PCB‑Mounted vs. Panel‑Mounted Rocker Switches: What’s the Real Difference?

PCB‑Mounted vs. Panel‑Mounted Rocker Switches: What’s the Real Difference?
If you’ve ever worked with electronics, you’ve likely come across rocker switches. They’re those little buttons you press to turn something ON or OFF—like on a power strip or your coffee machine. But did you know that not all rocker switches are the same?

In fact, how a rocker switch is mounted—whether it’s on a circuit board or on a front panel—makes a big difference in how it works and where it’s used. So, let’s break down the difference between PCB-mounted and panel-mounted rocker switches, in a way that’s easy to understand (no engineering degree needed!).