Editing Four-tab clone (section)

==Description==
The majority of such switches are not branded; the only external clue as to the switch type is the [[mould numbering]] on the upper shell. The shells all follow a standard pattern, and with the mould numbering and branding removed, they would be virtually indistinguishable. The originator of this design is not known.

The lack of branding on early generations of Alps switches has led to four-tab clones being widely mistaken for genuine [[Alps SKCL/SKCM series]] and [[Alps SKBL/SKBM series|SKBL/SKBM series]] switches. The defining characteristic of a four-tab clone is that the shell is supported by the mounting plate from below by four small tabs; Alps themselves used two long tabs. No Alps Electric switches used the four small tabs, but some Alps clones did use long side tabs.

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File:Switch recognition--Alps--Original.svg       | '''Two long tabs:'''<br>typically genuine Alps
File:Switch recognition--Alps--Four tab clone.svg | '''Four small tabs:'''<br>a four-tab clone
</gallery>
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Four-tab clones may be referred to as '''Simplified Alps Type II''' or '''XM'''. The former is an obsolete term with an unclear meaning, which is best avoided. The latter is a misconception that all four-tab clones are from the same manufacturer, of previously unknown name; "XM" stands for [[Xiang Min]] and thus the only switches legitimately referred to as "XM" are those manufactured by Xiang Min. '''Simplified Alps Type IV''' describes a specific switch, [[alps.tw Type OA2]].

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