July 27, 2021

CPI Chips Away at Forestry Equipment Market

CPI Chips Away at Forestry OEM’s

Another industry that has discovered the special qualities of CPI waterproof limit switches is certainly in the area of forestry equipment manufacturers. Consider the operational characteristics of your average wood chipper:

Sits out in the rain for long periods of time.
Involves the safety management of high power blades, motors, and conveyance systems.
Vibrates like crazy during normal operation
Gets very hot over long periods of continuous use
Expensive and logistically difficult to repair field failures
In close proximity to human operators…

We could go on… The point is that industrial forestry equipment presents some of the most challenging work environments to be found anywhere. This amazing high power machinery makes logging not only efficient but also safe for man and machine. Consider some of the heavy duty equipment pieces used in forestry management.

Wood and Brush Chippers – Forestry versions of these are larger and more powerful than the ones your landscaper uses, but have essentially the same operation under even more intense environmental conditions.
Harvester Forwarder – These amazing machines process a tree from soup to nuts, cutting the tree down, trimming the log and cutting it to manageable bites at the same time. These machines do the work it took 1 guy an hour to do with chainsaw and loader, in barely a minute. Check out this video:

Feller Bunchers – These large logging machines cut down trees while holding them at the end of crane, allowing the operator to stack them for later processing.
Skidders – These machines literally drag downed trees to where they can be loaded on trucks for transport. They are essentially tow trucks for trees with engines producing almost 300 hp and 1000 nm for lifting and dragging multiple long logs at once.
Forwarders – these machines are like cranes/ transports for logs, typically used to load logs onto the forwarder for transport elsewhere.
Mulcher’s – These vehicles are used to get rid of tree branches and vegetation in large scale land clearing operations but essentially grinding it into pulp! Typically the rotating blade runs at 500 or more horsepower with torque of over 2000 nm.
Grinder’s – Unlike your typical wood chipper, these 40 ton mobile factories will grind entire trees into wood pulp, for use in clearing forest area’s of debris.

CPI limit switch solutions were made for this.

A great example of our waterproof, high endurance switches in action is our E1 simulated roller mount switch, recently adopted for a brush chipper manufactured by Vermeer, one of the worlds largest makers of forestry and agricultural equipment. Vermeer engineers were frustrated by field failures of their directional indicator switch caused by water, and the general lack of real world robustness of the previous switch solution.

CPI engineers created a form-fit-function replacement based on our E1 simulated roller design. A right and left version of the switch was created and the basic sealed momentary switch was sealed in santoprene insuring the highest immunity to dirt, sand, rain, vibration, and heat.

In another application, the Brazilian company Lippel chose a similar switch for cam activated position sensing in their wood chipper application, for similar reasons of robustness. In the Lippel solution, three switches are used to detect the changing position of the cam, in this failsafe application. These switches are produced with custom lead lengths that are sealed at the switch end, making for easier assembly in production environments.

Diverse Switching Requirements, One Common Manufacturer

Forestry and Agricultural equipment from lawn mowers, to sprayers, to chippers all the way to mining shovels and backhoe’s, are just a few of the types of equipment using CPI switches in the field. Applications include:

Machine Position detection
Safely locking mechanism’s
Outrigger position detection
Hand Actuated alarms and lights
Hood open/closed detection
Door closed/open
Safety fail-safe switches
Mower deck up/down detection
Crane position detection and anti two-block.

And many more too numerous to mention. If your application requires reliable switching in harsh environments, make the switch to CPI.

Originally posted: https://www.cpi-nj.com/blog/cpi-forestry-equipment-switches/

August 26, 2017

Dump Truck Safety System Design

The design of the modern work truck is moving forward at an amazing pace. With long haul trucks, the focus has been on collision avoidance systems and advanced controls for fuel economy, but dump truck builders have long had a different focus.

For Dump Trucks, it’s all about safety.

Historically, makers of class 8 dump trucks have not exactly been “early adopters” of technology, preferring instead to allow these advances to trickle down after many years of trial by fire on long haul trucks and other vehicles. More recently however, increased safety regulations, modularized construction methods and accelerated adoption rates for technology have conspired to put more and more intelligence in the “Dumb Dump Truck” than ever before. That means an increasingly connected vehicle, with improved fuel economy, and an ever increasing focus on safety systems.

