Glossary of Terms

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  • Insert Mold:In switches used to refer to terminations that are placed in the mold so that plastic is molded around the terminations. The chief benefit is an inherent seal against the intrusion of flux into the body of the device. Therefore, no epoxy terminal seal is required.
  • Insulation Resistance:The electrical resistance between two normally insulated parts; measured at a specific high potential (1000 Vrms). Typical value for switches is 1 G.
  • IP (Ingress Protection):Numbers used to rate the environmental seal of an enclosure.
  • IP64:IP rating indicating that the item is resistant to dust and protected against splashing water.
  • IP65:IP rating indicating that the item is resistant to dust and protected against water projected by a 6.3 mm nozzle against enclosure for 3 minutes at 100 liters per minute of 100 kN/m² at distance of 3 meter.
  • IP67:IP rating indicating means the item is resistant to dust can be placed into a body of water up to a meter deep for 30 minutes.
  • IP68:IP rating indicating that the product is resistant to dust and sealed against continuous immersion under 1 meter of water for a minimum of 30 minutes, not operated.
  • IP69K:IP rating indicating the product is protected against for high-pressure, high-temperature wash-down applications. Such enclosures must not only be resistant to dust, but it must also be able to withstand high-pressure and steam cleaning.
  • Lamp Load:A type of electrical load imposed using incandescent light bulbs.
  • Latching Action:See alternate action (or push-push). Actuator position typically indicates contact position.
  • Leakage Barrier:A ridge or web molded into a switch housing between terminals or contacts to increase the surface distance between them.
  • Leakage Resistance:Dielectric strength
  • LED (Light Emitting Diode):A solid state device that is capable of emitting light.
  • Lever Actuator:A lever that is attached to a basic switch to allow actuation of the switch from a place other than its button.
  • Lever Lock:A part of the toggle on a switch that keeps the toggle lever from being moved accidentally. Its spring detent requires an outward pull on the toggle lever to operate the switch.