SPECIFICATIONS SUBJECT TO CHANGE WITHOUT NOTICE
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APEM
, PO BOX 8288, HAVERHILL, MA USA 01835-0788 TOLL FREE: (877) 246-7890 FAX: (781) 245-4531 E-mail: info@apem.com
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Free position
Position of the switch actuator when no force is
applied.
Operating position
The position of the actuator when the contact snaps.
Overtravel position
The final position of the actuator.
Release position
The position of the actuator when the contact snaps
back from the operating position to original position.
Contact opening gap
The distance between the open contact pair.
Pretravel
The distance between free and operating positions.
Overtravel
The distance the actuator travels after the contact
actuates.
Movement differential
The distance from the operating to release position of
the actuator.
Free travel
The distance between the release and free positions.
Back travel
The distance between the overtravel and release
positions.
Total travel
The sum of pretravel and overtravel.
Operating force
The force required to cause snap action of contact.
End operating force
The force to be applied to keep the actuator in the
allowed final position.
Release force
The force applied to the actuator at the moment the
contact snaps back from the operating position.
Differential force
The difference between the operating force and the
release force.
Mechanical life
The minimum number of actuations with no load on
the switch.
Electrical life
The minimum number of actuations at rated voltage,
rated current and resistive load at 20°C ambient
temperature.
FORCE vs.
TRAVEL
DIAGRAM
1 free position
2 operating position
3 overtravel position
4 release position
A total travel
B free travel
C back travel
D pretravel
E overtravel
F movement differential
I total force
II operating force
III differential force
IV release force
DEFINITIONS OF TERMS
MICRO-LIMIT SWITCHES
Micro-limit pushbutton switches are used in many applications including microwave ovens,
vending machines, copy and fax machines, medical and security equipment, computer peripherals
and many others. They are characterized by close tolerance precision switching positions and long
service life. APEM micro-limit switches are 100% electronic tested prior to shipment to insure
proper operation and conformance with specifications.