Switches Used in Work Trucks Must be Robust

It turns out that CPI switches and sensors are critical components of safety systems on dump trucks, work trucks, and many construction vehicles owing mostly to their extremely durable, and watertight operational characteristics. CPI waterproof limit switches have an extremely small pendant switch style form factor and can be mounted in a wide variety of actuation mechanisms, allowing flexible placement in machines and vehicles. They can be sealed in either Neoprene or Santoprene making them fully waterproof and capable of extended temperature operation from -20 to 120 degrees F. And finally, the switches are capable of extremely high electromechanical endurance. CPI has qualified certain switch models to over 5 million cycles of operation.

Safety Systems In Dump Trucks and other Work Trucks

Here are just a few safety systems that have used CPI limit switches over the years along with the parts commonly used.

Dump Body Detection – Our E1092 simulated roller mechanism is mounted easily under the truck bed using one of our waterproof pendant switches like our B9112, NO switch. When the bed is raised, a circuit is completed, raising a visible (and potentially audible) alarm in the cab. This design is used for safety sensing in bucket trucks, loaders, and other vehicles that require mechanical feedback as to boom or bed position.

Cab Down Detection – This is a safety interlock switch function, which prevents the system from operating until the hood or cab is closed. While any of our E-series limit switches can be used, CPI actually makes a specific plunger style switch for this application called our J4 Plunger Switch. Originally developed for the military, this switch has an ultra-rugged design featuring a wiper seal and a plunger that can withstand 50 psi to overcome hardened-sand and ice buildup.

Neutral Safety Detection - J4 Ball or Plunger Switch

J4 Ball & Plunger Switches

Neutral Safety – One of the most common safety systems in commercial vehicles is neutral safety detection. In this application, various vehicle operations are prevented until the transmission is confirmed to be in neutral gear. Commonly chosen for this is our J4 ball switch, a hardened, small form factor, stainless steel ball switch designed with our patented seal exclusion system that actually forces contaminants out of the housing every time the ball is actuated. This waterproof switch design is so reliable and robust that it was used to detect the status of torpedo doors on navy submarines.

Back Up Alarm – Another common requirement of work trucks is the audible back-up alarm which sounds when the vehicle is moving in reverse. Our E1092 is a great example of a robust limit switch with a simulated lever actuator that is commonly used in this application. Completely made of high grade stainless steel it is truly waterproof, and completely customizable with almost countless mounting and actuator combinations available. This switch can be designed to meet operational standards for military use (B2 series) as well as heavy duty industrial applications (B3 thru B9 series). Parameters such as travel length, current rating, and electromechanical endurance are customizable. CPI has achieved endurance qualifications over 5 million cycles with this basic roller limit switch design.

Waterproof Safety Switches for Industrial Use

There are hundreds of specialized safety switch applications on dump trucks, work trucks and other industrial vehicles. Those that choose a CPI solution generally do so because they want the most reliable operation in the field that they can possibly have. When the safety of operators is on the line, why would you want anything else?

We have a vast amount of off-the-shelf options for our switches. And yet all our switches can be cost effectively customized for custom mounting and electrical parameters.

Call us today to discuss your safety switch system requirements with a product specialist. https://www.cpi-nj.com

Original content posted on https://www.cpi-nj.com/blog/dump-truck-safety-system-design/

May 25, 2017

CPI Limit Switches in Hydraulic Multiplier Applications.

Hydraulic Multipliers see use in a wide variety of industrial equipment as a cost effective way of driving multiple actuators from a single hydraulic circuit. These systems typically allow the operator to manually activate a conveniently mounted switch which controls a valve diverter. At the right moment, hydraulic pressure is diverted from one circuit to another and back again when done.

Since operators are typically using levers in things like Backhoe’s, Crane’s, Forklift’s, or agricultural sprayers, it is convenient to mount these switches directly on the lever itself where it can be ergonomically reached during operation. These switches are often subject to repeated use and abuse, outdoor environments, and extreme vibration in conditions which pose a safety hazard. The switches need to work, work well, and work for a long time without failure.

