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Alps SKCL Series
Alps SKCL Series | |
Manufacturer | Alps Electric |
Switch Type | Linear |
Travel | 3.5mm |
Sense method | Metal contact |
Mount | Plate mount |
Rated lifetime | 20 million cycles |
The Alps SKCL Series was a long-running series of switches manufactured by Alps Electric (and the Korea-based Gold Star Alps partnership) between 1983 and 2001.
First generation
Alps SKCL Green
The switch was likely in production from 1983 to around 1989. The switch was replaced for the second generation by SKCL Yellow, with both switches existing side-by-side for a short time.
Due to its long lifetime, SKCL Green can be found with all of the common long contact module variants (i.e. black, grey and white).
There was an earlier variant with notches on both sides of the stem and a longer spring positioning pole in the bottom housing. Aside from these changes, it does not appear to be any different to regular SKCL Green in any qualitative way.
It is possible that the part number for the switch is SKCLAC as this part number is directly adjacent to the part number for SKCL Cream which is SKCLAD. “SKCLAC” is listed at several obsolete switch part sellers with no pictures to confirm.
Alps SKCL Cream
The switch was likely in production from 1983 to around 1989. The switch was replaced for the second generation by SKCL Gray.
The switch was most commonly used as a spacebar switch in keyboards using SKCL Green, though it has also been used as a main switch in a considerably smaller number of keyboards.
There is a heavier variant requiring significantly higher force to actuate that is marked with black marker, similar to other heavy switches in the line. It is doubtful that this is a catalog switch.
Alps SKCL Lock
Alps SKCL Double Action
First generation (Gold Star Alps)
Alps SKCL Brown
Alps SKCL Amber
Second generation
Alps SKCL Yellow
Alps SKCL Gray
The switch was likely in production from 1988 to the late 1990s. The switch replaced SKCL Cream.
The switch was most commonly used as a spacebar switch in SKCL Yellow keyboards.
There is a heavier variant, similar to the heavier variant of SKCM Blue that has also only been seen in NEC keyboards. It has an operating force of around 120gf3) and is also incredibly unlikely to be a catalog switch.
Alps SKCL Lock (2nd generation)
SKCL Lock returned for the second generation with a new part number of SKCLJC, shorter contact module and gray colored, unlubricated stem.