Electronic component identification

Posted by: wfaulk

Electronic component identification - 15/04/2010 17:01

I have a PBX telephone that has gone bad solely due to the switch that deals with the hook button. It's a simple switch, but in order to replace it, I need to find one that is physically identical, as it has to line up with some plastic parts. And I can't find it.



"DC" is the only marking on the switch, unless there's something on the bottom touching the PCB. It's a momentary DPDT switch, normally connecting the middle and top pins, and momentarily connecting the middle and bottom pins. There are two rows of the three pins, which accounts for the DP part of the description. There's spring pushing the button upwards. The box is about 3/8" × 5/16" × 1/2". That's wide/deep/tall in relation to the photo.

I've looked through a number of catalogs and can't find anything that comes close to resembling that pseudo-right-angle attachment, and searching for "electronics switch DC", not surprisingly, isn't terribly helpful.

Anyone have any ideas?
Posted by: mlord

Re: Electronic component identification - 15/04/2010 18:21

Worst case: open up the existing switch, clean/lube contacts, maybe even reverse the contacts to even out the wear.

Cheers
Posted by: wfaulk

Re: Electronic component identification - 15/04/2010 18:40

Oh, I already did that, but there's no way the repair is going to last.

There are two tiny metal clips that sit inside the plastic body of the switch button that ride over the connectors. One of the clips had gotten slightly bent and was preventing the switch from returning to its normal position. I tried to bend it back, but the metal is so delicate and the parts so small that, despite the fact that it works right now, the clip is quite mangled. I'm amazed that it works at all.
Posted by: siberia37

Re: Electronic component identification - 15/04/2010 20:33

You're probably just going to have to find a switch that is close enough and make it work with duct tape, glue and bailing wire. It's a time honored American tradition.
Posted by: tman

Re: Electronic component identification - 15/04/2010 20:41

What siberia37 said. It is either that or find another broken phone and take the switch assuming its still working.
Posted by: RobotCaleb

Re: Electronic component identification - 15/04/2010 21:25

Or just a co-worker's phone. Broken or not, you're more important. smile
Posted by: wfaulk

Re: Electronic component identification - 16/04/2010 00:08

Oh, duh. I do have a broken one lying about.