Capacitive, Magnetic and Piezo Switches

Capacitive, Magnetic, and Piezo Switches are types of electronic switches that operate based on different principles. Let's explore each of them:

  1. Capacitive Switches: Capacitive switches use the principle of capacitance to detect touch or proximity. They typically have a touch-sensitive surface that acts as one plate of a capacitor, while the other plate is usually a ground plane or a separate electrode. When a conductive object, such as a finger, comes close to or touches the touch-sensitive surface, it changes the capacitance, which is then detected by the switch's electronics. Capacitive switches are commonly used in touchscreens, touch-sensitive buttons, and proximity sensors.
  2. Magnetic Switches: Magnetic switches, also known as magnetic reed switches, use the presence or absence of a magnetic field to control the switch's operation. They consist of two metal reeds that are hermetically sealed within a glass tube. Each reed contains magnetically sensitive material. When a magnetic field is applied near the switch, the reeds are attracted to each other, and the switch closes, allowing current to flow. When the magnetic field is removed, the reeds separate, and the switch opens. Magnetic switches are often used in applications such as security systems, door and window sensors, and proximity sensors.
  3. Piezo Switches: Piezo switches utilize the piezoelectric effect to convert mechanical stress or pressure into an electrical signal. They consist of a piezoelectric material, such as certain crystals or ceramics, that generates an electric charge when subjected to mechanical deformation. When pressure or force is applied to the switch, it causes the piezoelectric material to deform, generating an electrical signal. This signal can be used to trigger a switching action. Piezo switches are commonly found in applications where a robust and reliable switch is required, such as industrial control panels, medical equipment, and automotive applications.

Each type of switch has its own advantages and limitations. Capacitive switches offer touch-sensitive and non-mechanical operation but may be affected by moisture or dirt. Magnetic switches are highly reliable and can operate in harsh environments but require the presence of a magnetic field. Piezo switches are durable and can withstand high forces, but they require mechanical pressure to operate and are typically more expensive.

Capacitive Switches
Capacitive Switches
Hall Effect Switches
Hall Effect Switches
Piezo Switches
Piezo Switches
Reed Switch Magnets
Reed Switch Magnets
Reed Switches
Reed Switches
Thumbwheel Switches
Thumbwheel Switches

