Overview
The Centralab PA-2043 is a robust rotary switch designed for demanding electrical control and RF switching applications. This vintage industrial component features steatite ceramic insulation, ensuring reliable performance in critical circuits. With its 60-degree break-before-make indexing and silver-plated brass contacts, the PA-2043 delivers dependable switching action across 1-pole, 2-to-6-position configurations.
Key Features
- Steatite ceramic insulation for superior electrical isolation and reliability
- 60-degree break-before-make indexing ensures clean switching with no contact overlap
- Silver-plated brass contacts minimize tarnishing and maintain low contact resistance
- Non-shorting configuration prevents unwanted circuit bridging
- Compact design with 1.47-inch diameter and 1/4-inch shaft
- Configurable 2-to-6-position selector for flexible control applications
Technical Specifications
- Contacts: 1 Pole, 2 to 6 Positions (switchable)
- Contact Rating: 0.5A @ 125VAC, 1.5A @ 28VDC
- Switching Action: Break Before Make, 60° Indexing
- Insulation: Steatite Ceramic (Grade L-5A)
- Contact Material: Silver-plated Brass
- Configuration: Non-shorting
- Shaft Diameter: 1/4 inch
- Shaft Length: 1.829 inches
- Switch Body Diameter: 1.47 inches
Typical Applications
- RF antenna selector switching and coaxial relay applications
- Audio equipment input/output selection circuits
- Test equipment and bench instrument control panels
- Industrial equipment mode selection and configuration
- Vintage radio and amateur radio (ham radio) projects
- Custom control circuit design and prototyping
Compatibility & Replacements
Compatible With
- Universal rotary switch applications up to 0.5A @ 125VAC or 1.5A @ 28VDC
- Custom control circuits and industrial panels
- Audio and RF equipment using standard rotary switch mounting
- Equipment designed for PA-series Centralab steatite switches
Replaces / Drop-In Replacement For
Verify compatibility with your system integrator before ordering. The PA-2043 uses standard Centralab mounting and switching specifications; other PA-series models with identical specifications may be interchangeable depending on mechanical fit and position count requirements.
Works With
- 1/4-inch shaft-based rotary knobs and couplers
- Standard electrical control wiring and bus configurations
- Metallic panel mount applications with standard hole spacing
- Manual selector and mode-switch circuits in industrial equipment
