Mechanical

Switches
 o Mechanical keyboards are defined by their mechanical
switches.

o Key switches are one of the most important aspects of any

keyboard. Knowing your switches can help you make the
most out of your raise and change your overall
experience.
 What are Mechanical Switches & Why they are
important
Underneath each key of a
mechanical keyboard is a
mechanism called switch.
These switches have a variety
of response, noise, and travel
times which make them
attractive to gamers and heavy
typists.
 When pressing a key, you get instant
tactile feedback. This makes typing
easier on the fingers. You also get audio
feedback, that unique clicky sound, the
sound of a traditional keyboard. The
feedback helps you recognize a key
press, and it can help improve your
productivity as well as your speed when
using keyboard.
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 Different types of
Mechanical Switches

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 1. Linear
Linear switches are coveted for
their quiet, smooth action that’s
free of any interference from
tactility. The keystroke is a
straight downward drop with no
tactile bump or click leaf.
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 2. Tactile
Tactile switches have a small tactile bump
that provides resistance which can be felt at the
point of key actuation. The switch itself is
practically inaudible, omitting the click sound
present in clicky switches. Tactile switches are
versatile performers that cope well with a variety
of different typing tasks.
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 3. Clicky
A clicky switch does exactly as the name
implies. They feature a distinct click sound that
can be heard when the switch is fully actuated.
Clicky switches also offer feedback in the form of
tactile resistance that must be overcome to
actuate switch and register a keystroke. They
often have hysteresis, trait for gaming purposes.
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Mechanical Relay

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› Mechanical relays are devices that can turn on or off
the power supplied to another device, like a switch.
However, instead of having a person flip the switch,
mechanical relays switch when provided with a small
amount of power. This allows high-power circuits to
be controlled by low-power devices.

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› They perform the same function as Solid State Relay,
except they are less expensive and have a shorter
lifespan. You can use them to control LEDs, heaters,
appliances and generally any powered device as long
as the power you’re switching falls within the limits
of the relay you’re using.

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How it works?

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› Mechanical relays use an electromagnetic coil to
open or close the circuit. When current runs
through the input and energizes the coil, it creates
a small magnetic field which either pulls the arm of
the switch away from the other contact of the
switch, or pushes it down to close the switch
depending on how the switch is made.
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› A relay also serves as an isolator, because
the control (input) and load (output) ends of
the relay are not electrically connected. This
allows you to protect the device you’re using
to control the relay from power surges in
your application
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QUIZ
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 Part I: MODIFIED TRUE OR FALSE
1) Key switches are one of the most important aspects of any
keyboard.
2) When current runs through the input and energizes the coil, it
creates a big magnetic field.
3) When pressing a key, you get instant tactile feedback.
4) The load (output) and control (input) ends of the relay are not
electrically connected.
5) Switches use an electromagnetic coil to open or close the circuit.
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 Part II: ANSWER THE FOLLOWING
1) How many types of mechanical switches
were presented?
2-4) Enumerate the types of mechanical
switches.
5) What is the title of the presentation?
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 Part III: FILL IN THE BLANKS
1) Underneath each key of a mechanical keyboard is a
mechanism called _ _ _ _ _ _.
2) A relay also serves as an _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _.
3) Mechanical _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ are defined by their
4) mechanical _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _.
5) Mechanical relays are _ _ _ _ _ _ _ that can turn on or off the
power supplied to another device, like a switch.
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Part IV: LECTURE

+ 3 pts

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ANSWERS
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 I (7pts) II (5pts) III (5pts) IV (3pts)
1) True 1) 3 1) switch
2) Small (2 pts) 2) Linear 2) isolator
3) True 3) Tactile 3) keyboards
4) True 4) Clicky 4) switches
5) Mechanical 5) Mechanical 5) devices
relays (2pts) Switches
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