In many applications ordinary electrical
and/or electronic switches and poten-
tiometers are susceptible to damage
from water, oil, dust, dirt, salt spray, fungus
and other environmental contaminants.
Often, even factory-sealed, panel-mounted
switches and potentiometers do not protect
behind-panel circuitry from the entry of such
hostile contaminants through the panel
cutout in which the component is mounted.
When reliability and survival in such haz-
ardous environments is required, APM
HEXSEAL’s broad range of environmental
sealing boots provide cost-effective, long-
term protection.
HOW APM’S SEALING BOOTS PROTECT
APM’s sealing boots are designed to pro-
tect your switches and potentiometers from
hostile environments without compromising,
or interfering with, the unit’s basic operation.
Each seal is made from tough, high tear-strength elastomer
resistant to most chemicals, lubricants, acids and solvents.
And each remains flexible over a wide operating tempera-
ture range … with many units rated at –94°F to +400°F.
Most toggle, pushbutton and rotary shaft models feature
a molded-in mounting nut, thus serving as both a reliable
seal and mechanical mounting. In addition each HEXSEAL®
and E-SEEL®features an integral proprietary sealing rib
which serves to seal the panel cutout in which the compo-
nent is mounted … thus protecting behind-panel circuitry
from leakage or blow-by.
Full toggle, pushbutton and rocker switch boots com-
pletely envelop the front-of-panel switch mechanism, provid-
ing reliable protection even under high-pressure wash-
downs. Rotary shaft and half toggle/pushbutton seals (in
which the actuator protrudes) are designed to snugly hug
the actuator to protect against entry of moisture, oil, dirt,
dust, and other contaminants.
EMI/RFI and Armored Protection. For EMC-sensitive
applications, APM offers a number of boots with a built-in,
knitted Monel EMI/RFI shield. This integral shield guards
against spurious signals entering or leaving equipment
Why Environmental Protection Is Needed
2© APM HEXSEAL CORP. 1999
High tear-
strength
silicone rubber
in actuation-
compatible
tactility
Single-piece
design for
toggle, push-
button, rocker or
rotary styles, in
any color
Mounting hole Switch housing
Protective chamber
with secondary inner
seal
Molded-in
mounting nut
Patented peri-
meter sealing rib
seals mounting
hole and protects
behind-panel
components
*
All standard EMI/RFI boots feature a knitted Monel shield
Standard colors are black and grey. Boots can be
color-matched to panel/function coding.
through the switch mounting hole. Armored toggle and push-
button switch seals are also available for those instances
where severe mechanical abuse is anticipated.
Millions in Use. APM HEXSEAL’s environmental sealing
boots represent more than 50 years of research and prod-
uct development.Working closely with both switch users and
manufacturers, APM has developed an extensive family of
standard and custom boots for toggle, pushbutton, rocker
and rotary switches. Today APM’s environmental seals are
used around the world in a wide variety of industrial, com-
mercial, and military applications. We would be pleased to
help you select a standard unit, or discuss a custom design
to satisfy your unique application needs.
Custom Designs. Should your requirement call for boots
not shown in this catalog, please contact us for design assis-
tance. The solution often lies in an inexpensive variation of a
standard product.