Copyright 2011
Melrose Nameplate & Label Co. All Rights Reserved.
26575 Corporate Avenue
Hayward, CA 94545
510-732-3100
FAX: 510-732-3111
LED Backlighting of graphic overlays, and membrane switches is appropriate when:
- Small areas require illumination (bright spots and bleed to adjacent areas are difficult to control)
- Illuminated areas require individual control.
Electroluminescent backlighting (EL) panels lie between the membrane switch graphic overlay and snap domes.
Backlit keypads with electroluminescent technology is best suited for membrane switch, graphic overlay, and backlit keypad applications that:
- Do not require high light intensity or high duty cycles.
- Allow for 100 to 120V; 400 to 800Hz drive circuit.
- Require illumination of selected areas without regards to cutouts and holes.
- Have low power requirements: .5mA/sq inch is typical.
Melrose designs and manufactures backlit keypads, backlit membrane switches, and backlit graphic overlays. Three back lighting technologies are available:
Fiber optic backlighting panels lie between the overlay and domes. They are illuminated by high power LED's.
Fibre optics are best suited for backlit membrane switches and back lit keypads that require:
- Continuous/high duty cycle illumination
- Illumination across the part unimpeded by holes or cutouts
- Electroluminescent (EL)
- Fiber optic
- Dead fronts and LED's
More on membrane switches
Membrane Switch Engineering
-Membrane Switch Manufacturing
Graphic overlay with "dead front" printing can be used to hide graphics when membrane switch back lights are switched off.
Back lighting
Electroluminescent-EL
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Fiber Optic (click image for larger view)
Dead Front Images
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