I am looking for a switch that (mechanically, not by circuit design) is first a momentary switch and then latches down when depressed far enough to be a maintained switch.
Do all latching switches have a "momentary moment" before latching, or do I need to look for a specific sub-type of latching switch? I'd rather not buy a switch only to find out it doesn't have the momentary function.
Edit: Sorry I'm not sure if my description was clear. What I am looking for is a switch that when you depress it to say 5mm connects the circuit (turns on an LED etc.). If you release it at this point it just springs back and turns off the LED, i.e., a momentary switch. However, if you depress it to 10mm it locks mechanically and keeps the LED on permanently. Then when you depress it to 15mm this unlocks it and it springs back up and disconnects the circuit and you are back where you started. I'm sure I've used these in real life before, I just wasn't sure if it was standard behavior.
Best Answer
Most of the major manufacturers of industrial controls make what are referred to as "Alternate Action" or "Push-On / Push-Off" or simply "Push-Push" buttons. When you select those operators, you can then also get a contact block for it that is N.O.E.M. (Normally Open Early Make). With that combination, the contacts will close BEFORE the button latches, then if you continue pressing hard enough, it will latch and stay closed, until you press the same button again to release it.
Allen Bradley Alternate Action Push Button operator
Allen Bradley NOEM contact block