Do you really understand piezo switches? Piezo switches are a special type of push button switches. Whether you are a novice in this industry or an expert who knows a lot about switches, I hope this article can give you more inspiration.
What Is A Piezo Switch?
First of all, we need to understand what PIEZO or PIEZOELECTRICITY is.
The piezoelectric effect was discovered by French physicists Pierre Curie and Jacques Curie in 1880. This effect only occurs in some crystal materials with non-centrosymmetric structures, such as piezoelectric ceramics, quartz crystals, etc. When an external force is applied, an electric charge is generated on the surface of the material, thus forming an electrical signal. This is the positive piezoelectric effect. On the contrary, when an electric field is applied to these materials, mechanical deformation occurs. This is the inverse piezoelectric effect.
The piezoelectric effect is actually used in very common devices, such as piezoelectric sensors, ultrasonic equipment, ignition devices, and piezoelectric switches.
Generally speaking, a push button switch usually requires a certain amount of mechanical force to press, and the internal structure spring, double gold and silver point contacts close the circuit to make the switch operate, while the piezo switch mainly controls the on and off of the circuit by generating charges in the piezoelectric element under the action of external force.
In short, the piezo switch is an electronic component based on the piezoelectric effect, which has a longer life, is safer, and has higher efficiency than ordinary push button switches.
Advantages and Disadvantages of Piezo Switches
Advantages of Piezo Switches
Compared with push button switches, piezo switches have their own advantages and are becoming more and more popular in practical applications.
High Sensitivity: The piezo switch uses the charge generated by contact to operate the switch. The contact head has high sensitivity and can sense the charge generated by slight pressure, thereby operating the switch.
Long Electrical Life: Piezo switches can be operated with just a light press, and there is no movable key head that needs to be pressed, so there is no mechanical wear, which slows down the aging of parts and greatly increases the electrical life of the switch.
Low Power Consumption: Piezo switches do not require electrical energy, and only require a simple press to generate an electric charge, which greatly reduces the power consumption of the switch.
High Reliability: The integrated design converts external mechanical pressure into signals, ensuring accuracy and high responsiveness.
Diverse Functions: The unique performance of piezo switches is suitable for use in many industries and has a wide range of applications. It can be used for sensing functions, environmental monitoring, feedback functions, etc.
Strong Adaptability: The improvement of IP rating enables piezo switches to work normally in extreme environments. Under some special conditions, only piezo switches can start and shut down equipment normally, thereby improving social productivity.
In short, piezo switches have many advantages, which is why they can be used in various industries. These advantages can help switches improve efficiency, reduce accidents, and ensure safety during use.
Disadvantages of Piezo Switches
Piezo switches are known for their durability and robustness, but there are still some drawbacks
High cost: Piezo switches are often 2-3 times more expensive than regular button switches due to complex production.
Low sensitivity: Piezo switches require firm pressure and are not suitable for light-touch scenarios
Temperature Sensitivity: Piezo switches do not work well at extreme temperatures. If the temperature is too high, it becomes weaker at generating power; if the temperature is too low, it may become brittle and prone to cracking. Both conditions may cause unstable signals. robustness
Types of Piezo Switches
By Material
Stainless Steel: Stainless steel is resistant to corrosion and fogging, making it well-suited for use in harsh environments. It has a longer lifespan than switches made of other materials.
Plastic: Plastic is lightweight and easy to press. It is great for indoor use, especially for office equipment and household appliances.
Aluminum Oxide: Oxidized aluminum comes in various colors like red, green, black, and gold. It is the best choice for damp locations such as cargo ships, yachts and swimming pools.
By Function
Momentary Piezo Switch: This type of switch starts when pressed and turns off when released. It is commonly used in elevators for quick shut-off.
Latching Piezo Switch: Stays on or off until pressed again to reset. Widely used in devices like light switches that require sustained operation.
What Are Piezo Switch Used For
The powerful functions and features of piezo switches can be applied to various industries, common industries include:
Ships: The high IP characteristics and high sealing performance of IP69K of piezo switches are widely used in ships and underwater equipment, such as yachts and diving equipment.
Household Appliances: Piezo switches have the advantages of low power consumption and fast response speed, so they can be used in some household appliances and can also be used for smart home control, such as smart lighting, security systems, etc.
