The Adafruit Push-button Power Switch breakout allows a standard tactile switch to control a supply up to 3A and between 3 and 14V DC. When the tactile switch is pressed it activates an analogue circuit that latches on and connects the input voltage to the output pin via a FET. This is why such a light current device can switch such a high current supply. When in the off state the board only consumes 0.5µA. The board also features a power-on LED which is always reassuring, and one of the pins is a KILL signal which will disconnect the supply or prevent it from being switched on. Because this is a latching circuit a project can choose to switch itself off and still allow you to switch it back on later. Just a few words of caution: this circuit does not have an isolating air-gap like a traditional switch, and if the load generates a voltage higher than the input to the board then current will flow in the reverse direction.
Supplied as a fully assembled board, plus a 12mm tactile switch, and 2 x 4-pin headers for you to solder on as required. The board has been tested and works well with the supplied switch. You can always use your own switch if you prefer - anything that shorts the two button pins will switch the supply on. However, if you use a very bouncy replacement switch then the circuit may not latch and will turn on and off very quickly.
- Switch 3A at up 14V DC with a simple tactile switch
- KILL signal allows devices to turn themselves off
- Adafruit part no. 1400
Please note that with a 3A continuous power draw the FET can get quite hot.
*Customers looking to resell on eBay or Amazon should contact Adafruit directly.
*Customers looking to resell on eBay or Amazon should contact Adafruit directly.
