Electronics company Schurter has launched a range of antimicrobial switches, allowing the switches to disinfect themselves. 

The antimicrobial coatings inhibit the growth of microorganisms and even kill them and is perfectly suited for medical technology and sanitation areas.

Many infectious diseases are transmitted via contaminated surfaces. Antimicrobial coatings, varnishes and paints can be applied to countless surfaces. They are therefore ideal for facilities where high and the highest standards of hygiene are required. Depending on the particular pathogen, microorganisms can remain active for up to 16 months: on the door handle, in public transport, on the computer keyboard or at the automatic pay station. 

In cooperation with a traditional German company that manufactures paints and varnishes for highly specialised applications, Schurter put the product to the test. The effect of a coating on switches that works according to this photodynamic principle was tested. Only switches with a circumferential groove - i.e. switches with a mechanical stroke - are more difficult to coat, since the coating could flow into the interior of the switch. For these, the coating would have to be limited to the actuator and would have to be applied before final assembly.

The company has recently published a whitepaper on antimicrobial switches which you can access here.