Langir Lighted Pushbutton Switches for A Better Experience
Hole diameter 16mm, 19mm, 22mm, 25mm with backlit led
12mm anti vandal switch with dot led, ring led, 2A 36VDC
16mm anti vandal switch with dot, ring and power symbol, 3A 250VAC
16mm anti vandal switch, dot or ring led, 2A 36VDC
New model, 16mm anti vandal switch with tri-color
19mm anti vandal switch with momentary or latching
19mm anti vandal switch with 2NO2NC function
19mm vandal resistant switch with short travel
19mm anti vandal switch with big current max to 21A
19mm, 22mm, 25mm super short anti vandal switch
19mm vandal resistant switch with 2A 36VDC
19mm, 22mm anti vandal switch with square head
19mm anti vandal switch with tri-color customized
22mm anti vandal switch with solder lug(2.8×0.5mm)
Economic type of 22mm anti vandal switch with more function
22mm anti vandal switch with micro-trip, 1NO momentary
22mm anti vandal switch with rear mounting
22mm anti vandal switch with big current to 21A
25mm anti vandal switch, max rating 5A 250VAC
16mm piezo switch with dot or ring illumination
19mm piezo switch with dot or ring illumination
22mm piezo switch with dot or ring illumination
30mm piezo switch with dot or ring illumination
22mm piezo switch with plastic material with whole led , tri-color is available
Hole diameter 16mm capacitive switch with dot illumination or ring illumination
Hole diameter 19mm capacitive switch, triggered by flowing water
Hole diameter 22mm capacitive switch, very long life expectancy
Hole diameter 25mm capacitive switch, easy to clean metal surface
- Top quality and super long working life
- Countless customization choices
- Easy order transaction and fast shipping times
- Three wiring methods for quick installation and immediate use
- Free quotation for any types of orders
Custom Your Lighted Pushbutton Switches to Suit with Your Equipment
The Langir lighted pushbutton switch offers an array of bright and attractive color choices so you have plenty of options for your application.
Choose from single colors of red, blue, green, yellow, orange, and white.
Or if you like you can request dual color combinations or even triple color combinations of any of those colors.
Aside from that, you can also choose from different actuator designs like the dot, ring, or laser etched power logo.
If you want actuators with universally recognizable icons you can choose from over 50+ Backlit Labels Icons suitable for many controls and back printed for durability.
You can also choose from special kinds of switches as the piezo lighted pushbutton switch or capacitive lighted pushbutton switch for a more sophisticated appearance and enjoy the touch sensor technology on your fingertips.
Langir gives you the freedom to customize your lighted pushbutton switches from their colors, designs, sizes, shapes, symbols, configurations, and as well as designing your own.
We are happy to hear about your ideas today and we will do our best to fulfill your requests as soon as possible.
If you want unique and brand tailored lighted pushbutton switches, let us know about them and we will work together to ensure that you will receive the specific switches for your business needs.
You can also customize your lighted pushbutton switches even for personal use, whether for your light switches, desk lamps, kitchen appliances, doorbells, and also for your vehicles.
We will inspect every minute detail of your order to make sure that you can immediately use your customized lighted pushbutton switches.
Langir will take care of your customization requests from start to finish and we will see to it that your customized lighted pushbutton switches are delivered to you in top quality.
- Factory
- Application
FAQ’S
Langir provides 365 days warranty on lighted pushbutton switches as well as other types of switches in our catalog.
Yes, Langir can provide you will one or a couple of pushbutton switch samples and they are free.
Yes, we will do our best to cater to your urgent orders and will update you along the way.
There are around 40 up to 50 units of lighted pushbutton switches carefully arranged on protective foam.
While for one carton, there are around 500 up to 1000 units.
However, for small orders, the lighted pushbutton switches are packaged using a sealed plastic bag.
Good news! You don’t have to wait for too long. In fact, right after your order is confirmed, it will be delivered to you right away and you will receive it anywhere between 2 to 3 days.
Langir Lighted Pushbutton Switch – Your 24/7 Bright Companion
Langir lighted pushbutton switch is your 24/7 bright companion that is bright enough to shine even during daytime.
