Why do some customers order sealing boots for sealed switches when they are already factory sealed?
Although this category is comprised of switches that are hermetically sealed (to protect the contacts from being corroded or otherwise contaminated), their panel mounting holes are still exposed to moisture and leakage penetration. Every HEXSEAL® and E-SEEL® is designed with a perimeter seal that surrounds and vacuum protects the mounting hole and prevents bad things from reaching exposed circuit boards, etc. However, sealed switches will achieve mounting hole protection from our new silicone bonded Shaft-Bushing Washer- Seal — part numbers 60064 & 60225. This is a highly efficient solution and a superior method than using a simple O-ring. See Bulletin PBS- 100 for more details. However, environments that are exposed to very fine dust particles, such as cement, flour, etc., a build-up can occur in the switch actuator well impeding smooth operator function. Also, ice can form around the actuator causing freeze-ups. Therefore, a silicone sealing boot is still needed to act as a total bar