Industrial Automation: Piezo switches have no mechanical wear, higher durability and high sensitivity, so they can be used in mechanical control, production lines, etc. to reduce errors and improve production efficiency.
Medical Equipment: The advantages of high sensitivity and high stability are exactly what medical equipment needs, such as some monitoring instruments, surgical equipment, etc.
Automobile Aerospace: Piezo switches are mainly used in control panels of high-speed railways, aircraft and other components. They have fast response speed and high reliability, ensuring safety during operation.
Environmental Monitoring: The high sensitivity of piezo switches can capture even the slightest changes, making them ideal for monitoring functions such as weather stations, pollution monitoring equipment, etc.
In short, you can see piezo switches in various industries.
How Does A Piezo Switch Work
The piezo switch works based on the piezoelectric effect, so piezoelectric switch how it works can also be understood as the working principle of the piezoelectric effect.
The piezoelectric effect is that when a piezoelectric material is subjected to an external force, an electric charge is generated, which in turn generates an electrical signal. This process is bidirectional, and the generation of an electrical signal will also cause the piezoelectric material to produce mechanical deformation. These are the two manifestations of the piezoelectric effect, the positive voltage effect and the negative voltage effect.
The positive voltage effect means that when a piezoelectric material is subjected to an external force, its internal structure will produce a slight deformation, the internal charge will be redistributed, and a potential difference will be generated, thereby generating an electrical signal that the circuit can detect.
The reverse voltage effect is the interaction between the charges inside the piezoelectric material and the external electric field, causing mechanical deformation of the internal structure of the piezoelectric material.
The working principle of a piezo switch has three steps. When external pressure acts on the piezoelectric material, an electric charge will be generated inside the material. This is the first step, which is the effect of mechanical pressure. In the second step, the charge separation will generate an electrical signal. In the third step, the circuit will detect the electrical signal that forms a certain threshold, thereby triggering the switch and completing the operation.
How to Wire A Piezo Switch
Many people think piezo switch wiring is complicated, but it’s much easier than you think. I’ll tell you the detailed wiring steps so you can DIY it yourself at home. First, you’ll need two wires: one red and one black. Connect the red wire to the power source and the black wire to the device you want to control. You can also place a resistor between the switch and the control board to improve security. This will prevent signal overloading. If you want to install the piezo button switch in a factory environment, be sure to use shielded cable. Otherwise, electromagnetic interference from other equipment could disrupt the piezo switch. If it is installed at the seaside, you should use waterproof and rustproof stainless steel connectors. This will effectively extend the lifespan of the piezo switch.
How Long Does A Piezo Switch Last
Piezo switches are highly durable. Under normal use and without damage, piezo switches have a very long lifetime. The high-quality piezo switch can even be used more than 50 million times. This means that if you press the piezo switch 1,000 times a day, it could last about 137 years. How amazing is that? The key to the long life of a piezo switch is its lack of physical contacts, which reduces wear and tear. In addition, they also use a special ceramic material that keeps them responsive even after hundreds of millions of presses. In daily life, you’ll find piezo switches in subway ticket machines, which still work accurately even after years of heavy use.
How Do I Know If My Piezo Switch Is Broken
Have you ever wondered if your piezo switch is working or broken? I’ll show you a few simple ways to check by yourself.
No response: The piezo switch can be pressed normally, but doesn’t respond. This may mean that the ceramic inside is damaged.
Intermittent sensitivity: After pressing the switch, the piezo push button switch sometimes works and sometimes doesn’t. It could be that the switch is damp.
False activation: The switch activates on its own without being pressed. This may be due to electromagnetic interference.
Test with a multimeter: If there is no change in voltage when the switch is pressed, it’s time to replace it.
FAQ
What functions does a piezo switch have?
Piezo switches have functions such as light, waterproof, NONC, momentary, latching, etc., so piezo switches are divided into piezo light switches, momentary piezo switches, etc.
What is the difference between a piezo switch and a capacitive switch?
The main difference is the working principle, one is based on the piezoelectric effect, and the other is based on the principle of capacitance change.
What materials are piezo switches made of?
Common materials include stainless steel 316L, aluminum and plastic materials.
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