Our light pushbutton switches are made from top grade materials that guarantee robustness and long service life.
We are serious about providing superior lighted pushbutton switches as a leading switch manufacturer in China for many decades now.
So when you order from Langir, you are certain to never go wrong with your choice of manufacturer.
Langir has been supplying pushbutton switches in more than 70+ countries around the world for many years.
Its world class quality and compliance to international standards are proof that you, our customer, are already treated as our top priority.
Aside from providing you with high quality lighted pushbutton switches, we will also help you in choosing the right lighted pushbutton switch for your application.
Once your order is confirmed, your lighted pushbutton switches are carefully inspected ensuring their optimum working performance.
Then they are dispatched from the factory and delivered to you in a few days.
Our trained and friendly sales team is ready to answer all your inquiries and assist you with our fast and efficient order processing.
Langir’s lighted pushbutton switches are guaranteed high quality so you can already install them right after receiving them.
Lighted Pushbutton Switches – FAQ Guide
This guide will tell you essential and interesting things about the lighted pushbutton switches.
You will also know its amazing history and how it has evolved into what it is now.
Also, you will learn about how the lighted pushbutton switch works, its important parts, its varieties, its many applications, and other things that you may have not known if not for this complete and helpful guide.
More importantly, you will be guided on how to find the best quality of the lighted pushbutton switch.
So continue to read this guide to make sure that you will only purchase the most appropriate one for your application.
1. What is the lighted pushbutton switch?
Different types of the lighted pushbutton switch
The lighted pushbutton switch is a mechanical switch that lights up when pressed or lights up all the time whether it is pressed or not.
It is also referred to as light push switch, push switch light, lighted push button, light up push button, light up switches, push button with light, push button switch with light, push button light switch with led, led light push button switch, or push button with led light.
Similar to other pushbutton switches, the lighted pushbutton switch also has different kinds, configurations, and applications.
The lighted pushbutton switch’s appearance is unique because it lights up in different colors also showcasing symbols or logos,
No wonder the lighted pushbutton switch has become popular since its inception because people are easily attracted to its colorful lights which can be bright enough to shine even when it is daytime.
2. How is the lighted pushbutton switch made?
The lighted pushbutton switch was not developed by a single person.
It is a combination of different inventions put into one device.
You can think of it as one of the best examples of devices representing multiple inventions in human history, the pushbutton, and the LED.
So let’s talk about the history of the pushbutton switches first.
The pushbutton switch’s invention is a result of a long history of light switch evolution.
You can attribute it to the quick-break light switch which was invented in 1884 by the English inventor, John H. Holmes.
This invention provided the solution to the fire hazard electric arcing problem brought by the predecessors, the gas lamp lights and the arc lamps.
The quick-break light switch pioneered the mechanism that allows the contacts to come together and break off instantly in whatever level of pressure the user will exert to move the switch actuator.
This action restricts the formation of electric arcing allowing the switch to last longer and lessen the fire hazard risk.
This was not present from its predecessors; hence Holmes gave it the name “quick-break”.
Even if it was an invention from the past, you will still find it in many homes and buildings until today.
When it comes to the development of LED (light emitting diode), this semiconductor light source appeared in 1962 in a form of infrared light, a practical electronic component.
It was the result of the prior developments rooting in the electroluminescence phenomenon discovered by Henry Joseph Round, an English experimenter working for Marconi Labs.
Then in 1927, Oleg Losev, a Russian inventor, published a report of the first discovery of LED.
However, despite having been published in several scientific journals distributed in Russia, Germany, and Britain, it has no practical use at that time.
Several developments were improving the LED which happened in more than three decades.
Then in 1962, the Semiconductor Radiant Diode was developed by James Biard and Gary Pittman while working for Texas Instruments located in Dallas, Texas.
This is the first practical use of LED and right after it was patented, the company immediately started manufacturing infrared diodes.
The first yellow color LED was invented by George Craford in 1972.
He also enhanced the brightness of red and red-orange color in LED by ten times.
The first blue violet LED was created by science and engineering doctoral students, Herb Maruska and Wally Rhines in 1972 at Stanford University.
