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Alps SKCL Cream

Alps SKCL Cream
A single desoldered Alps SKCL Cream switch
Manufacturer Alps Electric
Family Alps SKCM/SKCL series
Part Number SKCLAD
Switch Type Linear
Travel 3.5mm
Sense method Metal contact
Mount Plate mount
Rated lifetime 20 million cycles
Quoted operating force Unknown, poss. 80gf

Alps SKCL Cream is a linear switch in the first generation of the Alps SKCM/SKCL Series.

Characteristics

The switch follows the general characteristics of the SKCL family, consisting of an upper and lower housing, contact module, stem, and spring. The upper housing has a hole for an LED, but the bottom housing will only have holes for the LED legs to pass through in switches ordered with an LED.

As a first generation switch, SKCL Cream will always have slits in the upper housing.

The stem, which is a cream color, is almost always lubricated and is likely made of a nylon blend1). Unlike all other stems in the family, SKCL Cream stems do not have a notch on one side and are symmetrical.

Alps SKCL Cream, like all SKCM/SKCL series switches, uses a contact module to register the keypress. This sits in the housing on the side without the LED cutout.

Additional Information

The switch was likely in production from 19832) to around 19893). 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.