Can you identify this component?

parp · 4 Oct 2006 at 20:45

I was recently asked to replace a damaged DC power socket on an NEC Versa s940 laptop, which wasn't a problem. What did cause a problem, however, was the broken component next to the socket (highlighted in red).

...and the various bits which fell out of it...

It's marked as SW1, which should mean it's a switch of some sort, but I have no idea where to get a replacement from. There are no markings on the component itself.

Currently, the laptop boots happily, but can't use AC power at all. The power socket itself is on the reverse side of the board shown (PL1).

If anyone has any ideas, I'd be hugely grateful

bitslice · 4 Oct 2006 at 20:59

with a spring, it's something mechanical.
I'd guess it's to do with the docking bay connector ?
(if that is the same connector to the left)

parp · 4 Oct 2006 at 21:13

bitslice said:
with a spring, it's something mechanical.
I'd guess it's to do with the docking bay connector ?
(if that is the same connector to the left)

There's nothing wrong with the connector you mention, so that can probably be eliminated.

I have a suspicion that it's some kind of switch for alternating between battery and external power (hence the battery working, but the power socket not).

As there's no external means of making contact with the metal coil, I thought the component might be a relay or something, but that's obviously just a guess...

pjthomson · 4 Oct 2006 at 22:16

That's definitely the spring from a switch, not a coil from a relay. You're probably right about it being the mechansim used to switch between AC and battery power (the more likely way would be to detect the voltage on the connecter, but a switch may be easier/cheaper).

Have a look on the ******, RS, Arrow and CPC websites at push button (micro)switches for suitable replacements.

parp · 4 Oct 2006 at 22:37

pjthomson said:
That's definitely the spring from a switch, not a coil from a relay. You're probably right about it being the mechansim used to switch between AC and battery power (the more likely way would be to detect the voltage on the connecter, but a switch may be easier/cheaper).

Have a look on the ******, RS, Arrow and CPC websites at push button (micro)switches for suitable replacements.

Thanks for the suggestions, but the problem with a push-button switch (or indeed any manually operated switch) is that the component is completely enclosed when the laptop is reassembled. It'd therefore mean forcing the machine to use either battery or external power only, unless I misunderstand what you mean...

pjthomson · 4 Oct 2006 at 22:49

I don't think I was particularly clear. If the switch is the mechanism for choosing between AC and battery power, it'll work automatically when you connect up the adapater (i.e. when the AC adapater's plug is inserted it'll push against the switch). Is there any indication which way the button on the switch is/was facing?

Cyber-Mav · 4 Oct 2006 at 23:09

you may be able to do some bodge mastering and get something to work on that.

parp · 4 Oct 2006 at 23:28

pjthomson said:
I don't think I was particularly clear. If the switch is the mechanism for choosing between AC and battery power, it'll work automatically when you connect up the adapater (i.e. when the AC adapater's plug is inserted it'll push against the switch). Is there any indication which way the button on the switch is/was facing?

Sadly, it's not even obvious if there is a button as such (the innards shown seem to be the lid of the component, a spacer and then the spring). If it's designed to be compressed in any way, then it'd be from the top down.

As such, I don't think it's designed to respond to pressure from the plug being inserted, as the socket itself is a separate component on the reverse side of the board (mounted at PL1), and this component is perpendicular to the socket.

pjthomson · 5 Oct 2006 at 11:08

Can you post a close up of this area:

without the red box, and possibly one looking at the component end-on from the back of the circuit board. Also, is it possible to make out what the silk-screen marking is underneath the component?