Then more than four decades later, white LED first appeared due to the efforts of Isamu Akasaki and Hiroshi Amano from the University of Nagoya, and Shuji Nakamura of Nichia Chemicals in Tokushima, Japan.
Their inventions succeeded while everyone else failed and the white LED revolutionized the LED lamps.
LED lamps are brighter, more energy efficient, and long lasting when compared to incandescent bulbs and fluorescent lights.
Since one fourth of the world’s electricity is consumed by lights and more companies are looking for better lighting efficiency, LED lamps became popular and it was applied to many applications since then.
Fun Fact: Once upon a time, LED costs $200 per unit
Today, you can purchase LEDs for a bargain price, you can get 1000 pcs for just $15.
But back in 1968, the visible and infrared LED (just the red color) is super expensive costing around $200 per unit.
Imagine if it remained that expensive until today, perhaps your TV, radio, telephone, and the lighted pushbutton switch would probably cost a fortune.
But thanks to the people who relentlessly improved the development of LED, it is now very affordable and widely used in a lot of things.
Inventions contributed to the development of lighted pushbutton switches
3. Does the lighted pushbutton switch work as a standard pushbutton switch?
The direct answer is yes but the lighted pushbutton switch works a little differently because of its LED component which is not found in other standard pushbutton switches.
Generally, how a standard pushbutton switch works are explained simply as:
When the pushbutton switch’s button is pushed, the contacts inside the unit connect allowing the electric current to flow therefore giving the signal for the connected machine or equipment to start operating.
The same working principle can be said to the lighted pushbutton switch but with the exception that it lights up.
Depending on how you connected the wirings of the lighted pushbutton switch, you can have its LED light up all the time, pressed or not pressed, or rather light up when the button is pushed only.
4. How long does the LED last inside the lighted pushbutton switch?
Push button led lights is known to last very long when compared to other lights.
So if you wonder how long the LED inside the lighted pushbutton switch can last, you need not worry about having it die out early.
The led push button lights can last up to 100,000 hours and the other type of lights pale in comparison.
The incandescent bulb can only last for about 1,000 hours while the fluorescent light lasts up to 10,000 hours.
This is why many manufacturers from different industries prefer to use LED for their products whenever applicable.
Aside from the fact that LEDs are affordable, they possess long service life and adds significant value to their products making them more marketable.
And the same is true for the manufacturers of lighted pushbutton switches around the world.
Different LED colors
5. How many types of the lighted pushbutton switch are there?
The lighted pushbutton switch has different kinds such as illumination designs, colors, and shapes.
You can find different single colors such as red, yellow, blue, green, and white.
You can also find dual or triple color lighted pushbutton switch that combines different colors and shows changing colors whenever its button is pushed, or all the colors altogether.
When it comes to the shapes, you can find a round, square, oval, or rectangular shaped lighted pushbutton switch.
Sometimes you will find a uniquely shaped type that’s most likely a customized job.
The illumination designs can be just a dot located either on the center or near the edge of the button’s face, a ring shape which can be thin or thick, a combination of dot and ring shape, a power symbol with or without a ring, or a backlit label showing standard symbols or customized logos.
For example, halo light switch.
Different Backlit label symbols
6. What are the different kinds of applications where the lighted pushbutton switch is ideal to use?
There’s a long list of different kinds of applications in which the lighted pushbutton switch can be used.
Aside from push button led light switch, doorbell, and appliance, the list below is also ideal applications of the lighted pushbutton switch.
- Agricultural machineries
- Aircraft flight controls
- Automatic pump gas stations
- Boat Systems Engine Controls
- Bridge controls and systems
- Car wash systems
- Commercial establishments
- Construction vehicles and machineries
- Dashboards of vehicles
- Electric switchboards
- Enterprise network system controls
- Factory control boards
- Food processing machineries
- Hospital and laboratory equipment
- Power utilities
- Production control systems
- Public transportation systems
- Space station control panels
- Telecommunication systems
- Vending machines and kiosks
There could be more applications of the lighted pushbutton switch not included in this list.
Different applications of the lighted pushbutton switch
7. What makes up one lighted pushbutton switch unit?
The lighted pushbutton switch is composed of different parts that are put together in one single unit.
