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A membrane switch is a multilayered switch device that is touch activated to make or break the electrical connection of a particular switch element. Membrane switches have become popular for use in industrial controls, home appliances, office equipment and automotive applications. Most often, membrane switches are designed for intended use as keyboard, key pad, or front panel interfaces to provide instructions from a user to operate various items, such as computers, manufacturing equipment and vending machines. Membrane switches normally employ a pair of stacked flexible membranes having opposed contacts printed on their facing surfaces. An intermediate layer is disposed between the outer two layers and acts to isolate the switch circuit patterns from each other. Electrical conductors, also printed on the facing surfaces of the membranes, communicate electrical signals to and from the contacts. Finger pressure applied to the switch pushes a conductive pad on the membrane into contact with a similar pad on the substrate. Contact between the pads closes the switch and completes the electrical circuit. Membrane switches are particularly well-suited for use in certain environments wherein it is desired to seal an electronic system against moisture, dust etc. Membrane switches have recently come into wide use for the keypads of cellular phones or portable personal computers or the various control panel switches of household electrical appliances.
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