Are there any momentary push buttons suitable for high power?

[LazyBeam]

Are there any momentary push buttons for high power applicarions?
Most small SPST momentary push buttons are just fine for smaller currents and I have one that is working well in my 180mW bluray even though it is already being pushed it's rating. But I'm not sure what's going to happen when I try to push >1.5A through one of these small buttons and would rather not try.

Are there any small (5mm-8mm) momentary push button or slide swtiches that are rated OK for high power transmission? I'd even settle for a higher power switch that I only have to overdrive by about 50%... I just don't feel comfortable pumping 10X the rated current through one of these switches.

And what's up with all of them being rated in "VA"... I know it's not power (ie: watts = Volts * Amps) but I also am not sure what they mean by that rating. Horribly misleading... any ideas?

 

[Rafa]

Volt-ampere - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
I think they may be rated in that.

Just buy some better pushbuttons rated for higer currents.

 

[mojo_1234]

why should you "send" the whole current through this small switch? Just use a tiny power mosfet for this... you only need two extra parts - the mosfet and a simple resistor... it's so simple :beer:

In general, the N-type mosfet are easy to get and are available for any current you need (100A+). And the circuit doesn't sucks your battery...

Have Fun!

mo

 

[LazyBeam]

Well, the reason someone might want to use a 6mm momentary push button is because space is very very limited and compactness is required. If someone has room for another resistor and mosfet they likely have room for some larger common switches (which can handle 4V @ 1.5A...

 

[mojo_1234]

There are quite tiny SMD mosfets available which are capable to drive currents up 5A. I guess these would fit on any driver available...

 

[LazyBeam]

Could you link some? I am woefully ignorant in the ways of electrical componets and design...

 

[LarryDFW]

Lazy Beam;

Look at some of the electronics surplus houses.

Here is one at a store near me:

Push On/Push Off

and another:

http://www.allelectronics.com

They should handle a couple of amps.

Microswitches can also handle the current, but they harder to mount.

LarryDFW

 

[drlava]

The MicroBoost Drive driver has a low-current ttl control input modification that can be dine to use low current switches like this, if you like.