Electronics > Beginners
DPDT switches and PCBs
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frasdoge:
Hello,

I'm making my first PCB design and I can't find a decent price on a DPDT switch. More specifically I can, but only in panel form factors or with outrageous shipping costs ($20 shipping, 7+ days for a $3 component on DigiKey, Mouser, Element14).

I've picked up a switch that's perfect but in a panel form factor (the rectangle pins with holes in them). Is there any way to connect and mount that to my PCB? Ideally I'd just grab the version with the through hole pins, but no hobbyist stores sell them and I'm not keen on the wait or bs shipping costs when I've got a bit of a deadline.

Advice would be appreciated.

Cheers
T3sl4co1l:
Solder lug is the term you're looking for. :)

I mean, you can still solder that to a board if you don't mind a chintzy butt joint (i.e., the lugs just butt up against the PCB, and a generous solder fillet is all that's holding it down).  If you have enough space to form the terminals, you can get more of a gull wing or flat lead joint, still SMT.

Better is using slot shape thru pads, and soldering the terminals into the board that way.  You probably can't use round holes (like you can with round or square pins), because they'd have to be way too large.  (Most fabs don't complain if you use slotted pads, it's pretty standard.)

Best?  Idunno, giving up and panel mounting it (and using wrapped and soldered wires, heat shrink -- a whole harness assembly) is way too much effort, plus it takes up space that you might not have, to begin with.  Maybe "better" should be changed to "best" above?

And yeah, good switches are stupid expensive, at least in small quantities.  Hard to find in good styles too.  It bothers all of us. :(  You could always risk it on some Ali Express junk, maybe it'll turn out alright -- if not, you're only out a couple of bucks, equivalent to as much time you've already spent writing and reading in this thread already!  (Never lose your perspective on this sort of thing.  Unless you're doing it a thousand times over, it simply doesn't add up, to keep searching for something truly competitive!)

Tim
Jeroen3:

--- Quote from: frasdoge on March 19, 2019, 07:29:39 am ---I've picked up a switch that's perfect but in a panel form factor (the rectangle pins with holes in them). Is there any way to connect and mount that to my PCB?

--- End quote ---
Larger holes, more solder. Just like the rectangular power jack connectors.
frasdoge:
Yeah I figured I was using the wrong term, will know for the future!  :)

I'm new to soldering so will have a chat with some technicians at uni about how they'd go about bodging my connector on.

Originally tried to make my own footprint but the max diameter was 1 mm (the lug is 1x2) and didn't think to make a slotted pad.

Found that RS Components has stock of the through hole version so sent in an order for that. They've not given an estimated delivery date but they don't charge shipping. Worst case scenario I'm out $2.50 and they'll arrive too late. Ah well.

Cheers guys.
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