This section provides an overview for dip switches as well as their applications and principles. Also, please take a look at the list of 24 dip switch manufacturers and their company rankings. Here are the top-ranked dip switch companies as of September, 2023: 1.Cit Relay & Switch, 2.NEXUS COMPONENTS GmbH, 3.CUI Devices.
Table of Contents
A DIP switch is small switches used in printed circuit boards. They are tiny, with a distance of about 3 mm between terminals and a height of about 3 mm, and are switched with a precision screwdriver or the like. They are used as setting switches and are used for infrequent operations.
Operating methods include slide switches, push-lock switches, and rotary switches. There are also types that are inserted into a hole in the board or mounted on the board. Various types are available in terms of the number of poles and sealing performance.
DIP switches are incorporated into a wide range of products, including home appliances, communications equipment, and audio equipment. In industrial applications, they are used in temperature controllers and servo controllers.
They are also used in office automation equipment, for example, in personal computers and storage boards. They are mainly used for basic settings of electronic equipment. To withstand a wide variety of usage conditions, various types are available, including heat-resistant types that can withstand high temperatures and low-profile types.
Like an ordinary switch, DIP switches are used to switch on and off to conduct or disconnect circuits. A knob called a striker and a sliding element are interlocked, and the circuit is switched when the sliding element and the contact point make contact or open. The striker also serves as a weight that brings the slider and contacts into contact.
The contacts and terminals are molded together with the base resin. The base resin is made of highly heat-resistant plastic because it is subject to high temperatures during soldering. By molding the components as one piece, the size and weight can be reduced. The base resin also serves to protect the terminals.
There are two types of contact terminal shapes: those that are inserted into board holes and those that are surface-mounted. Since the switch is likely to be left unattended for a long period of time, gold plating may be applied to the contacts to prevent oxidation. Some products have a self-cleaning mechanism that cleans the contacts during sliding to remove foreign matter and oxides.
DIP switches are so small that a fine-tipped screwdriver or tweezers are required to switch them.
There are different types of switches for different applications. The following types of switches are used in a variety of industrial and consumer applications.
Other than the actuator, there are various types depending on the mounting method, number of poles, and other characteristics.
The structure of DIP switches consists of four parts: the cover, the striker, the slider, and the base. The cover is an injection-molded resin part that covers the top surface of the switch. It mates with the base to protect the internal mechanism.
The striker is the actuator of the switch. It transmits force to the slider to actuate the contacts. The striker is a movable contact made of a fabricated metal plate or other material. The base integrates the metal terminal and contacts by resin injection molding, and is made of heat-resistant resin material.
*Including some distributors, etc.
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Founded in 1976 and headquartered in Austin, TX, National Instruments Corporation provides a software-centric platform and systems to engineers and scientists worldwide. NI’s software is used for automated test and measurement applications in manufacturing environment for configuring real-time testing application, sensor configuration and data logging of mixed signals, and monitoring ancillary rotating equipment. NI’s software also enables the mass coordination of connected devices, software deployments, and data communications throughout distributed systems. Recently, NI has begun to develop test systems and solutions for autonomous driving software and hardware validation.
CTS Corporation was founded in 1896 and is headquartered in Lisle, Illinois. CTS is a manufacturer and distributor of sensors, actuators, and various connectivity components to telecommunications infrastructure, information technology, and other high-speed applications such as the aerospace and medical markets. CTS operates in 3 primary market segments: Sense, Connect, and Move. The Sense market segment includes controls such as potentiometers, pedals, sensors, and switches. The Connect segment includes various types of resistors, capacitors, and frequency control products. The move segment includes piezoelectric move products, rotary actuators, and thermal products including ZIF PC board retainers and heatsinks.