Each of these parts plays an important role in helping the lighted pushbutton switch to work showcasing its optimum performance.
If you are familiar with pushbutton switches, you may already have an idea about some of its parts usually the ones that are usually seen like the button, or the pins.
But we have listed the different parts of the lighted pushbutton switch which can help you in finding the one for your application.
- Button or actuator
Also called the head, this part is the user facing part of the lighted pushbutton switch.
This is the part that you push to actuate the switch and it has different illumination styles, colors, and designs.
- Body
This is the shell or enclosure of the lighted pushbutton switch where the internal components are safely protected and the other parts are secured together as one device.
- Pins
The pins are where you connect the wires and normally have the common, negative, and positive pins.
The number of pins can be two, three, four, or more depending on the configuration of the switch.
They can also be solder lug, screw type and there are also those with already connected wires called flying leads so that you don’t have to solder the wires anymore.
- Illumination
The lighted pushbutton switch isn’t complete without illumination.
And the part that is responsible for that is the LED chip that is integrated inside the unit.
It emits light with color according to how you have wired the pins.
- O-Ring
The black colored ring made of rubber is the O-ring.
This helps seal the lighted pushbutton switch when being mounted to close the gap underneath the head and the surface of the panel.
It prevents outside elements like dust or any form of liquid to enter and cause moisture or build up debris behind the panel.
- Mounting flange
This metal ring, usually hexagon in shape, is the one responsible for securing the mounting of the lighted pushbutton switch.
In general, it is inserted through the grooves of the switch at the back of the panel.
- Grooves
These are the lines of indentations usually around the body of the switch where the mounting flange is inserted through.
- Spring
This metal coil allows the movement of the button up or down storing mechanical energy while it is at rest.
When you press the button, the spring compresses and builds up mechanical energy.
And when you release the pressure the spring expands and goes back to its normal form.
- Contacts
These are the electrical conductors placed in specific positions inside the lighted pushbutton switch.
There are two types of contacts, movable and stationary.
When you push the button of the lighted pushbutton switch, the movable contacts make a connection with the stationary contacts.
This connection allows the flow of the electric current, therefore, actuating the lighted pushbutton switch and triggering the start of operations of the machine wired to it.
- Module unit
In some types of lighted pushbutton switch, they have a specially manufactured module unit that functions as the mechanical components of the standard switch.
Since they do not have movable parts, it helps prolong the service life of the lighted pushbutton switch.
- Touch sensor technology
Some types of the lighted pushbutton switch have a touch sensor technology similar to modern gadgets and devices.
This means that the button can be actuated without you exerting physical energy, in fact, you only need to touch it slightly.
Some parts may not be included here but these are the most common among lighted pushbutton switches.
Parts of the momentary push button switch
8. What are the color standards of the lighted pushbutton switch?
Although you can purchase whatever color of lighted pushbutton switch you desire or which color will match your application, if you were to use it for machines or equipment that’s used for business operations, you should consider following the color standards.
According to IEC 60204-1 or also called “Safety of Machinery” (1997), using a standard color scheme allows the users to recognize the function of each switch.
- Red
This color means danger, stop, urgent, alert, or emergency.
Although this color is used to indicate an emergency, it is required to use the emergency pushbutton switch in compliance with the international standard ISO 13850 (European Standard EN 418).
It states that the button is required to have a red button with a mushroom head design or something similar and with a yellow background.
While IEC 60204-1, IEC 60947-5, and NFPA 79 states that the color should be bright red as it is a universally recognizable color for danger or emergency.
If you are to use the emergency button, it should not be near other red buttons.
- Blue
The blue color indicates that the function of the lighted pushbutton switch is mandatory, required, link signal change, or reset.
- Green
The green color is universally known as the “go”, start, or power button.
- Yellow
The yellow color means error or caution or sometimes it indicates that the machine needs repair.
- Amber
The amber color also means caution similar to yellow, but this can also be used for reset, acknowledgment, maintenance, or alarms.
- Gray, White, and Black
These colors generally have the same purposes or meanings.
They can be used for start, stop, on, off, reset, or priority non-lighted and lighted buttons.
