SS-12D11 Miniature Slide Switch SPDT, 3-Pin ON-ON for PCB Mounting

A mini slide switch 3 pin part like the SS-12D11 does one job: it connects a common terminal to one of two other terminals, and it keeps that connection until someone moves the actuator. There is no spring return and no electronics involved. That makes it a simple way to select between two signal paths, two operating modes or two power sources on a small board.

The SS-12D11 solders directly into the PCB through its three bent terminals, so it needs no panel cutout or mounting hardware. Because the pins are bent at a right angle, the switch body lies flat along the board instead of standing up from it, and the actuator is on the side of the body. The through-hole terminals also hold the switch against the force of a thumb pushing the actuator, which matters on products where the switch is operated often. The contacts are silver-plated copper alloy and the housing is high-temperature plastic rated UL94V-0.

Miniature Slide Switch SPDT or a Standard-Size Switch

Choose a miniature slide switch SPDT when board space is the limit and the load is small. It is rated for signal and light power duty, not for mains or motors. If your design needs more positions, more poles or a higher current, look at the full slide switch range instead, and the mini slide switch guide explains how the sizes compare.

The table gives the main electrical, mechanical and environmental ratings of the SS-12D11. Datasheet and drawings are available on request; check the product drawing before you finalize the PCB footprint.

Electrical performance depends on the whole circuit: load type, switching frequency and ambient conditions. Compliance information follows RoHS and REACH requirements.

On a 3 pin slide switch the three terminals have fixed roles. For the SS-12D11 they are:

• Pin 1 (Throw A): the first switched output position.
• Pin 2 (COM): the common terminal. The sliding contact is always connected to this pin.
• Pin 3 (Throw B): the second switched output position.

With the actuator in the first position, COM is connected to Throw A. Slide it to the other end and COM is connected to Throw B. The switch is break-before-make or make-before-break depending on the contact design, so check the drawing if a momentary open circuit in between would matter to your circuit.

Always confirm the terminal numbering against the product drawing before PCB layout. Different manufacturers number the same switch type differently, and a footprint copied from another brand can end up mirrored.

Input Pin 2 (COM) Pin 1 (Throw A) Pin 3 (Throw B) Load A Load B

Choosing between two loads or two signals

Connect the input to COM and one load to each throw. Sliding the actuator sends the input to Load A or Load B. This is the standard use of an SPDT switch, for example to route a signal to one of two inputs or to select a mode.

Using it as a simple on/off switch

Connect the input to COM and the load to one throw, and leave the other throw unconnected. One position then closes the circuit and the other opens it. The ON-ON label describes the switch itself, not how many positions you have to wire.

Selecting one of two power sources

Connect the two sources to the two throws and take the output from COM. Only one source is connected at a time. Keep the current within the 2A rating, and do not use the switch to connect two supplies of different voltage directly to the same load without a protection circuit.

Vistar makes several 3-pin SPDT slide switches. The ratings differ, so choose by your load first.

For the full list, see the slide switch category, or read how the types differ in our slide switch guide and on the 3 pin SPDT slide switch page. For lifetime and failure factors, see mini slide switch reliability.