Alps SKCL Green
| Alps SKCL Green | |
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| Manufacturer | Alps Electric |
| Family | Alps SKCM/SKCL series |
| Part Number | SKCLAC1), SKCLFC2) |
| Switch Type | Linear |
| Travel | 3.5mm |
| Sense method | Metal contact |
| Mount | Plate mount |
| Rated lifetime | 20 million cycles |
| Quoted operating force | 60gf |
Alps SKCL Green 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 Green will always have slits in the upper housing.
The stem, which is a yellowish green color, is almost always lubricated and is likely made of a nylon blend3). Unlike all other stems in the family, first generation SKCL stems do not have a notch on one side and are symmetrical.
Alps SKCL Green, 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 19834) to around 19895). 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.