They are not to be used for a neutral purpose or emergency buttons.
You can also follow the guide below that recommends push light switch button colors per function or purpose:
- For start or on function – You can use white, gray, black, or green except for red.
- For Emergency – Only use the red color or use the appropriate emergency pushbutton switch.
- For stop or off function – Use black, white, and gray colors except for green while red can be used but it must not be near an emergency button.
- Start or on, stop or off combined functions – You can use black, white, gray but not red, yellow, and green.
- For a button that stops an operation when pushed and starts operation when it is released – Use black, white, or gray but refrain from using the colors green, red, or yellow.
- For reset functions – You can use blue, white, gray, and black which can also for a stop or off functions while black, white, and gray are ideal but green is not to be used.
- Various functions – You can use black, white, and gray but you would need labels which can be texts or symbols for better identification especially when they are in the same control panel.
Color choices and color combinations
9. What is the voltage rating of the LED of the lighted pushbutton switch?
The LED of the lighted pushbutton switch has different voltage ratings from as low as 1.7 volts or as high as 220 volts.
The LED is supplied by a forward voltage that travels across its leads (from anode to the cathode) which enables it to light up.
It is also called the positive voltage.
If the flow of the voltage is reversed, the LED will not emit light, and this is called the reverse voltage.
Since there are different LED voltage ratings, there are different voltage requirements as well.
Low voltage ratings require a low voltage supply as well.
In another perspective, if the LED has a higher voltage rating, it means that the lighted pushbutton switch is brighter.
The LED’s brightness is also known as the “luminous intensity” which differs from color to color.
- Red – 160 lumens
- Yellow – 200 lumens
- Green – 520 lumens
- Blue – 220 lumens
- White – 2000 lumens
The voltage ratings are also based on the color of the LED like for example:
- 9 Volts – Red LED, the lowest voltage rating
- 2 Volts – Orange and yellow LEDs
- 1 Volts – Green LED
- 4 up to 3.6 Volts – White and blue LEDs
10. What is the switch action of the lighted pushbutton switch and its use?
The switch action refers to the reaction of the switch when the actuator is pressed and after the actuator is pressed.
Generally, there are two switching action types and these are momentary and latching switches actions.
And for the lighted pushbutton switch, it can have both and it can be:
Also referred to as a non-latching lighted pushbutton switch.
When the button is pressed, the action makes a short alteration in the electrical circuit’s state.
When the button is released, the electrical circuit goes back to its normal state.
This switch action is ideal for elevator call buttons, doorbells, intercoms, vehicle horn buttons, and other applications where a momentary switch action is needed.
Also referred to as the maintained switch.
When the button is pressed, the action causes a continued change in the electrical circuit’s state.
When the button is lifted, the electrical circuit remains unchanged until the button is pressed once again that returns it to the normal state.
Typically, this type of switch action is used in kitchen appliances, emergency stop switches, flashlights, light switches, and other applications that need a latching switch action rather than momentary.
It is critical to know what type of switch action you will need for your application.
Because in most cases, one switch action can not be used in an application where the other switch action is needed instead.
Choosing the wrong switch action could cause wasted time and money, delay in business, dissatisfied customers, and so on.
Car horn lighted pushbutton switches
11. What is the contact position of the lighted pushbutton switch when not actuated?
The contact position refers to the state of the contacts inside the switch when the button is not pressed.
In general, there are two commonly known contact positions of the lighted pushbutton switch as well as other types of switches and they are:
The normally lighted pushbutton switch when not pressed has an open circuit which means that the contacts are not connected and lack the flow of electric current.
When you press the button, that’s the only time that the contacts are connected which allows the flow of electric current therefore actuating the switch.
The normally lighted pushbutton switch when not pressed has a closed circuit and the contacts are connected letting the flow of electric current which means that the switch is actuated.
When you press the button, it breaks the connection of the contacts and because of this; the flow of the electric current is broken as well.
Lighted pushbutton switch NO, NC, & NO+NC
12. What is the switching function of the lighted pushbutton switch?
The term switching function refers to the electrical configuration of switches as well as the lighted pushbutton switch.
