Faster to Build, Easier to Change: PCB or Quick Connect for Operator Controls
Board-mounted controls are usually quicker to assemble in volume.
Wired controls are usually easier to service.
The connection method you choose sets how long a front panel takes to build, and how much work it is to change later.
The RAFIX FS+ range gives you both routes from the same actuator.
One actuator, two ways to connect it
The RAFIX 22 FS+, RAFIX 30 FS+ and RAFIX 22 FSR ranges are built from an actuator and a switching element. The switching element comes in two versions: PCB, for mounting on a printed circuit board, and QC (Quick Connect), for direct wiring. Both work with the same actuators.
How they compare on the 22 mm ranges:
PCB
Depth behind the panel: 9.2 mm
Connection: soldered to the board (manual or wave)
Assembly: automated assembly on the board
Illumination: SMT LEDs on the board, single colour or RGB
Suits: standardised designs and repeat builds
Quick Connect
Depth behind the panel: about 27 mm
Connection: flat quick-connect terminals, 2.8 × 0.8 mm
Assembly: latches into the actuator without tools
Illumination: LED clips in blue, green, red, yellow or white
Suits: builds where a PCB isn't economical
The RAFIX 30 FS+ sits deeper: 15.7 mm for PCB and up to 32.8 mm for Quick Connect.
PCB version: what it changes
Depth is measured from the top of the front panel to the top of the board. At 9.2 mm on the 22 mm ranges, the depth holds even with silver contacts rated for mains voltage.
In practice:
The wiring is part of the board design, which RAFI says virtually removes assembly errors
SMT LEDs sit directly under the switching element to light the actuator
RAFI says the non-permanent connection between actuator and switching element allows easy replacement when required
Displays, tactile switches and other electronics can share the same board, under a membrane overlay
Automated assembly and soldering lower production cost, though the front panel and board design carry an upfront cost. RAFI says that is quickly recovered, particularly at higher quantities and with standardised designs
For machine builders and panel builders, that means shallower panels, fewer wiring steps and more consistent builds across repeat runs.
Quick Connect version: what it changes
Where a board doesn't make economic sense, Quick Connect keeps conventional wiring and simplifies it.
The switching element latches into the actuator with one light click, without tools
There are no coupling elements between the two
Once clicked in, they are inseparably connected, which suits environments with high vibration and shock
A built-in locating lug prevents installation errors
Complete assembly can be done away from the assembly line
The trade-off is depth. Quick Connect needs about 27 mm behind the panel on the 22 mm ranges, compared with 9.2 mm for PCB.
For machine builders, that means familiar wiring with quicker, more consistent fitting where a board isn't justified.
Gold or silver contacts
Both versions come with gold or silver contacts. Match the contact to what the element will switch.
Gold: 20 mV to 35 V, 1 mA to 100 mA, in a grey housing
Silver: 10 V to 250 V, 10 mA to 4 A, in a black housing
Rated life also depends on the load. Silver contacts are rated for 1,000,000 cycles at 1 A / 250 V AC, 100,000 at 2 A and 30,000 at 4 A. Gold contacts are rated for 1,000,000 cycles at 10 mA / 24 V DC.
Contact function is colour-coded on the element: red plunger for normally closed, green for normally open and yellow for emergency stop. The switching elements are rated from -40 °C to 85 °C, with 15 g shock resistance (11 ms) and 5 g vibration resistance (10 to 500 Hz).
Tactile feel on a flat panel
PCB builds can use a short-travel adapter with a MICON 5 tactile switch in place of the standard switching element on FS pushbuttons. It cuts travel from 4.0 mm to 2.5 mm or 1.0 mm. The MICON 5 is available in operating forces from 1.5 N to 7.0 N.
A MICON 5 SAFETY version has separate, potential-free NC and NO contacts, which RAFI says allows use in safety-relevant applications.
Questions to ask before you choose
How many of these panels will you build, and is the design standardised?
How much depth is available behind the front panel?
Will the panel see high vibration or shock?
How likely is it that controls will be changed or replaced later?
Will the elements switch low-level signals or mains voltage?
Decide early
Each option suits a different build. PCB suits standardised designs and shallow panels. Quick Connect suits builds where a board isn't economical.
If you're specifying operator controls for your next design, the Switches Plus team can help match the switching element, contacts and actuator to your application.
This article covers how the switching elements connect. For environmental protection ratings and the range of actuator styles, colours and front rings, see our earlier article.