1027 Products showing for Capacitive, Magnetic and Piezo Switches

1 of 21
Being discontinued
RS PRO Capacitive switch Latching NO Illuminated, Red, Green, IP68 Brass
  • RS Stock No. 823-2731
Subtotal (1 unit)
$35.51(exc. GST)
In Stock
RS PRO, 200mA Natural
  • RS Stock No. 259-1165
Subtotal (1 unit)
$85.41(exc. GST)
In Stock
RS PRO SPCO Through Hole Reed Switch 500 mA 200 V
  • RS Stock No. 265-2244
Subtotal (1 pack of 5 units)
$19.73(exc. GST)
Being discontinued
RS PRO Capacitive switch Momentary NC Illuminated, Red, Green, IP68 Brass
  • RS Stock No. 823-2729
Subtotal (1 unit)
$92.90(exc. GST)
In Stock
RS PRO Illuminated Piezo Switch, Momentary, IP68, 1 A, 65 °C, -20 °C
  • RS Stock No. 175-9552
Subtotal (1 pack of 1 unit)
$107.30(exc. GST)
In Stock
RS PRO Piezo Switch, Momentary, IP68, 1 A, 65 °C, -20 °C
  • RS Stock No. 175-9614
Subtotal (1 pack of 1 unit)
$62.19(exc. GST)
In Stock
CAMDENBOSS Illuminated Piezo Switch, Momentary, SPST, IP68 Wire, 0.2 A, 70 °C, 20 °C Red
  • RS Stock No. 817-9961
  • Mfr. Part No. CPS22IR-ALNA-24RG
Subtotal (1 unit)
$52.26(exc. GST)
In Stock
Omron Thumbwheel Switch
  • RS Stock No. 748-2783
  • Mfr. Part No. A7BS-206
Subtotal (1 unit)
$58.58(exc. GST)
In Stock
Otto IP68S Solder Thumbwheel Switch Snap-in
  • RS Stock No. 737-3762
  • Mfr. Part No. HTWM-1A12A22
Subtotal (1 unit)
$189.99(exc. GST)
In Stock
RS PRO 1 NC Through Hole Reed Switch 500 mA 175 V
  • RS Stock No. 265-2248
Subtotal (1 unit)
$7.64(exc. GST)
In Stock
RS PRO Piezo Switch, Momentary, IP68, 1 A, 65 °C, -20 °C
  • RS Stock No. 175-9533
Subtotal (1 pack of 1 unit)
$88.29(exc. GST)
In Stock
Suregrip IP67, IP66 Hall Effect Sensor 12 mA Lever Solder Tab Spring Return, 70 °C, -40 °C, 5.1 V, 4.9 V
  • RS Stock No. 122-8507
  • Mfr. Part No. SM2-P1-3MO
Subtotal (1 unit)
$460.91(exc. GST)
In Stock
RS PRO SPST Cable Reed Switch 0.5 A 200 V ac/dc
  • RS Stock No. 268-4854
Subtotal (1 unit)
$15.23(exc. GST)
In Stock
APEM IP67 Pre-Wired Thumbwheel Switch Surface
  • RS Stock No. 693-2376
  • Mfr. Part No. HTW-02-BLK
Subtotal (1 unit)
$247.96(exc. GST)
In Stock
RS PRO, 200mA Natural
  • RS Stock No. 259-1161
Subtotal (1 unit)
$181.34(exc. GST)
In Stock
Littelfuse 0.25 A 175 V
  • RS Stock No. 905-8907
  • Mfr. Part No. MDRR-DT-25-30-F
Subtotal (1 bag of 5 units)
$40.27(exc. GST)
In Stock
Assemtech Magnet for use with Rectangular Reed Switches
  • RS Stock No. 613-8202
  • Mfr. Part No. MMPSM
Subtotal (1 unit)
$6.86(exc. GST)
In Stock
RS PRO Illuminated Piezo Switch, Momentary (NO), SPST, IP69 Flexible Wire, 200 mA, 75 °C, -20 °C Red
  • RS Stock No. 259-1144
Subtotal (1 unit)
$109.75(exc. GST)
In Stock
Omron Capacitive switch NC, Red, Green, IP67
  • RS Stock No. 215-5321
  • Mfr. Part No. D5B-1513
Subtotal (1 unit)
$151.17(exc. GST)
In Stock
SMC Direct Reed Switch 20 mA 200 V ac
  • RS Stock No. 280-9299
  • Mfr. Part No. D-A96L
Subtotal (1 unit)
$59.55(exc. GST)
Last RS stock
ZF Reed Switch Magnet
  • RS Stock No. 765-9340
  • Mfr. Part No. AS201801
Subtotal (1 unit)
$7.43(exc. GST)
In Stock
Bulgin Capacitive switch Momentary NC Illuminated, Green, Red, SPST NC, IP68, IP69K Stainless Steel
  • RS Stock No. 208-8020
  • Mfr. Part No. MC25MCSGR
Subtotal (1 unit)
$94.51(exc. GST)
Temporarily out of stock
APEM, NO
  • RS Stock No. 225-690
  • Mfr. Part No. PBAR2AF0000LOG
Subtotal (1 unit)
$148.95(exc. GST)
Stocked by manufacturer
WIKA SPST Through Hole Magnetic Reed Switch 1 A 230 V
  • RS Stock No. 267-6363
  • Mfr. Part No. 14361511
Subtotal (1 unit)
$93.79(exc. GST)
In Stock
Assemtech Reed Switch Magnet for use with Reed switch
  • RS Stock No. 362-2445
  • Mfr. Part No. M1219-3
Subtotal (1 unit)
$1.51(exc. GST)
In Stock
Schurter NO Stainless Steel
  • RS Stock No. 174-5516
  • Mfr. Part No. 3-101-419
Subtotal (1 unit)