You can see these terms on electrical diagrams such as schematic, pictorial, or wiring diagrams along with their symbols, illustrations, and sometimes descriptions.
You may find advanced switching functions in a complex electrical diagram but for this list, we will focus on the most basic and common ones.
For the sake of understanding the descriptions below, the following defines the terms used:
Poles – Refers to how many circuits that the switch can control in one actuation.
Throws – Refers to the number of contact points.
Also known as Single Pole Single Throw and it is most commonly known as the basic switch, basic on off switch, or sometimes two way switches.
It has one terminal for both input and output.
Also called the Single Pole Double Throw and is generally known as the changeover switch, or break before make switch.
You can use it to control two circuits.
It has one input terminal, while there are two terminals for its output.
- DPST lighted pushbutton switch
Also referred to as the Double Pole Single Throw and sometimes called the double pole switch, or compared to two SPST switches in one unit.
It has two poles, and this means that it was two terminals for its input while just one terminal for the output.
Also known as Double Pole Double Throw and sometimes compared to two SPDT switches in one unit.
Its terminals have two inputs and outputs respectively and these terminals can be used alternately.
Different switching functions of lighted pushbutton switches
13. How is the lighted pushbutton switch different from the other types of switches?
The lighted pushbutton switches are different from other switches due to the following characteristics:
- Attractive bright light
The lighted pushbutton switch is undeniably attractive because of its different illumination colors and types that the other standard switches do not have.
- The illumination guides you
The lighted pushbutton switch guides you in dark places because it shines brightly so you can find where it is easily.
For example, you have the lighted pushbutton switch for your light switches, you can wire it to stay lit so even when it is dark in the room, you can find it and press it to turn on the lights.
Its brightness can even be strong enough to be seen even during daytime.
- Plenty of design selections
There are plenty of design selections you can choose from that will match any type of application.
You will always find the ideal color, design, and illumination color that will best accommodate the color or material of the machine or equipment where you will be mounting the lighted pushbutton switch to.
- Multi-purpose switch
The lighted pushbutton switch is versatile and can be used in many applications.
Whether switches for lights, electronic devices, speakers, audio components, or appliances, you can use the lighted pushbutton switch if you want to.
Or if you want to upgrade your car’s plain and boring controls into something gorgeous and exciting, you can also replace them with the lighted pushbutton switch.
- High quality and long service life
You can find lighted pushbutton switches that are made from high quality materials and build to be robust so that they can have a long service life.
High quality lighted pushbutton switches’ mechanical life can have up to 1 million cycles.
- Exceptional properties
There are lighted pushbutton switches that have anti vandal and waterproof properties.
A lighted pushbutton switch with anti vandal property is specifically built to endure abuse and tampering.
While a lighted pushbutton switch with waterproof property can be used for near water or wet environments.
These exceptional properties are necessary to consider especially when the lighted pushbutton switch is going to be used in such conditions and tough environments.
Attractive lighted pushbutton switch
14. What materials do manufacturers use for making the lighted pushbutton switch?
Manufacturers commonly use durable and approved materials to make their lighted pushbutton switches.
However, some switches are made from materials that are not long-lasting hence the lighted pushbutton switch has poor quality and has short working life.
Here are the lists of materials that are used by manufacturers to make quality lighted pushbutton switches:
- Stainless steel
- Aluminum (for example, natural aluminum, or anodized aluminum)
- Brass (such as natural brass, gold plated brass, or nickel plated brass)
- Copper (like nickel plated copper or gold plated copper)
- Silver alloy
- Chrome
- Polycarbonate
- Nitrile
- Silicone
- Other materials
Among this list, stainless steel is ideally used by many manufacturers because of its anti-corrosive properties and durability to the test of time.
One example is the metal lighted pushbutton switch with types that uses stainless steel as material.
But the stainless steel has different types or rather grades and the grades indicate the composition of the stainless steel which contributes to its quality and characteristics.
The most commonly used stainless steel grades are:
- SAE 304
The most preferred stainless steel grade is used in making lighted pushbutton switches.
This grade contains some nickel and an amount of chromium that enhances its anti-heat and anti-corrosive properties.
These properties make the lighted pushbutton switch in an environment with tough and humid conditions.