Typical Hydraulic Multiplier Circuit Using CPI Switches

A typical hydraulic multiplier circuit using one of our switches is shown below:

While there are a number of our switches used into this application, your selection will depend on a few key considerations:

Mounting Constraints – Our most common mounting configuration here by far is the “V-Back”. This stainless steel assembly takes the basic waterproof limit switch and allows it easy mounting to cylindrical surfaces like a lever assembly or steering wheel simply by using tie wraps or heat shrink tubing for a more finished look.
Tactile Considerations – With both high button and low button configurations, feel can be adjusted to prevent accidental engagement, or facilitate easy activation.
Waterproof Rocker Switches – In addition to single acting waterproof limit switches, momentary or maintained contact Rocker Switches like our K1005 can be coupled with our HS001 pipe mount bracket for use in this application.

Harsh Duty Switches Control Heavy Duty Hydraulics

CPI’s line of waterproof switches get used on these kinds of hydraulic multiplier applications because they are just plain hard to kill. In applications like forklifts, telehandlers, backhoe’s, cranes, agricultural machines, or flow control valve hydraulics, there is generally an unfriendly ambient environment that places additional demands on the electromechanical endurance of switches…

…CPI switches were designed with that in mind.

Call the CPI engineering team today to discuss your switching challenges or visit http://www.cpi-nj.com .

Original content posted on https://www.cpi-nj.com/blog/cpi-limit-switches-in-hydraulic-multiplier-applications/

May 25, 2016

Sealed Pendant Switches – The Jewels of Waterproof Switches.

In the world of waterproof switches, designers understand pendant switches to be pushbutton switches that are hand actuated by an actual human. There are typically leads extending from the body of the switch which can allow an ergonomic distance between the operator and the control system. These switches, or sometimes “pendant stations” full of pushbutton switches are designed to control various systems in the factory or on machinery. A common commercially available configuration is shown below:

typical commodity pendant switch, consumer grade

This configuration is common, with the button at the end of a cylindrical enclosure, meant to be used for things like nursing call stations, On/Off operator control, or momentary device control where the device is actuated only as long as the operator keeps the pendant depressed. The vast majority of pendant switches you will fine are really of a commercial variety and their target use is for sedate, indoor applications.

But for construction vehicles, military equipment, or heavy machinery control, the vast majority of pendant devices you will find lack the robustness and environmental sealing necessary to operate effectively in these deployments.

CPI Pendant Switch Solutions

CPI Waterproof Pendant Switches Control products makes a complete line of waterproof pendant switches which are specifically designed for the needs of high reliability, high endurance, and complete watertight operation. Couple these with our versatile mounting brackets and what you have is a pendant switch with up to 15A capability that will be ready to work when you need it, no matter what it is exposed to in the interim.

K1005 Pendant Switch – This is a maintained contact rocker switch version. This pendant switch has seen many military and non military applications owing to its high tolerance to heat and its extreme electromechanical endurance. Not to mention that it is truly waterproof (ie.. submersible)

B7151 Pendant Switch – this is our “high button” momentary Momentary Contact Switch closure pendant, also completely sealed in Neoprene and immune to moisture and vibration. Common uses include as a welding torch switch or for motor “jogging” applications.

CPI Pendant Switch Applications

Our pendants get chosen for any application where there is a potentially wet or outdoor environment and designers don’t want to take chances on the reliability of the switch. Here’s a few examples.

THAAD Missle Launch Truck – Build by Oshkosh and Lockeed

CPI Waterproof Pendant Switches on THAAD Missle Defense Launch Vehicle In this application our K1005-504 is mounted near the wheel well where it can be subject to a fair amount of heat and vibration between uses. Our Neoprene seal extends the temperature range from -65F to 185F and completely seals the switch away from dust, moisture and vibration as well.

US Marines Humvee – Built by SAIC.

CPI Pendant Switches on Marine Humvee In this application the same K1005-504 is used as a control on the Up-Front-Display Unit inside the vehicle.

Industrial Sand Blaster – Clemo Industries

In this heavy duty sand blasting Pendant Rocker Switch on Sandblaster machine machine exposed to extremes of water, dirt, dust and other airborne particulates. A Robustly sealed and washdown proof switch is of extreme importance to these folks.

