Posted in: Switches

Which Mechanical Keyboard Switch?

Last Updated on November 17, 2022

Which Mechanical Keyboard Switch? The switch is a mechanical keyboard component that is attached to the PCB, either soldered or can be installed and removed at any time (as in hot swappable PCBs).

In addition, the switch has a function to send instructions to the PCB and converted by the PCB into an input to the computer. In simple terms, a switch is a button that is under the keycaps or is covered by the keyboard keycaps that serves to send input to the computer.

Types of Switches Based on Actuation:

Linear

Which Mechanical Keyboard Switch?
Linear

This type of switch is a type of switch that is quite familiar among mechanical keyboard enthusiasts because a switch with linear actuation is easier to operate because it feels quite light. You hardly feel typing feedback on linear type switches such as bumpy or loud typing sounds. Some examples of linear switches on the market today are Cherry MX Red, Gateron Red, Kailh Red, and Outemu Red.

Tactile

Tactile
Tactile

This type of switch is a switch that can provide a little bumpy feedback and produces a rather loud typing sound when you use it to type. The tactile type switch is perfect for those of you who want a pleasant typing experience but don’t produce noisy typing sounds. Some examples of tactile switches that are popular in the market are Cherry MX Brown, Gateron Brown, Kailh Brown, and Outemu Brown.

Clicky

Clicky
Clicky

The clicky type switch is a switch that is specifically designed for market segmentation, which is suitable for those of you who want a loud typing sound and want bumpy typing feedback. The clicky type switch produces a loud typing sound so it is not very suitable for use in public spaces because it will disturb the people around you. Some examples of clicky switches that are quite popular in the market are Cherry MX Blue, Gateron Blue, Kailh Blue, and Outemu Blue.

Components of a Mechanical Keyboard Switch

Components of a Mechanical Keyboard Switch
Components of a Mechanical Keyboard Switch

The following are the components of a mechanical keyboard switch:

1. Bottom Housing

Bottom Housing
Bottom Housing

Bottom Housing on a mechanical keyboard switch is a component that has a function to predict other components such as stems, springs, and top housing. The bottom housing on the mechanical keyboard switch is a component that is mounted on the PCB because there are pins on the bottom.

2. Spring

Spring
Spring

Spring on a mechanical keyboard switch has a function to provide feedback up and down when you press a mechanical keyboard switch. In this type of mechanical keyboard switches, linear, tactile, and clicky have different levels of spring hardness. Linear switches have slightly softer springs, tactile switches have slightly firmer springs, and clicky switches have hard springs.

3. Stem

Stem
Stem

Stem is a mechanical switch component that is placed on the top of the spring which is used to press the spring on the mechanical switch when you type. Stem is the button that appears which is where you install the keycpas. The stem also functions to distinguish the types of switches because the stems have different colors, such as red stems for linear switches, brown stems for tactile switches, and blue stems for clicky switches.

4. Top Housing

Top Housing
Top Housing

The top housing on a mechanical switch has a function to cover the components attached to the bottom housing switch such as springs, plates, and stems so that the mechanical keyboard switch becomes more sturdy when used and the components do not separate. Simply put, the top housing has a lock between the bottom housing components, stems, plates, and springs on the mechanical keyboard switch.

5. Plates

Plates
Plates

The iron plate on a mechanical keyboard switch has a function to keep the mechanical switch construction stronger and maintain the balance of the spring on the mechanical keyboard switch. This iron plate has a function so that the mechanical keyboard switch remains balanced when used for typing.

6. Pin

Pin
Pin

There is a mechanical keyboard switch that has 3 and 5 pins. Pins on a mechanical keyboard switch have a function to connect the switch to the PCB and these pins are components that provide input to the PCB and are converted by the PCB into input to the computer.

Conclusion

Mechanical switches on the keyboard are components that are covered by keycaps that have a function to send input to the computer. There are three types of switches based on actuation, namely linear, tactile, and clicky switches.

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