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
CIT Relay & Switch is based in Rogers, Minnesota, and is a manufacturer of RoHS-compliant electromechanical relays and switches with the ability to offer integrated solutions for individual customers’ design needs. CIT’s relays are commonly used in automobiles and low-voltage operations. CIT’s switch catalog includes varieties such as surface mount, panel mount, tactile, pushbutton, and more. CIT has a lab for a new design, validation product testing, IQC, failure analysis, and material testing. IQC ensures documented reliability by testing contact material, resistance, dielectric strength, and other parameters. CIT also provides engineering and application support for materials and processes.
E-Switch, established in 1979 and headquartered in Minneapolis, Minnesota, is a manufacturer and supplier of electromechanical switches. Their diverse product range includes pushbuttons, rocker switches, toggle switches, and safety switches. These are available in various types, such as momentary, latching, and illuminated, offering variable control options for appliances, industrial equipment, and medical devices. Additionally, E-Switch provides safety switches like emergency stop switches and door interlock switches to ensure the protection of individuals and equipment in industrial settings. E-Switch offers custom-designed switches, serving a wide range of industries, including appliances, industrial equipment, medical devices, and transportation.
Grayhill, founded in 1943 with headquarters in the USA, is an ISO 9001-certified manufacturer of principle switch interface products, PC-based control systems, and industrial wireless data communication devices. The company's products include board-level DIP switches, tactile switches, keypads, custom keyboards, and miniature enclosed rotary switches for original equipment manufacturers in the healthcare, military, and off-highway markets. Grayhill offers standard products, tailored products, and tailored assemblies. The company also holds AS9100D and ISO 14001:2015 certifications, as well as the SAE AS9100 Revision D Quality Management System (QMS) for defense organizations.
ALPS ALPINE CO., established in 1948, is a manufacturer and supplier of sensors&communication, modules&systems, and components based in Tokyo, Japan. The company serves the energy, healthcare, automotive, mobile, and consumer electronics domains, where they combine and build on core device technology, including human-machine interfaces, SENSORING™, and connectivity. For example, in the healthcare industry, they supply components for medical equipment, including control switches, sensors, lenses, and joysticks, and the Senclear™ Microfluidic Devices for drug discovery and development. Their power conversion modules, current sensors inverters, and converters are used in the energy industry in storage batteries, solar power systems, and electric vehicle charging systems.
Diptronics Manufacturing Inc. was founded in 1985 as a manufacturer of switches in New Taipei City, Taiwan. The company designs and produces Illuminated, Rotary coded, Dip, Tact, and Slide switches along with Micro and Multifunctional switches which are used in the 3C industry for tablets, digital cameras, drones, etc. They have applications in the motherboards, LCD Panels, and modems that represent the IT industry and besides these, medical devices, smart wearables, automatic home appliances, and the automobile industry also benefit from the switches supplied by Diptronics Manufacturing Inc.
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.
NIDEC COPAL ELECTRONICS was established in Japan in April, 1967 as a specialty manufacturer of electronic components. NIDEC’s offerings have increased to serve the automotive, construction, medical equipment, FA equipment, analytical measuring equipment, and residential security industries. Among the offerings are components for LiDAR, railway pressure sensors, CPAP, dialysis, MRI, and ultrasonography machines, wireless base stations, and power tools. These components include switches, sensors, mirrors, motors, and fans.
Excel Cell Electronic, founded in 1981 is a manufacturer and supplier of electromechanical components and stamping products headquartered in Taiwan. The company offers electromechanical components including industrial control switches, stepping motors, terminal blocks, resettable fuses, and relays. Their stamping products include heat spreaders for BGA, high-precision electronic components, and lead frames of semiconductors for discrete devices / integrated circuit & photoelectric products. The company is ISO/TS 16949:2009, CNS15506: 2011, TOSHMS: 2007, ISO 14001, and ISO 9001-certified, and their products are used in various applications in optoelectronic, security systems, power energy, network, and communication industries.
Würth Elektronik Group, established in 1969 in Germany, is a manufacturer and supplier of quality electronic and electromechanical components. Their extensive product catalog includes passive components, connectors, inductors, sensors, and more, catering to various industries like automotive, telecommunications, and industrial automation. Würth Elektronik's components are integral to building ideal electronic circuits, enabling seamless data transfer and power management. Courtesy of its creativity and sustainability, it aims to provide cutting-edge solutions and good customer service, meeting the diverse needs of its global clientele.