CPI Pendants are Unique Problem Solvers – Call Us Today!

When the run-of-the-mill commercial pendant switches just won’t get the job done, our unique capabilities in switch design might be just what you need. We’ve been making high endurance electromechanical switches for the toughest applications on planet earth for over 70 years.

Is your application tough enough for our switches? Let’s find out..

This content was originally posted at https://www.cpi-nj.com/blog/sealed-pendant-switches-the-jewels-of-waterproof-switches/

May 16, 2016

Our Waterproof Rocker Switches… Rock!

A quick web search for “Waterproof Rocker Switches” yields a universe of rocker switches, made for a universe of applications. Sadly even glorious Google can’t seem to completely sort out the waterproof variety from the more common standard PCB mounted round or rectangular versions and so it is for you the poor system designer to wade through this mess looking for the right rocker switch for your wet and watery application.

Our own rocker switch makes the cut with Google too, with a nice picture on the first page of search results of our K1007 Maintained Rocker.

CPI Waterproof Rocker Switch - K1007

So if you found us and are reading this because of a similar search, then why don’t we just cut to the chase and tell why our truly waterproof pendant style rocker switches may be last waterproof switch you ever need?

Rocker Switch Design

CPI Rocker switches are part of our family of waterproof switches which we’ve been Waterproof Rocker Switches refining and selling for over 70 years. They are implemented in a style commonly referred to as “pendant switches” owing to their size and form factor. What CPI does is to pair one of our sealed, waterproof pendant switch designs, with an actuator mounting bracket which can allow the switch to be used in an almost infinite number of applications. Some customer even use the switch without any bracket for a manual operator driven application such as a toggle switch on a motorboat winch.

A great example of our switch in action is our K1007 SPST Maintained Rocker Switch. With our standard Neoprene seal this switch operates from -60F to 180F without issue and can be specified with current capability up to 15A or electromechanical endurance up to 5 million cycles. And don’t forget that like all our waterproof switches, the K100X series of Waterproof rocker switches is truly waterproof: not splashproof or water resistant.

Waterproof Rocker Switch Applications

CPI waterproof rockers have been used extensively on military vehicles, in boats, MilitaryHumveeInWaterWithCPISwitches on industrial sand blasters, and in one case as a customization to a Mountain bike used for enduro-racing (See our post on Gravel Grinders).

In every case, the common thread for why we are selected has to do with the extremely reliability of the parts, under some of the most challenging environmental conditions and deployments in the world.

Call CPI Today to discuss YOUR Waterproof Rocker Switch Application

If you’re concerned about part selection for your waterproof rocker switch application, you owe it to yourself to give us a call and discuss it. Our engineers know this stuff cold, we can help.

Visit us on the web at https://www.cpi-nj.com.

This content was originally posted at https://www.cpi-nj.com/blog/our-waterproof-rocker-switches-rock/

April 29, 2016

Push Button Switch Types

Engineers and system designers looking for reliable switch products often face a quandary. Selection of switches with their inherent mechanical limitations must be pondered carefully or they risk being the proverbial “weakest link” in an otherwise robust control or safety system design.

When switches are directly operated by humans, the equation becomes even more complex. Tactile factors come into play, as well as consideration of the ergonomics of mounting and positioning these switches in vehicles or machinery that may be exposed to severe weather, temperature, vibration or all of the above.

Push Button Switch Actuation

In addition of offering some of the industry’s most hardened waterproof switch designs, CPI switches come in a number of form factors, suitable for almost any deployment

Hand Actuated – CPI Pendant Switches can come in momentary or maintained closure options and are completely submersible. Extended temperature operation is achieved through either Neoprene or Santoprene sealing with leads completely sealed and extending from the switch body in any length required. Both standard and “light touch” actuation versions available.

Rolling Ball Switches – Our all stainless steel, rolling ball switch option (J4 series) is ideal for applications requiring a low profile, non-linear activation in a harsh operational environment. The J4 is a patented ball carrier design which prevents contaminates such as mud, dirt, ice, sand, dust, etc. from jamming the ball.

