ALPS Offers Potentiometer with LED and 24mm Hollow Shaft for Automotive Applications

Duesseldorf, Germany, September 25, 2007 – With the new RK45B series, ALPS ELECTRIC EUROPA GmbH offers a family of new potentiometers with red LED and 24mm hollow shaft. The surface-mountable devices feature a compact design with 45mm in diameter and a low profile installation of 22.2mm. They are remarkable for their rotation angle of 180° and resolutions of 0 or 17 detents per rotation. The necessary detent torque amounts to 55±203mNm or 40±16mNm respectively. The components are specified for vertical PCB assembly. Further technical specifications include a power consumption of 0.05W, a total resistance of 5kΩ, and an insulation resistance of 10MΩ at 50VDC. The voltage proof amounts to 50VAC per minute. With an operating temperature from –40°C to +80°C and an operating life of up to 30,000 rotational cycles, the RK45B series is an ideal solution for automotive applications, e.g. temperature and air volume control for air conditioners. The new potentiometers are remarkable for their excellent operational feeling and a smooth click. To improve the illumination of the knob while retaining the compact dimensions, the LED was placed on the top of the shaft. The RK45B series is suitable for lead-free soldering and meets the RoHS (Restriction on Hazardous Substances) directives. It is available in minimum packaging units of 200 pieces. For more information on the RK45B series please visit http://www3.alps.co.jp/npv_product/0717_RK45B/RK45B_E.PDF

ALPS Electric Co., Ltd. Since its establishment in 1948 ALPS has grown as a comprehensive manufacturer of electronic components. At present ALPS is creating innovative high-value-added products in its main business segments – Components, Magnetic Devices, Communications, Peripheral Products, and Automotive Electronics – which are contributing to the advance of a digital society. ALPS is a global company that carries out its operations with 22 production bases in 9 countries as well as 57 sales bases in 14 countries. Consolidated net sales in the year ended March 31, 2005 amounted to YEN 644 billion. ALPS ELECTRIC EUROPA GmbH, a subsidiary of ALPS Electric Co., Ltd., was established in 1979. Since 1989, the European Head Office has been located in Düsseldorf, where a team of specialists works in Sales, Marketing, and Product Engineering. The activities of our branch offices in Munich, Paris and Milton Keynes, our sales office in Milan and our European distribution work are co-ordinated from Düsseldorf. ALPS Nordic AB, a 100 percent subsidiary of ALPS ELECTRIC EUROPA GmbH, is based in Sweden and services the Scandinavian market.