- SAE 316L
This is the second most commonly used stainless steel grade for the manufacturing of a lighted pushbutton switch.
This grade is composed of molybdenum enhancing protection against the effects of saltwater making it ideal for a saline environment.
Stainless steel 304
15. How do you know if the lighted pushbutton switch is made to be tough and durable?
To know if the lighted pushbutton switch is tough or durable, you should look for the IK rating seal.
Not all the lighted pushbutton switches are given this seal since they have to undergo and pass series of tests before they can get rated.
These series of tests are namely:
- Charpy Impact test
Also called the Charpy V-notch test.
This series of tests places one unit of the lighted pushbutton switch in the Charpy impact machine and it is hit by a pendulum hammer with assigned mass and length and while this test is being carried out the temperatures are increased or decreased to observe its material’s reaction.
- Drop Weight test
This test consists of different methods such as dropping the lighted pushbutton switch from different heights or using different types of hammers like the free-fall hammer, spring hammer, or pendulum hammer, to strike it and test its durability.
After these tests, the lighted pushbutton switch is provided with its appropriate IK rating which indicates its protection level against impacts.
The highest rating is IK10 and this is present in the anti vandal lighted pushbutton switch made to be tough and durable.
IK10 rating seal
16. Is the lighted pushbutton switch protected from water entry?
Not all the lighted pushbutton switches are built to prevent water from entering its enclosure.
You need to look for the types with high IP ratings.
The high IP rating determines whether the lighted pushbutton switch has good enclosure protection not only against water entry but also for solid entry like dust or dirt.
The IP rating includes two numbers; the first number is for the protection against solid entry while the second number is the protection against water entry.
If the numbers are higher, this means the protection against the outside elements is better.
The IP67, IP68, and IP69K are the high ratings given to the waterproof lighted pushbutton switch.
While lower IP ratings are considered water resistant.
Waterproof lighted pushbutton switch
17. Does the lighted pushbutton switch have touch button types?
Yes, you are correct, the lighted pushbutton switch has certain types with touch sensitive buttons and there are a couple of them.
The piezo lighted pushbutton switch is also referred to as the piezo touch switch.
It uses the piezoelectric principle in which the mechanical energy is transformed into electrical energy and completes the circuit.
The piezoelectric element is integrated into the unit in which, when the head is pressed, it generates an electric charge that powers up the semiconductor unit which is called the Field Effect Transistor (FET).
Therefore, the FET actuates the piezo module which enables the flow of the electric current.
The FET de-energizes after it has dispersed the current and returns to its resistive state.
Otherwise known as the true touch switch, the capacitive lighted pushbutton switch is activated by just a simple touch of a finger.
This is because it is equipped with a touch sensory technology that contains an electrode and a non-conductive panel.
The surface of the switch maintains a cycle of charge and discharge that forms the capacitance field.
This field is disrupted when anything that possesses an electric charge touches it; even it is just a small amount.
That’s why it reacts to the touch of a human finger because our body contains small amounts of electric charge.
When the capacitance is disrupted, the switch is activated.
Other objects that naturally have a small charge of electricity can also activate it.
Objects that are good conductors of electricity also do the same as long as you hold them while touching the head of the switch.
However, this does not happen for objects that are poor electrical conductors or known as insulators like wood, stone, and fabric.
Both the piezo lighted pushbutton switch and the capacitive lighted pushbutton switch are sealed and do not have mechanical parts.
These characteristics make them generally waterproof and with very long working service.
They both have integrated cables (no pins) so you don’t need to solder or connect the wires yourself reducing the time spent on installing them.
Capacitive lighted pushbutton switches
18. In what ways you can mount the lighted pushbutton switch?
Mounting the lighted pushbutton switch can be done in several ways.
Usually, you will find this stated on the description of the lighted pushbutton switch or included together with its name.
Some types are designed to be mounted in a specific way so it is necessary to know its mounting style before you decide on purchasing it.
Here are the different mounting styles of the lighted pushbutton switch:
The panel mount lighted pushbutton switch has usually mounted any type of panel and it has two ways; the front mount and the rear mount methods.
