August 2025
www.us-tech.com Gold-Plated vs. Silver Contacts...
Continued from previous page well-suited for:
l Low-level signal applications, typically below 20V and under 200 mA lRemote or outdoor E-Stop systems that are
exposed to the elements lInstrumentation, audio, and video systems
where signal integrity is paramount lEnvironments with high humidity, dust, or
corrosive agents that would otherwise degrade silver
One additional innovation worth noting
is the use of homogenous silver/gold alloy contacts. These are not just gold-plated — rather, the contact pill is composed of a blend of silver and gold, providing the advantages of both materials. These alloy contacts perform reliably at both low and high voltage levels, maintain low resistance, and are exceptionally durable — even in harsh environmental conditions. For premium switch applications with long service life require- ments, they are an ideal solution.
Load Ranges and Application Limits
The correct contact material
must be matched to the electrical load and intended use of the switch:
l High-Level Applications (24 to 380V, 100 mA to 10A): Silver con- tacts shine in high-power switch- ing, such as industrial machinery or household appliances that need UL or IEC certification. Here, the self-cleaning nature of silver ensures that oxidation does not degrade performance.
l Low-Level Applications (5 to 250V, 1 mA to 5A): In environ- ments where signal switching occurs without direct load trans- fer — like control panels or machine interfaces operating at 24V — gold-plated contacts offer superior reliability due to their resistance to contamination.
lVery Low-Level Applications (2 to 75V, 0.2 to 100 mA): Applications such as measure- ment devices, A/V equipment, or fine control circuits demand sta- ble connections at low currents. Gold-plated contacts are critical here to ensure clean signal trans- mission and avoid intermittent failures caused by contact degra- dation.
In comparing the two, silver
contacts typically have a mini- mum operational requirement of around 20V and 50 mA, while gold-plated contacts can operate at as low as 1V and 5 mA, with a maximum range of about 24V and 200 mA.
Key Considerations Gold is a precious metal and
thus significantly more expen- sive than silver. While its per- formance justifies the cost in low- signal or harsh environments, using gold where it’s not required can result in unnecessary manu-
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facturing expense. On the other hand, silver is cost-effective and performs well in many high-load applications, as long as oxidation can be managed. In polluted, wet, or humid conditions,
silver contacts degrade much faster due to oxidation, especially if there isn’t enough electrical current to self-clean the contacts.
Gold-plated and silver/gold alloy contacts offer a robust alternative that retains relia- bility despite exposure to environmental con- taminants. For applications requiring exceptional
longevity — often measured in decades — homogenous silver/gold alloy contacts pro- vide the best of both worlds. They can handle switching at higher voltages such as 110 VDC or 250 VAC and still maintain low resistance and resistance to oxidation, mak- ing them particularly suitable for mission- critical systems that require stable perform- ance over many years. The choice between gold-plated and sil-
ver contacts hinges on the application’s spe- cific needs. For high-current and high-volt- Continued on page 53
Page 49
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