The SCHURTER TCS6F is a sealed 6.2 × 6.2 mm surface-mount tactile switch with IP67 protection, three actuation forces and four product heights for momentary-action user interfaces.
SCHURTER has introduced the series as a configurable alternative in the established 6 × 6 mm class of tactile switches. Gullwing SMD and J-type terminations, reflow soldering and tape-and-reel packaging place the part in a standard automated SMT flow, while the choice of force, height and click feel lets one footprint family serve different keypad and front-panel designs.
Key Features and Benefits
- Footprint: 6.2 × 6.2 mm body.
- Sealing: IP67 rating.
- Actuation force: 1.45 N, 2.5 N or 4 N.
- Product height: 3.5 mm, 4.3 mm, 4.9 mm or 5.2 mm.
- Terminations: gullwing SMD or J-type, both reflow-solderable.
- Tactile feedback: standard or click actuator sound; actuator colours white, red, purple, yellow or blue depending on height.
- Mechanical life: 300,000 to 5,000,000 cycles depending on force; 10,000,000-cycle versions on request for selected 3.5 mm, 1.45 N parts.
- Operating temperature: −40 °C to +85 °C.
- Compliance: RoHS, China RoHS and REACH.
Technical Highlights
| Parameter | TCS6F |
|---|---|
| Switching voltage | 1 V DC to 30 V DC |
| Switching current | 10 µA to 50 mA |
| Contact resistance | ≤ 100 mΩ |
| Insulation resistance | > 100 MΩ |
| Dielectric strength | 250 V AC, 50/60 Hz, 1 min |
| Operating and storage temperature | −40 °C to +85 °C |
| Ingress protection | IP67 |
| Soldering | Reflow; 260 °C, max. 5 s |
| Terminals | Ag-plated brass |
| Contact | Ag-plated stainless steel |
| Cover / base / actuator | Stainless steel / PA or PPS / silicone |
| Packaging | Tape and reel, 1000 or 1500 pcs |
Actuation Force, Travel and Life
Force and travel set the tactile response, and they also determine the rated mechanical life. The 1.45 N and 2.5 N versions share the same life rating, while the 4 N version trades life for a firmer actuation and a longer travel.
| Actuation force | Travel | Mechanical life | Heights |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1.45 N | 0.3 +0.2/−0.1 mm | 5,000,000 cycles | 3.5 / 4.3 / 4.9 / 5.2 mm |
| 2.5 N | 0.35 +0.25/−0.15 mm | 5,000,000 cycles | 3.5 / 4.3 / 4.9 / 5.2 mm |
| 4 N | 0.5 ± 0.2 mm | 300,000 cycles | 4.3 mm |
Versions with up to 10,000,000 cycles are available on request for specific 3.5 mm, 1.45 N part numbers.
Height and Variant Matrix
The series comprises 68 variants. Each height is offered in white plus one coded actuator colour, with standard or click sound and with gullwing or J-type terminals. The 4.3 mm height is supplied through regional sales.
| Height | Actuator colours | Reel quantity | Order code height |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 mm | White, red | 1500 pcs | H70 |
| 4.3 mm | White, purple | 1000 pcs | H04 |
| 4.9 mm | White, yellow | 1000 pcs | H71 |
| 5.2 mm | White, blue | 1000 pcs | H72 |
The configuration code follows the pattern TCS6F-H70-A-S-4-M-WT-C-S, where the height code is followed by the terminal type (4 = gullwing, 5 = J-type), the force code (M = 1.45 N, K = 2.5 N, G = 4 N), the actuator colour and the sound (S = standard, C = click). Order numbers run from 3-164-502 to 3-164-569.
Typical Applications
Target applications include industrial electronics, instrumentation and control equipment, power tools, high-end consumer products and medical devices.
- Industrial electronics and control equipment: IP67 sealing and the −40 °C to +85 °C operating range support control panels and keypads exposed to dust, splash water and cleaning.
- Instrumentation: the 10 µA minimum switching current and 100 mΩ maximum contact resistance fit logic-level inputs of measuring instruments and handheld meters.
- Power tools: the 4 N force with 0.5 mm travel gives a firmer actuation for handheld tools, and the sealed body supports use in dusty workshop environments.
- Medical devices: the sealed construction with a stainless steel cover and a silicone actuator suits front panels that are wiped or disinfected.
- High-end consumer products: four heights and the click or standard sound option allow the button feel to be tuned to the product design.
Application Fit
With a switching range of 1 V to 30 V DC and 10 µA to 50 mA, the TCS6F is a signal-level switch for microcontroller inputs, keypad matrices and wake-up lines rather than for switching loads. A 3.3 V input with a 10 kΩ pull-up draws 0.33 mA, well inside the range, and the 100 mΩ maximum contact resistance produces a voltage drop of about 33 µV at that current. At the low end, the 10 µA minimum current means a 3.3 V pull-up should stay below about 330 kΩ. Low-current silver contacts depend on this minimum current and a stable contact force, as discussed in making a good electrical contact.
The 6.2 × 6.2 mm body sits in the widely used 6 × 6 mm tactile switch class, and the choice of gullwing or J-type terminals lets the layout trade inspection access against board area. Gullwing leads extend outside the body and allow visual inspection of the joints, while J-type leads fold under the body and keep the land pattern closer to the package outline. Both variants follow the standard reflow soldering practice with a 260 °C, 5 s peak limit. Within the SCHURTER switch range, the TCS6F complements the side-actuated SMT tactile switch for edge-mounted buttons.
IP67 under IEC 60529 means dust-tight and protected against temporary immersion in water. The rating applies to the switch itself; the front panel, membrane or keycap and the enclosure need their own sealing concept.
Design-In Notes for Engineers
- Signal-level use: keep the switched current between 10 µA and 50 mA and the voltage between 1 V and 30 V DC; drive loads through a transistor, MOSFET or relay.
- Pull-up sizing: choose pull-up or pull-down values so that the contact current stays above 10 µA; at 3.3 V this means at most about 330 kΩ.
- Debouncing: mechanical contacts bounce on make and break; provide RC filtering, a Schmitt-trigger input or firmware debouncing.
- Force and life: the 4 N version is rated for 300,000 cycles and is offered in the 4.3 mm height; for high-cycle keys use the 1.45 N or 2.5 N version, or request the 10,000,000-cycle 3.5 mm part.
- Height and keycap: select the height together with the panel thickness, keycap travel and the 0.3 mm to 0.5 mm nominal switch travel to avoid preload or dead travel.
- Terminal type: gullwing for optical joint inspection, J-type for a tighter land pattern; take the land pattern from the current outline drawing.
- Soldering: respect the 260 °C, 5 s peak limit and check board washing and conformal coating steps against the IP67 sealing.
- ESD and isolation: the 250 V AC dielectric strength is a test value between isolated parts, not a rating for mains circuits; add ESD protection on lines that reach the user panel.
- Final selection should be validated under the actual operating conditions.
Further Reading
- Panasonic EVP-BX Quiet Tactile Switches for HMI Designs
- SCHURTER Releases SMT Micro Switch for Compact HMIs
- Littelfuse Releases First Reflow-Compatible Illuminated Tactile Switch
Source
This article is based on the SCHURTER product announcement and official product documentation. Engineers should refer to the current manufacturer datasheet for final design and qualification.
References
- TCS6F – Flexible Switching Solution in a Compact Package, SCHURTER, 29 October 2026.
- TCS6F – 6.2 x 6.2 mm Sealed Tactile Switch, datasheet and variant table, SCHURTER, 28 October 2026.