Applications include transfer case gear position sensing, neutral safety detection, Hydraulic valve position indication, PTO switching, door switch, backup safety alarm, and interlock switch detection.

Plunger Switches – Based on the J4 seal design, our plunger switch allows designers to be sure that waterproof performance can be maintained in extreme environments with electro-mechanical endurance up to 5 million cycles. Plunger size and activation force can be custom specified, and our patented exclusion seal insures the contacts against sand, dust, dirt, mud, rain and pressure washer abuse.

Limit Switches – By mounting our pendant switches in a series of enclosures, CPi can offer operational limit switch variations suitable for a wide variety of industrial applications.

· Roller Limit Switch	· Roller Lever Flush Mount
· Simulated Roller Limit Switch	· Roller Lever Angle Mount
· Straight Lever	· Profiled Lever, Flush Mount
· Simulated Lever	· Dual Switch, Simulated Roller

And many more mounting variations are customizable.

Waterproof Push Button Switches for High Endurance Applications.

For over 60 years CPI has been designing, manufacturing, and qualifying the toughest
waterproof switches in the world in thousands of unique applications from fire engines to fishing reels, from steel mills to submarines . When manufacturers want a final solution to their robust switching needs, it usually ends at our doorstep.

Please call our team today to discuss your application and vist us at http://www.cpi-nj.com.

This content was originally posted at https://www.cpi-nj.com/blog/push-button-switch-types/

December 21, 2015

CPI Waterproof Switch Panels

Sometimes you need a switch that’s really, truly waterproof. Not just water-resistant or “splash-proof.

And if you want one with carefully manufactured durability and extended temperature operation, well you’ve narrowed down the field even further.

For tough marine or outdoor applications, CPI’s panel mounted, sealed waterproof switches get the nod after that cheap offshore built switch that seemed so great, starts to fail in the field. Why not start with our switch and save yourself the headache?

Basic CPI Pendant Style Waterproof Switch.

The internal switching mechanism here is a snap-action copper sine blade spring with a riveted contact. The standard contact material is silver alloy with gold alloy and gold plated silver contacts available upon request. Our switches are even available in low-medium-high configurations so that you can choose the tactile feel you need.

There are a few things that make CPI switches the go-to switch when you are done messing around with other implementations.

Electrical Ratings: Nominally 5 amps resistive, 3 amps inductive, higher ratings available upon request.
Endurance: 100,000 to 1 million cycles, configuration dependent.
Temperature Range: from -50F to 221F.
Environment Resistance: Resistant to acids, alkalides, salt spray, sand, dust and fungus. And completely Waterproof.
Jacket: Thermoplastic Rubber. Material options able to provide extended cold operation (no freeze ups).
Termination: In terms of connectors, the sky is the limit.

Mounting in CPI Waterproof Switch Panels

Our dual panel mount configuration is a good example of a commonly used stock panel mount configuration. In this panel, the twin switches can be wired in series, parallel, or left as individual circuits as shown below.

CPI Pendant Switch - Waterproof switch panel configurations Both vertical and horizontal panels are stock but hey, we can make it look like whatever you need, that’s what we do and we do it right here in lovely East Hanover NJ, not on the other side of the planet.

Call CPI for all your Truly Waterproof Switch Panel Needs.

If it’s time to think seriously about your toughest marine or outdoor applications, then we really want to talk to you.

Call CPI today to ask about all our Waterproof Switches. Ask for Mac.

Visit www.cpi-nj.com for more information.

This content was originally posted at https://www.cpi-nj.com/blog/cpi-waterproof-switch-panels/

October 3, 2015

Racing To the Finish With CPI Momentary Switches

If you’re at all into racing of any kind, chances are you’ve been watching a CPI momentary switch run around the track right in front of your very eyes.

CPI pendant style momentary contact switches are a fairly common fixture on the racing circuit and our newest application includes some racers who are tearing it up on ATV and snowmobile tracks across the country.

Nitrous Oxide Racing with ATV’s and Snow Mobiles

Nitrous kits are actually a common fixture on many racing circuits. Maybe their most well-known use is on the drag racing circuit, where the power of compressed Nitric Oxide can add some serious horsepower to a drag rig allowing those vehicles to get from 0 to 60 in ridiculous times like 1.6 seconds.

