NKK Switches Expands Availability of KP Series of Pushbutton LED Switches

SCOTTSDALE, AZ--(Marketwire - May 6, 2008) - NKK Switches, the world's leading designer and manufacturer of innovative electromechanical switching devices, announces the expanded availability of the KP Series of illuminated, silent actuation pushbutton switches. Enhancements to the KP Series of illuminated silent pushbutton switches include silent or audible actuation with shorter strokes, making it ideal for audio/video applications. These additional KP Series options offer the greatest flexibility to design engineers.

With high-quality LEDs for superior color matching, the KP Series enables designers to create customized control panels with project specific colors with low power usage. The KP series comes standard with red/green built-in LEDs, which can be combined to produce amber. High quality RGB LEDs are also available and allow for brilliant, infinite colors. The built-in LED frees engineers from having to source LEDs on their own and install them, or from having to assemble an LED into the base switch at all.

The KP illuminated pushbuttons feature a unique actuation guide to ensure positive indication of circuit transfer, the KP Series also offers an option between silent and audible actuation. In addition, design engineers are provided a choice of tactile or non-tactile feedback.

NKK further enhanced the ease of installation of the KP Series by adding a specially designed, snap-in stand off for secure PC board mounting and alignment.

Three different industry standard cap sizes are available in the KP Series, including a home key with a small divot in the center of the cap: 12mm, 15mm or 17.4mm sizes, allowing for maximum design flexibility. To complete the broadcast panel, NKK offers the rectangular cap with LEDs as well.

Rated at 100mA maximum @ 12V DC, the KP Series has twin contacts with gold plating to assure high reliability and a long life of 5 million operations minimum. Terminals are epoxy sealed to lock out flux, dust and other contaminants. Terminal spacing has standard PCB spacing of .100" (2.54mm).

A leading designer and producer of electromechanical switches, NKK Switches offers one of the industry's most extensive selections of illuminated, process sealed, miniature, specialty and surface mount switches. The company manufactures more than four million toggle, rocker, pushbutton, slide, rotary, DIP rotary, keypad and keylock switches. All switches are designed and manufactured to provide the quality and stability that has made NKK the benchmark for reliability for more than half a century.

NKK continues to lead the industry in responding to the needs of the marketplace with innovation, high reliability and a commitment to excellence. The company provides environmentally safe products for its valued customers, including the myriad of issues that are covered under the RoHS directive. NKK maintains a complete network of qualified representatives and distributors through the United States, Canada, Central and South America, Europe and Asia.

Engineers who design the man-machine interface for their products rely on the broad product line, specialized design expertise and customer support of NKK Switches. For more information, contact NKK Switches, 7850 E. Gelding Dr., Scottsdale, AZ 85260. Phone 480-991-0942. Fax 480-998-1435. Or visit the NKK Switches Web site at www.nkkswitches.com.

Contact Information: For more information, contact: Chris Walker (Connect Public Relations) 480-366-6015 Bob Wanless (NKK Switches) 480-991-0942