Product Description & Technical Details
Product Description
The 4x4 Matrix Membrane Keypad is a lightweight, low-profile input device designed for electronic projects requiring user interaction. It consists of 16 tactile keys arranged in a grid of 4 rows and 4 columns. Unlike mechanical switches, this membrane keypad is ultra-thin (less than 1mm thick) and features a self-adhesive back, allowing it to be easily mounted on the flat surface of an enclosure or chassis. It is the industry-standard choice for DIY security systems, digital locks, calculator projects, and menu navigation in embedded applications using microcontrollers like Arduino, Raspberry Pi, and ESP32.
Key Highlights
Compact & Flexible: Its paper-thin design makes it ideal for portable devices where space and weight are at a premium.
Easy Mounting: The peel-and-stick adhesive backing ensures a clean, professional finish on any smooth plastic or metal surface.
Efficient I/O Usage: Uses only 8 microcontroller pins to monitor 16 separate keys, optimizing your hardware resources.
Standard 2.54mm Pitch: The 8-pin female connector is compatible with standard breadboard jumper wires and male headers.
Durable & Spill-Resistant: The sealed membrane surface provides basic protection against dust and accidental splashes compared to open mechanical buttons.
Technical Specifications
Insulation Resistance: 100M Ω, 100V
Contact Bounce: ≤ 5ms
Operating Temperature: 0°C to +70°C
Cable Length: ~85mm (including connector)
Dimensions: 77mm x 69mm x 0.8mm
Lifespan: ~1 million closures per key
Installation Tip from Robogears
To use this keypad with an Arduino, we highly recommend using the Keypad.h library. This library handles the "scanning" of the rows and columns automatically, allowing you to read key presses with just a few lines of code. When connecting, ensure the 8-pin connector is oriented correctly—typically, the first 4 pins are rows and the last 4 are columns. Since the ribbon cable is delicate, avoid sharp bends near the connector to prevent internal fractures in the conductive ink.
Note: This product is the 4x4 Membrane Keypad ONLY. Microcontrollers and jumper wires are sold separately. Product images are for illustration purposes only.