In the ATV circuit, a well-placed and carefully utilized nitrous kit is a staple of racing, meant to provide rapid acceleration and deceleration under driver control. For this application the folks at Straightline Performance selected the CPI B7151 Momentary Pendant Switch.

A Momentary Switch Designed with Humans in Mind

One of the many reasons CPI switches are choosen for demanding performance applications goes beyond just waterproof reliability. The B7151 momentary contact switch is a low force, high activation button variant of our standard switch, allowing operators a definite tactile feel, even when they are wearing gloves! As part of their e-tek nitrous kit, Straightline chose the B7151 for these ergonomic factors as well as its ability to perform as a completely sealed waterproof momentary switch. The B7151 is completely sealed in santoprene and can be ordered with custom lead lengths, and electrical specifications.

On the snowmobile racing circuit, the racing is chillier, but the goal is the same. Give your machine that nitrous boost in the wide open straightway. Our momentary switch is typically mounted to the steering wheel and is normally open until depressed, providing added horsepower until released. And it doesn’t matter how wet or cold it gets, our santoprene sealed switch is 100% waterproof and temperature certified down to -20F.

CPI Momentary Switches in “Push To Talk” Applications

When racing around a track at high rates of speed, talking to your team is critical whether you’re NASCAR, Formula 1, or driving your restored VW in the demolition derby. While racing teams like to keep their choices in technology pretty close to the vest, we can tell you for certain that a few of these folks that you watch on TV are using our B7151 momentary contact switch to keep in touch with the pit crew. Again this switch has been chosen because it provides a large tactile footprint for a gloved hand and extremely reliable operation. It is mounted to the steering wheel where the driver can easily interact with it with their thumb without moving his hands from the wheel.

Finding our Momentary Switches.

If you believe one of our Momentary Switches might be right for your racing application give us a call. We have many off the shelf variations of this switch to meet most needs. Small quantities of switches are available immediately through distributors like McMaster and Grainger.

Typical CPI Momentary Switch variations include:

Lead length
Electrical parameters (normally open/closed)
Temperature range (mil-spec ranges available)
Switch footprint and button size.
Momentary Switch or maintained contact switch.
Switch tactile feel (high button, low button)
Switch activation Force

Call us today for further information on our full line of Momentary Switches. Or see our full product line at http://www.cpi-nj.com/waterproof-switches.

This content was originally posted at https://www.cpi-nj.com/blog/racing-to-the-finish-with-cpi-momentary-switches/

August 14, 2015

Gravel Grinder Bike Racers Reach Out To CPI

I know what you’re thinking… What the heck is a Gravel Grinder race? We had to consult the internet too when this application first came to our attention, but it turns out that Gravel Racing is one of the fastest growing bicycle race sports in the country.

Unlike the Tour-de-France, gravel bike racers don’t have a van with a team following them, sponsors, or the lure of big prize money. Terrain can be a combination of asphalt, packed gravel, loose gravel roads, maintenance or B roads, and some single track. The riders are completely self supported and races can run anywhere from 50 to 800 miles. Two of the most popular events are the Dirty Kanza 200 and the Trans Iowa, which are both over 200 miles long and take even the winners, well over 13 hours to finish.

If you’re a Gravel Grinder, you’re carrying your world on your bike and your back. Race courses go through parks and mountains, over little rocks, and small Volkswagen sized rocks, where trail signs are few and far between. You are riding in the day, and the night, in the hot sun and the rain and mud. Your pedaling is not only propelling you toward the finish line but like a human hamster on a wheel, it is providing power to a couple critical of critical electrical systems that can make the difference between getting to the finish line, and getting rescued by the park service…

That’s where CPI’ waterproof pendant switches come in.

CPI Waterproof Pendant Switch on Custom Gravel Grinder Touring Bicycle

Getting ready to Grind the Gravel!

