Editing Alps clone

By the Deskthority definition of a [[clone]] switch, '''Alps clone''' refers to a keyboard switch, not made by [[Alps Electric]], that is interchangeable with [[Alps SKCL/SKCM series]] and [[Alps SKBL/SKBM series|SKBL/SKBM series]] switches. Such switches must match Alps's switches as follows:

* Pin layout — switch can be soldered onto an Alps PCB
* Dimensions of housing — switch should snap into an Alps mounting plate and switch should accept the same distance between the PCB and plate
* [[Alps mount]] slider — switch should take keycaps from Alps switches

==Differentiation==
Because many switches are superficially similar to Alps SKCL/SKCM and SKBL/SKBM series switches, and because earlier SKCL/SKCM switches were not visibly branded (the branding was only on the bottom, which faces the PCB), it became common to mistake a wide variety of switches for being "Alps" switches, including Alps clones and the [[Acer switch]].

===Exterior===
Alps switches have a very recognisable design, that has rarely been copied, that allows them to be fairly positively identified even when not branded.

<div style="text-align: center">
<gallery widths="150">
File:Switch recognition--Alps--Original.svg|'''Two long tabs:'''<br>likely to be genuine Alps
File:Switch recognition--Alps--Four tab clone.svg|'''Four small tabs:'''<br>a [[four-tab clone]]
</gallery>
</div>

Switches that are merely keycap-compatible with Alps are in simply classified as [[:Category:keyboard switches with Alps mount|keyboard switches with Alps mount]].

===Internals===
Alps clone switches are internally very different to SKCL/SKCM series. Alps SKCL/SKCM as well as [[Alps SKCC series|SKCC series]] use a self-contained contact assembly, a "[[switchplate]]". While similar constructions exist in products from other prominent brands such as Omron, Mitsumi and Hosiden, Alps clone switches and other switches derived from Alps, SMK and Omron types typically use simple switch contacts that are secured by grooves in the shell.

<div style="text-align: center">
<gallery widths=650 heights=488>
File:Alps vs Alps clone -- internals.jpg | [[Alps SKCM Amber]] compared with [[alps.tw Type OA2]], [[Tai-Hao APC BSW 045WH]] and [[Xiang Min KSB-C]]
</gallery>
</div>

==See also==
*[[:Category:Clones of Alps SKCL/SKCM switches|Alps clones]]
*[[:Category:Keyboards with Alps clone switches|Keyboards with Alps clone switches]]
*[[Alps mount recognition]]
*[[Alps.tw switch gallery key]]

[[Category:Keyboard terms]]