$86.14(exc. GST)
In Stock
APEM, 200mA Natural
  • RS Stock No. 224-344
  • Mfr. Part No. PBAR2AF0000
Subtotal (1 unit)
$123.55(exc. GST)
In Stock
Assemtech Reed Switch Magnet for use with Reed switch
  • RS Stock No. 362-2467
  • Mfr. Part No. M1219-5
Subtotal (1 unit)
$4.33(exc. GST)
In Stock
RS PRO SPST Cable Reed Switch 0.5 A 100 V dc
  • RS Stock No. 268-4855
Subtotal (1 unit)
$20.97(exc. GST)
Temporarily out of stock
Assemtech SPST-NO PCB Reed Switch 500 mA 170 V
  • RS Stock No. 909-2663
  • Mfr. Part No. RI-70
Subtotal (1 bag of 10 units)
$25.95(exc. GST)
In Stock
KEMET SPST Through Hole Reed Switch 300 mA 110 V ac/dc
  • RS Stock No. 188-0870
  • Mfr. Part No. OHD3-75B
Subtotal (1 unit)
$12.85(exc. GST)
Temporarily out of stock
RS PRO, 200mA Natural
  • RS Stock No. 259-1153
Subtotal (1 unit)
$84.79(exc. GST)
In Stock
RS PRO 1 NC Through Hole Reed Switch 500 mA 175 V
  • RS Stock No. 265-2246
Subtotal (1 unit)
$5.36(exc. GST)
Being discontinued
RS PRO Capacitive switch Momentary NC Illuminated, White, Blue, IP68 Brass
  • RS Stock No. 823-2744P
Subtotal 1 unit (supplied in a tray)
$90.97(exc. GST)
In Stock
RS PRO Illuminated Piezo Switch, Momentary, IP68, 1 A, 65 °C, -20 °C
  • RS Stock No. 175-9553
Subtotal (1 pack of 1 unit)
$104.05(exc. GST)
Currently unavailable
DiodesZetex Hall Effect Sensor 6 mA Unipolar Surface Mount Direct Latching, 150 °C, -40 °C, 27 V, 2.7 V
  • RS Stock No. 222-2754P
  • Mfr. Part No. AH3242Q-W-7
Subtotal 25 units (supplied on a continuous strip)
$19.425(exc. GST)
In Stock
Littelfuse 0.5 A 200 V
  • RS Stock No. 905-8871
  • Mfr. Part No. Flex-14-10-15
Subtotal (1 bag of 5 units)
$8.24(exc. GST)
In Stock
KEMET SPST Through Hole Reed Switch 300 mA 110 V ac/dc
  • RS Stock No. 188-1019
  • Mfr. Part No. OHD3-40B
Subtotal (1 unit)
$7.58(exc. GST)
Being discontinued
RS PRO Capacitive switch Momentary NO Illuminated, Green, IP68 Brass
  • RS Stock No. 823-2769
Subtotal (1 unit)
$102.54(exc. GST)
Limited stock
Sensata / Cynergy3 SPST PCB Reed Switch 1 A 230 V ac/dc
  • RS Stock No. 229-3658
  • Mfr. Part No. SRA200G/20-30
Subtotal (1 unit)
$8.13(exc. GST)
In Stock
Littelfuse Axial Miniature Reed Switch 0.5 A 200 V
  • RS Stock No. 905-8875
  • Mfr. Part No. Flex-14-15-20
Subtotal (1 bag of 5 units)
$8.24(exc. GST)
In Stock
RS PRO Piezo Switch, Momentary (NO), SPST, IP69 Flexible Wire, 200 mA, 75 °C, -20 °C Natural
  • RS Stock No. 259-1155
Subtotal (1 unit)
$89.23(exc. GST)
Temporarily out of stock
Otto IP68S Through Hole Thumbwheel Switch
  • RS Stock No. 737-3774
  • Mfr. Part No. HTWM-1B12A22
Subtotal (1 unit)
$183.60(exc. GST)
In Stock
APEM Piezo Switch, Momentary, SPST, IP68 Through Hole, 200 mA, 75 °C, -40 °C
  • RS Stock No. 691-9468
  • Mfr. Part No. PBAT5AFB000
Subtotal (1 unit)
$93.82(exc. GST)
Limited stock
Standex-Meder 1 NO Screw Reed Switch 500 mA 250 V
  • RS Stock No. 285-8437
  • Mfr. Part No. MK11-1A66C-500W
Subtotal (1 unit)
$28.55(exc. GST)
In Stock
Schurter NO Stainless Steel
  • RS Stock No. 174-5445
  • Mfr. Part No. 3-101-424
Subtotal (1 unit)
$96.46(exc. GST)
Temporarily out of stock
Bulgin Illuminated Piezo Switch, Momentary, IP69K, IP68 Wire, 1 A, 85 °C, -40 °C Grey
  • RS Stock No. 124-1087
  • Mfr. Part No. MPZI019/F/BL/24
Subtotal (1 unit)
$219.25(exc. GST)
In Stock
RS PRO Piezo Switch, Momentary (NO), SPST, IP69 Flexible Wire, 200 mA, 75 °C, -20 °C Natural
  • RS Stock No. 259-1138
Subtotal (1 unit)
$96.78(exc. GST)
In Stock
RS PRO, Momentary (NO), SPST-NO Pre-Wired
  • RS Stock No. 309-317
Subtotal (1 unit)
$62.71(exc. GST)
Last RS stock
RS PRO Capacitive switch Momentary NC Illuminated, Green, IP68 Brass
  • RS Stock No. 823-2763P
Subtotal 1 unit (supplied in a bag)
$90.24(exc. GST)
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