Co., Ltd.
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This is a keyboard switch with a long lifespan (10 million cycles) by improving the internal structure while keeping the appearance of K-9.
Shinden Co., Ltd.
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A push switch with a built-in keyboard switch K-9. It has a light touch operation feel. The buttons and case are available in a wide variety of col...
ALPS ALPINE CO., LTD
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A medium-sized vertical type designed for ease of use. ■Main applications ・Audio/TV: Visual, audio, pro audio
Shinden Co., Ltd.
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A push switch with a built-in keyboard switch K-9. It has a light touch operation feel. The buttons and case are available in a wide variety of col...
ALPS ALPINE CO., LTD
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Large horizontal type that can accommodate multiple circuits. ■Main applications ・Audio/TV: Audio
Shinden Co., Ltd.
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This is a push switch with a built-in keyboard switch 1-2 series, and the button and case are available in a wide variety of colors.
ALPS ALPINE CO., LTD
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Horizontal type that can also accommodate multiple circuits. ■Main applications ・Audio/TV: Audio
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A push switch with a built-in keyboard switch K-1000-2. It has a light touch operation feel. The buttons and case come in a wide variety of colors.
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This is a slightly larger push switch with a light operation feel. Terminal shape is solder terminal type
ALPS ALPINE CO., LTD
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Lever height 5.5mm, can be directly attached to panel. ■Main applications ・Automotive: Hood latch (side/back/door/gear)
Shinden Co., Ltd.
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A standard keyboard switch with a choice of printed circuit board terminals or solder terminals.
ALPS ALPINE CO., LTD
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Lever height 4.7mm, small horizontal type. ■Main applications ・Healthcare: Healthcare equipment/healthcare ・Automotive: Hood latch (side/back/do...
