B3F-1000
ActiveB3F 6x6mm Tactile Switch 100gf
Omron B3F tactile switch — the other ubiquitous 6x6mm PCB button.
Common Applications
Alongside Alps SKQG, the Omron B3F is the most commonly specified 6x6mm tactile switch in electronics. Found in keyboards, game controllers, test equipment, and embedded systems. The B3F-1000 is the basic variant — thousands of configurations exist for stem height, force, and termination.
Specifications
|
Actuation Force
The force needed to press the button. Lower = more sensitive. Sanwa ~65g (light), Seimitsu ~85g (medium), Happ ~130g (heavy).
|
100gf (0.98N)
|
|
Certifications
Third-party safety certifications. UL = required for US NEC installations. CE = EU compliance. CSA = Canadian standards.
|
UL, CSA, CE
|
|
Mechanical Life
How many press cycles before mechanical failure. Higher is better — 10M cycles at 100 presses/day = 274 years.
|
1,000,000 cycles
|
|
Mounting Type
How the button attaches to the panel. Panel mount is standard — installs through a cutout from the front.
|
Through-hole PCB
|
|
Travel Distance
How far the button moves when pressed. Shorter = faster response. Sanwa 0.85mm is extremely short for competitive gaming.
|
0.25mm
|
Compatible Alternatives
These products are functionally equivalent cross-references from other manufacturers.
Installation Quick Reference
Panel cutout: 22mm. Insert from the front of the panel, secure with mounting nut from behind (tighten to 2-3 Nm).
Contact block: Snap or screw the contact block onto the rear of the button body. Ensure the contact block orientation matches the wiring diagram — NO terminals are usually marked.
Wiring: Use 0.5-2.5mm² stranded wire with ferrules. Tighten screw terminals to 0.8 Nm. Test the button function before energizing the circuit.
Dimensions
Troubleshooting
Button doesn't respond when pressed
Check the contact block first — it's the most common failure point. Test continuity across the NO or NC terminals with a multimeter. If no click is felt, the return spring in the head may be broken.
Works intermittently
Contact block contacts are pitted or burned. Replace the contact block — don't try to file the contacts. Check if the rated cycle count has been exceeded.
Button feels mushy or doesn't click
The spring return mechanism in the button head is worn. Replace the head. The contact block can usually be reused if it tests OK.
Where to Buy
Price range
$14.79 — $74.2
across 2 distributors
Quick Specs
- Actuation Force
- 100gf (0.98N)
- Certifications
- UL, CSA, CE
- Mechanical Life
- 1,000,000 cycles
- Mounting Type
- Through-hole PCB
- Travel Distance
- 0.25mm
What People Are Saying
“Alongside Alps SKQG, the Omron B3F is the most commonly specified 6x6mm tactile switch in electronics. Found in keyboards, game controllers, test equipment, and embedded systems. The B3F-1000 is the b”