It is not hard to determine if the lighted pushbutton switch is a front or rear mount, because aside from its description, they differ in appearance.
The front mount lighted pushbutton switch has a thicker head with grooves around it and the mounting flange is fastened around the head instead of on the switch’s body.
While for the rear mount, the grooves are around the switch’s body which is typically seen in most pushbutton switches, and the mounting flange is fastened on the body of the switch.
The surface mount lighted pushbutton switch is mostly mounted on a PCB or otherwise known as a printed circuit board.
These types of pushbutton switches are usually small in size like the 10mm lighted pushbutton switch or the low profile lighted pushbutton switch.
The flush mount lighted pushbutton switch is usually flushed when mounted or leveled where it is mounted on providing a smoother and even surface appearance.
Some reminders before mounting the lighted pushbutton switch:
- Make sure that you have bought the right mounting style suitable for your application
- If possible, read the mounting recommendation from the manufacturer
- Ensure that the diameter of the lighted pushbutton switch fits the mounting hole
- Follow the manufacturer’s suggested panel thickness for a secure mounting material
Knowing the right mounting style for your lighted pushbutton switch helps you in avoiding encountering mounting installation problems later on.
Panel mount lighted pushbutton switch
19. What if you don’t want the lighted pushbutton switch to light up all the time?
Typically, the lighted pushbutton switch can be wired in a couple of ways.
One is when it does not light up all the time or only when the button is pressed.
And the other way is when you want it to light up all the time even when the button is not pressed.
If you have purchased a 5 pin lighted pushbutton switch, it can be wired with the LED to only light up when you press the button.
Here’s what you do:
- Connect one wire from the positive (+) pin to the NO pin.
- Then another wire from the positive (+) pin to the power source.
- Connect another wire from the common (C) to the device
- At last, connect one wire from the negative (-) pin for ground.
But in case you decide to wire your lighted pushbutton switch to have the LED always “on”, you can do the following:
- Connect one wire from the NO pin to the positive (+) pin.
- Then another wire from the positive (+) pin to the device.
- Take a separate wire to connect the common (C) to the power source.
- At last, connect one wire from the negative (-) pin for the ground.
A wiring instruction is mostly included in the package when you order your lighted pushbutton switch.
If there’s none, you can also visit its product listing page or the manufacturer’s website.
Otherwise you can simply contact your manufacturer to send you the wiring instructions.
Wiring illustration of lighted pushbutton switch
20. Do you need a checklist before you shop for the lighted pushbutton switch?
Just like when you do your grocery shopping, it is best if you have a list of the things you need to buy which also includes the quantities or sometimes the name of the brand so that you will buy the right items and avoid committing a mistake.
You can do the same when shopping for the lighted pushbutton switch so that you will purchase the right switch that you need for your application.
At this point, we know now that purchasing the wrong kind could mean a waste of valuable time, and more importantly, it can also be accounted for financial loss from the cost of the purchase, and the possible money loss if the business is negatively affected because of this error in the purchase.
That’s why we’ve put together a simple checklist you can use when you go shopping for lighted pushbutton switches:
- What is the purpose of buying the lighted pushbutton switch?
- How many lighted pushbutton switches do you need? Did you include extra switches in the count just in case you need more?
- Do you have a budget for your purchase? If so, how much?
- What lighted pushbutton switch do you need in particular?
- What switching action does your application require? (SPST, DPST, or SPDT)
- What is the normal contact position or positions are needed? (NO or NC)
- What type of switch actions is most suitable for your application? (Momentary or latching)
- What specific color or colors do you want?
- What’s the color of the switch?
- What is the color of the LED or illumination? Do you want dual or triple colors?
- Do you need an anti vandal or waterproof (or both) type of lighted pushbutton switch?
- What other specifications do you need for your lighted pushbutton switch?
- The pins (Solder lug, screw type, or flying leads)
- The mounting style (front mount or rear mount)
- The voltage rating
Hopefully, with this simple guide checklist or questions, you will purchase the right lighted pushbutton switch you specifically need for your application.
Having this prepared reduces the chance of you committing an error when purchasing lighted pushbutton switches whether small or big orders.
This will make your shopping easy, saving valuable time and saving money as well.