Salsa Cycles is a premier maker of Gravel bikes for all levels of off road experiences, including every day folks just looking to perk up their road rides with a little off road fun, as well as serious Gravel Grinder competitors. Our K1005 Waterproof Maintained Contact Pendant switch was recently selected for a modified Vaya touring bike. The switch is designed to control the flow of generator power between the bike’s headlight and the reserve battery. Yes you heard that right, serious Gravel Bikes have a mounted electrical generator that converts the mechanical energy of the biker pedaling, into electrical current. This current can be used to power a headlight or by pressing our K1005 rocker switch, the current can be routed instead to charge an onboard battery. This battery powers the bike’s electrical system providing power for driving the Garmin GPS which gives distance, location, and even allows download of the race route.

CPI’s K1005 Maintained Contact Rocker Switch was chosen for all the usual reasons: Extreme reliability and completely watertight operation were key as these racers run through pouring rain, mud and humidity, as well as some serious vibration. Another bonus was the light weight and easy mounting of the switch assembly, pictured here mounted on the main crossbar just below the front handlebar assembly.

CPI Waterproof Pendant Switches Are Versatile Problem Solvers

CPI Waterproof Pendant Switches are designed to meet the challenges of wet, hostile environments and come with a 60 year history of reliable deployment in everything from muddy bicycles, to nuclear submarines. Some of the reasons the switch family has been so successful include:

Truly Waterproof – Not “Water Resistant” or “Splashproof”, our standard Neoprene sealing process has been both dramatically durable as well as cost effective to manufacture.
Solid Tactile feel – Both regular and “low activation force” options are available.
Switches come as either momentary contact or maintained contact as needed.
K1005 is a two wire two conductor SPST but special terminations and coil cords are available.
Can be custom hardened for extreme temperature ranges (hot and cold), extreme electromechanical endurance, and higher current requirements.

Contact CPI for all your Waterproof Switch Needs

For those considering new applications for our waterproof switches, we can provide samples to test in your prototypes, and engineers to discuss best practices in how to use them and mount them.

Call us today. We love to hear about new applications for our switches or visit www.cpi-nj.com for more information.

This content was originally published at https://www.cpi-nj.com/blog/gravel-grinder-bike-racers-reach-out-to-cpi/

May 21, 2014

Momentary Switches for Extreme Duty – Reducing Failure Rates.

Momentary Switch Design Parameters

Extreme duty applications that require a momentary switch with potential for extreme temperature ranges or constant operation require more than just switch waterproofing. For more than 40 years CPI’s has made precisely engineered waterproof switches for the Military and Heavy Equipment industries that achieve the most stringent requirements for operation. By expertly trading off the many conflicting design requirements necessary to achieve an overall goal for MTBF, cost, and electrical parameters, CPI has been able to meet almost any momentary switch operating specification. Not to mention that our switches are truly “waterproof”, not water-resistant. You can’t drown our stuff…(-:

Some of the design considerations for our switches include the following:

Operating Temperature Range. CPI has engineered our Pendant switches to avoid contact “freezing” at operating temperatures down to -20F.
Contact travel and pre-travel – These critical parameters affect MTBF directly and must be adjusted to achieve the specified cycle lifetime
Mechanical Endurance – CPI has achieved MTBF of over 1 million cycles rated for high dynamic temperature environments, with careful design of mechanical switch parameters, and new manufacturing techniques for sealing.
Actuator Style – The actuator used for our momentary switch configurations can be specified: either plunger, lever, roller ball, or hand actuated pendant style switches. All with unique engineering challenges to achieve an overall requirement.
Circuit type – Normally Open/Closed and current requirements can be specified for any switch we build, including the challenge of designing for high startup loads.
Mounting & Packaging. CPI provides a wide variety of packaging options with any switch. Each present unique challenges for design and operation.

CPI Momentary Switches For Custom Applications

At CPI our engineering team has made and manufactured custom switches for industrial, aerospace and military environments, for over 40 years. Our partnership with OEM’s goes beyond just design but carries through to the manufacturing and field qualification of our units to achieve all program goals. Based in East Hanover NJ, all our products are designed and manufactured in the USA, and commitment to solving your design problems and manufacturing cost effectively make our value proposition dominant in the industry.

If your switching application demands performance, then you should be demanding CPI. Contact our headquarters at (973) 887-9400

Or visit our website at http://www.cpi-nj.com