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Key Tronic switch parts

Key Tronic are not known to have ever sold switches separately. However, the following part numbers have been recovered from service manuals.

Most types are referred to as “actuator assembly” (“ACTUATOR ASSY”), and it is not specified directly whether they are reed or capacitive types, but reed is indicated in the keyboard repair sections. For reed keyboards, these appear to be the plunger units. Part 60-0003-01 (“SWITCH,REED:SPST”) appears to be the separate reed capsules used in these keyboards, that are fed up into the actuator units through holes in the PCB; these can be replaced separately from the actuator assemblies.

Tektronix part 260-1507-00 has two manufacturer assignments: Sprague Electric Co. 162D225X9020 (also written 162D25X9020), and Key Tronic 60-0003-01. Conceivably, Sprague was the supplier of reed switches to Key Tronic. However, the Sprague part number denotes a model of Type 162D Red Top® solid-tantalum capacitor (specifically, 2.2 µF, 20 WVDC, 20 V DC surge), so this part number may be a complete mistake. The same 4014/4015 keyboards also used Sprague 162D225X0020CD2 capacitors. This leaves the identity of the original reed switches a mystery.

Part number Type Size Characteristics Found in Tektronix part
60-0003-01 Reed switch 1-unit SPST Tektronix 4012, 4014, 4015, 4023 260-1507-00
61-0021-03 “Actuator assembly” (reed) 1-unit Standard Tektronix 4012, 4014, 4015, 4023 118-0043-00
61-0021-08 “Actuator assembly” (reed) 1-unit 9 oz Tektronix 4012, 4014, 4015 118-0042-00
61-0031-04 “Actuator assembly” (reed) 1-unit Standard Tektronix 4014, 4015 None
61-0034-15 “Actuator assembly” (reed) 4-unit1 Standard Tektronix 4012, 4014, 4015 118-0045-00
61-0034-16 “Actuator assembly” (reed) 4-unit Standard Tektronix 4014, 4015 None
61-0036-15 “Actuator assembly” (reed) 6-unit1 Standard Tektronix 4012, 4014, 4015 118-0041-00
61-0036-17 “Actuator assembly” (reed) 6-unit Standard Tektronix 4014, 4015 None
61-0036-30 “Actuator assembly” (reed) 6-unit 6 oz in position 1 Tektronix 4012, 4014, 4015 118-0040-00
61-0036-41 “Actuator assembly” (reed) 6-unit 6 oz in position 1 Tektronix 4014, 4015 None
61-0044-37 “Actuator assembly” (reed) 4-unit Position 4 vacant Tektronix 4014, 4015 None
61-0045-33 “Actuator assembly” (reed) 5-unit Position 5 vacant Tektronix 4012, 4014, 4015 118-0044-00
61-0261-09 “Actuator assembly” (reed) 1-unit Alternate action, 9 oz Tektronix 4012, 4014, 4015, 4023 118-0031-00
61-04024-001 “Keyswitch, 30mm” (capacitive) 1-unit Key Tronic KB 5150
61-04031-002 “(left switch)” 1-unit See note 2 Tektronix 4107 118-3018-00
61-04031-001 “(right switch)” 118-3029-00
  1. The 4014/4015 swaps the meaning of 61-0034-15 and 61-0036-15. Digit six indicates the unit size, so the service manual for the 4012 is assumed here to be correct: 4-unit 61-0034-15 and 6-unit 61-0036-15.
  2. The 4107 service manual refers to most keys as “SW,CAPACITIVE:30MM,LOW PROFILE” (Tektronix part 260-2176-00), and these do not have manufacturer details. There is also Tektronix part 260-2177-00, “SW,CAPACITIVE:30MM,LOW PROFILE W/LED”. The keyboard part details are confusing and erroneous. Three positions (one of which is not documented) appear to take either one or two switches, and there is no information as to why, or what switch is used if there is only one; one of them may allow for European keyboard layouts in some fashion. When two are used, the left and right switches have different part numbers, with no description besides being “LEFT” and “RIGHT”. The keyboard is shown to use linear capacitive switches with a tall plunger guide shaft (service manual page 6-29). Note also the the actuator assembly parts do not include the springs, which have separate part numbers in the 45-* category in Key Tronic’s part number system.

The Tektronix 4023 and 4014/4015 service manuals note:

Keys utilize reed switches whose solder contacts are accessible on the underside of the keyboard circuit board. Once the wires are unsoldered, the reeds can be extracted through the holes. Reverse the procedure for replacement.

The 4023 service manual does however list both Cherry and Key Tronic switch parts, and the only illustration of the keyboard shows Key Tronic–like switches.