FEATURE SWITCHES & RELAYS


MEETING THE DEMAND FOR ROBUSTNESS and environmental protection


Guy Lorenzo, product marketing manager, Bulgin, switch products, discusses how anti-vandal products are meeting the need for robustness and environmental protection in a range of applications


T


hroughout the industry, there is a demand for robust switch products


able to endure high numbers of actuations over a long period of time and, for outdoor or industrial applications to provide some degree of environmental protection. Anti-vandal products, designed to prevent intentional damage, offer a hard-wearing, sealed solution suitable for many other purposes, and have been adopted for a variety of applications, both industrial and recreational. Building on the success of its anti-vandal portfolio, Bulgin is moving towards expanding its range of robust, sealed products, beginning with a new 12mm anti-vandal switch for applications with space constraints.


A LONG-LASTING SOLUTION Bulgin is known for its robust, anti-vandal products, which have great potential for a wide range of applications. Although designed to prevent vandalism, their durability and long lifespan make them ideal for any control system that will experience a large number of actuations. With a variety of actuator options


available, as well as dot or ring illumination on several models, their appearance is attractive, which is essential for applications such as marketing kiosks in retail stores. Anti-vandal switches are particularly beneficial in the security arena, where they are frequently used in the manufacture of building security devices for public complexes, entry ways, safety gates, industrial applications and even in prisons.


But robustness is not the only


consideration. Public access kiosks, for example, are likely to be exposed to the outdoor elements and require switches that are not only durable and sufficiently long-lasting to cope with heavy use, but also offer protection against the external environment; a sealed product is essential. This combination of robustness and weatherproofing is also ideal in situations where technical equipment must be used outdoors, sometimes in extreme conditions, for example shipboard instrumentation.


12 MAY 2016 | ELECTRONICS


INTRODUCING NEW VARIANTS While the existing anti-vandal options address the needs of a broad range of applications, there is scope to extend the traditional offering to include different variants. These could include smaller options designed for applications with space constraints, or maintained – rather than momentary – illuminated push buttons. Updated power saving and environmental


wer saving


legislation is continualllyly being introduced,


creating opportunities to develop new, regulatory-


compliant switches, for example, timer switches for


e s “The use of standard


anti-vandal products has become commonplace, generating a demand for


electrical appliances. In addition to anti- vandal switches made entirely from metal, there is also a need for complementary, cost- effective, metal-plastic options that still deliver a degree of robustness within budget limitations. The increasing


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Figure 2:


miniaturisation of end products means that there is also growing demand for smaller switch variants. Many of these products will require robust, long-lasting switches able to withstand numerous actuations, as well as environmental protection; anti-vandal switches are a


This new product works across a wide range of operating temperatures and offers IP67-rated sealing


additional variants, such as the smaller 12mm switch for space constraints ...”


Figure 1:


Bulgin’s new 12mm anti- vandal switch made of high quality stainless steel


good choice. Bulgin’s new 12mm anti- vandal switch is designed to meet this need. Made of high quality stainless steel, this new product works across a wide range of operating temperatures and offers IP67-rated sealing, perfectly complementing the existing product portfolio. Identical in appearance and function to its standard counterparts, this fully-sealed and equally robust smaller variant is ideal for any application with space constraints, such as compact instrumentation, audio equipment or hand-held units typically used to control drones.


BUILT TO LAST


Robust, sealed switches are a prerequisite for any application that experiences repeated actuations over a long period of time or requires protection from the external environment. Designers have realised that anti-vandal switches, originally introduced to prevent i


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inteintentional damage, are equally suitable for other purposes, offering a sealed solution with the durability and long llifespan that is essential for any control system.


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commonplace, generating a demand for additional variants, such as the smaller 12mm switch for applications with space constraints. Manufacturers must take up the challenge to create the next generation of devices to meet the growing plethora of end application demands and needs.


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next ge growi


deman Bulgin


www.bulgin.com T: 01223 371000


Today, the use of standard anti- vandal products has become


/ ELECTRONICS


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