Panasonic Corporation Electromechanical Control Business Division
industrial.panasonic.com/ac/e/
Technical Terminology & Cautions for Use (Operation Switches)
Panasonic Corporation 2021
AECTB38E 202110
CAUTIONS FOR USE
Environment of use
1) Please consult us when using under the following conditions:
• Environments where hydrogen sulfide or other corrosive gases are
present.
• Environments where gasoline, thinner or other flammable,
explosive gases are present.
• Dusty environments (for non-seal type snap action switches).
• Use in environments not in the prescribed temperature or humidity
range.
• Places with low air pressure.
2) Unless specified the product will not be constructed to withstand
water, oil or explosions. Please inquire if you intend to use the
product in special applications.
Usage, storage, and transport conditions
1) During usage, storage, or transportation, avoid locations subject to
direct sunlight and maintain normal temperature, humidity, and
pressure conditions.
2) The allowable specifications for environments suitable for usage,
storage, and transportation are given below.
(1) Temperature: The allowable temperature range differs for each
switch, so refer to the switch’s individual specifications.
(2) Humidity: 5 to 85% R.H.
(3) Pressure: 86 to 106 kPa
The humidity range varies with the temperature. Use within the
range indicated in the graph below.
(The allowable temperature depends on the switch.)
5
85
Humidity (％ RH)
Avoid icing
when used at
temperatures
lower than 0°C
Avoid con-
densation when
used at tem-
peratures higher
than 0°C
Allowable range
Ambient temperature (℃)
0
85
-40
Condensation will occur inside the switch if there is a sudden
change in ambient temperature when used in an atmosphere of
high temperature and high humidity. This is particularly likely to
happen when being transported by ship, so please be careful of
the atmosphere when shipping. Condensation is the phenomenon
whereby steam condenses to cause water droplets that adhere to
the switch when an atmosphere of high temperature and humidity
rapidly changes from a high to low temperature or when the
switch is quickly moved from a low humidity location to one of high
temperature and humidity.
Please be careful because condensation can cause adverse
conditions such as deterioration of insulation, coil cutoff, and rust.
Condensation or other moisture may freeze on the switch when
the temperatures is lower than 0°C. This causes problems such as
sticking of movable parts or operational time lags.
The plastic becomes brittle if the switch is exposed to a low
temperature, low humidity environment for long periods of time.
Storage for extended periods of time (including transportation
periods) at high temperatures or high humidity levels or in
atmospheres with organic gases or sulfide gases may cause a
sulfide film or oxide film to form on the surfaces of the contacts and/
or it may interfere with the functions. Check out the atmosphere in
which the units are to be stored and transported.
In terms of the packing format used, make every effort to keep the
effects of moisture, organic gases and sulfide gases to the
absolute
minimum.
Wiring
1) When using a P/C board terminal switch as soldering terminals, use
thin lead wires and be sure to wind them on the terminals before
soldering.
2) Cautions when soldering
Perform soldering quickly in accordance with the specified
conditions. Be careful not to let flux flow into the product. When no
instruction is specified, use a soldering iron with a tip temperature of
350 C or lower and complete soldering within five seconds. Do not
pull on the lead wires immediately after soldering. Wait some time
before verifying.
Others
1) Failure modes of switches include short-circuiting, opencircuiting
and temperature rises. If this switch is to be used in equipment
where safety is a prime consideration, examine the possible effects
of these failures on the equipment concerned, and ensure safety by
providing protection circuits or protection devices. In terms of the
systems involved, make provision for redundancy in the design and
take steps to achieve safety design.
2) The ambient operating temperature (and humidity) range quoted is
the range in which the switch can be operated on a continuous
basis: it does not mean that using the switch within the rating
guarantees the durability performance and environment
withstanding performance of the switch. For details on the
performance guarantee, check the specifications of each product
concerned.
3) Even if 2-pole, 3-pole or 4-pole switches are used as singlepole
switches in order to increase contact reliability, please keep the
maximum current no higher than the rated value.
4) If there is the possibility of a short between poles, please use an
in-phase circuit as shown below or provide a spare pole.
Load 1
Load 1
Load 1
Load 2
Load 2
Load 2
Bad example
Good example①
Good example②
Heteropolar circuit
In-phase circuit
Spare pole
5) Be careful not to drop the product as this may cause loss of
functionality.
6) Do not apply an unreasonable vertical force against the direction of
operation of the product.
7) Use your hand to operate the actuator.
(Operation using a tool such as a screwdriver or hammer can cause
breakdown.)
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