SWEETA was established in 1995 and is headquartered in New Taipei City, Taiwan. SWEETA is a manufacturer of switches, AC sockets, and circuit breakers globally. Most products have been certified to meet international safety standards such as UL, CSA, VDE, and others. SWEETA has an extensive product line. A few listings include AC sockets, plug adapters, switches, thermostats, and test tweezers.
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.
Knitter-switch, founded in 1992 and based in Baldham, Germany, is a manufacturer and supplier of switches. They offer a range of switches, including toggle switches to control device power, pushbuttons to activate devices, as well as rotary switches and encoders to measure object position or speed in applications like machine tools, robots, and conveyors. Knitter-switch also offers custom-designed switches to meet unique customer requirements. These products find application in various industries, including appliances, industrial equipment, medical devices, and transportation.
OMRON Electronic Components Europe is the European division of OMRON Corporation, which is based in Kyoto, Japan, and has head offices around the world. The European division has its own development and manufacturing facilities providing local customer support provided in all European countries. The European division produces PCBs and other components for the eSports, alternative energy, automated test equipment, and entertainment industries. The company’s four primary product divisions are relays, switches, connectors, and sensors including flow sensors and IoT sensors.
AUK Contractors Co., Ltd., established in 1983 and headquartered in New Taipei City, Taiwan, is a manufacturer of connectors, cable assemblies, and precision metal stamping products. Their wide range of connectors includes board-to-board connectors, cable connectors, and terminal blocks, serving applications in telecommunications, industrial automation, and medical devices to ensure smooth data and power transmission. The company adheres to ISO 14001 environmental management standards, IATF 16949, and ISO 9001 for quality management.
Hybrid Electronics is a global distribution specialist of electronic components, with access to over 50 million unique components. Among the markets HE serves are the aerospace, automotive, communications, defense, industrial, medical, national security, and test & measurement industries. In addition to components, HE also provides quality and compliance testing, counterfeit detection, upscreening, and other forms of quality control. Examples of component subtypes that HE offers include ICs, batteries, capacitors, semiconductor products, sensors, circuit protection, interconnectors, filters, optoelectronics, relays, switches, power supplies, and cables and cable assemblies.
Ranking as of September 2023 in United States of America
Derivation MethodRank | Company | Click Share |
---|---|---|
1 | Cit Relay & Switch |
16.0%
|
2 | NEXUS COMPONENTS GmbH |
12.0%
|
3 | CUI Devices |
12.0%
|
4 | Diptronics |
12.0%
|
5 | NIDEC COPAL ELECTRONICS |
12.0%
|
6 | Sweeta Products Corporation |
8.0%
|
7 | ECE |
8.0%
|
8 | Hybrid Electronics Corporation |
4.0%
|
9 | Midcom |
4.0%
|
10 | Canal Components Inc. |
4.0%
|
Ranking as of September 2023 Globally
Derivation MethodRank | Company | Click Share |
---|---|---|
1 | Cit Relay & Switch |
16.0%
|
2 | NEXUS COMPONENTS GmbH |
12.0%
|
3 | CUI Devices |
12.0%
|
4 | Diptronics |
12.0%
|
5 | NIDEC COPAL ELECTRONICS |
12.0%
|
6 | Sweeta Products Corporation |
8.0%
|
7 | ECE |
8.0%
|
8 | Hybrid Electronics Corporation |
4.0%
|
9 | Midcom |
4.0%
|
10 | Canal Components Inc. |
4.0%
|
Derivation Method
The ranking is calculated based on the click share within the dip switch page as of September 2023. 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
10 products are listed.
Sea Yeui Japan
Cui Devices DIP switches include piano, rotary, and slide types, with a variety of pitches of 1.27, 2.54, or 5.08mm, 1 to 16 positions, surface mou...