Choosing an Electrical Switch
More
Compact Safety Limit Switches
Shorter and thinner than other safety limit switches, these are sized to fit tight spaces. They protect machinery and ensure the safety of personnel. Positive-force contacts open the circuit when actuated, even if a spring fails or the contacts stick. They send a signal to your circuit when an object hits the actuator—for instance, a box on a conveyor runs into the switch, stopping the conveyor. They open and close circuits as fast as snap-acting switches, but they have a bigger actuator for large objects. All are NEMA and IP rated for protection from washdowns.
Switches with a plunger actuator require a push to activate, similar to a button.
Switches with a roller plunger actuator have a roller that moves parallel to the mounting direction when an object pushes the actuator. This reduces friction during actuation to limit wear and tear.
Switches with a roller lever actuator use a lever with a roller at the end to activate. This allows parts to glide across the actuation surface with minimal friction, limiting wear and tear.
Switches with a wobble stick actuator have an arm that rotates 360°, so you don’t need to align it in a specific direction. The actuator won’t snap if pushed backward, such as if there’s a jam in your system.
Styles E and F have an actuator that allows you to adjust its height, making it easier to align the switch with the target during installation.
NEMA 13 and IP67 rated switches are protected from oil/coolant spraying and temporary submersion.
For technical drawings and 3-D models, click on a part number.
Housing | ||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Style | No. of Circuits Controlled | Switch Starting Position | Switch Action | Industry Designation | Switching Current @ Voltage | Max. Voltage  | Operating Temp. Range, °F | Actuator Ht. | Wire Connection Type | Lg. | Ht. | Dp. | Housing Material | Environmental Rating | Each | |
Plunger Actuator Style | ||||||||||||||||
| A | 1 | 1 Off (Normally Open) or 1 On (Normally Closed) | Springs Back (Momentary) | SPDT | 3 A @ 240 V AC, 0.27 A @ 250 V DC | 250V DC 240V AC | -40° to 185° | 0.7" | Screw Terminals | 1.2" | 2.6" | 1.2" | Plastic | NEMA 4X, NEMA 13, IP66, IP67 | 00000000 | 000000 |
Roller Plunger Actuator Style | ||||||||||||||||
| B | 1 | 1 Off (Normally Open) or 1 On (Normally Closed) | Springs Back (Momentary) | SPDT | 3 A @ 240 V AC, 0.27 A @ 250 V DC | 250V DC 240V AC | -40° to 185° | 1.1" | Screw Terminals | 1.2" | 2.6" | 1.2" | Plastic | NEMA 4X, NEMA 13, IP66, IP67 | 00000000 | 00000 |
Roller Lever Actuator Style | ||||||||||||||||
| D | 1 | 1 Off (Normally Open) or 1 On (Normally Closed) | Springs Back (Momentary) | SPDT | 3 A @ 240 V AC, 0.27 A @ 250 V DC | 250V DC 240V AC | -40° to 185° | 2" | Screw Terminals | 1.2" | 2.6" | 1.2" | Plastic | NEMA 4X, NEMA 13, IP66, IP67 | 00000000 | 00000 |
| E | 1 | 1 Off (Normally Open) or 1 On (Normally Closed) | Springs Back (Momentary) | SPDT | 3 A @ 240 V AC, 0.27 A @ 250 V DC | 250V DC 240V AC | -40° to 185° | 1.6"-3.3" | Screw Terminals | 1.2" | 2.6" | 1.2" | Plastic | NEMA 4X, NEMA 13, IP66, IP67 | 00000000 | 00000 |
Wobble Stick Actuator Style | ||||||||||||||||
| G | 1 | 1 Off (Normally Open) or 1 On (Normally Closed) | Springs Back (Momentary) | SPDT | 3 A @ 240 V AC, 0.27 A @ 250 V DC | 250V DC 240V AC | -40° to 185° | 4.9" | Screw Terminals | 1.2" | 2.4" | 1.2" | Plastic | NEMA 4X, NEMA 13, IP66, IP67 | 00000000 | 00000 |
Safety Limit Switches
Protect machinery and ensure the safety of personnel—these switches have positive-force contacts that will open the circuit when actuated even if a spring fails or the contacts stick. When an object in motion comes into contact with the actuator, it sends a signal to open or close a circuit. These switches have the rapid-closing action of a snap-acting switch, but with a larger actuator. This makes them a good choice for use with large objects—for instance, a box on a conveyor runs into the switch, stopping the conveyor.
Switches with a plunger actuator require a push to actuate, similar to a button.
Switches with a roller plunger actuator have a roller that moves parallel to the mounting direction when an object pushes the actuator. This reduces friction during actuation to limit wear and tear on your switch.
Switches with a roller lever actuator use a lever with a roller at the end to activate. This allows parts to glide across the actuation surface with minimal friction, limiting wear and tear on your switch.
Switches with a wobble stick actuator have an arm that rotates 360°, so you don’t need to align it in a specific direction. Since the actuator is flexible, it won’t snap if pushed backward. That makes these switches a great choice for systems that get jammed often.
Styles D, E, and F have an actuator that allows you to adjust its height, making it easier to align switch with the target during installation.
Switches with a steel actuator are more durable than switches with a plastic actuator. They also handle higher loads.
Switches with a plastic actuator limit wear and tear on passing objects better than switches with a steel actuator.
For technical drawings and 3-D models, click on a part number.
Housing | |||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Style | No. of Circuits Controlled | Switch Starting Position | Switch Action | Industry Designation | Actuator Material | Switching Current @ Voltage | Max. Voltage | Operating Temp. Range, °F | Actuator Ht. | Wire Connection Type | Lg. | Ht. | Dp. | Housing Material | Environmental Rating | Each | |
Plunger Actuator Style | |||||||||||||||||
| A | 1 | 1 Off (Normally Open) or 1 On (Normally Closed) | Springs Back (Momentary) | SPDT | Steel | 10 A @ 600 V AC, 10 A @ 250 V DC | 600V AC 250V DC | -13° to 185° | 1.3" | Screw Terminals | 1.7" | 3.2" | 1.7" | Zinc | NEMA 4, NEMA 13, IP67 | 0000000 | 0000000 |
Roller Plunger Actuator Style | |||||||||||||||||
| B | 1 | 1 Off (Normally Open) or 1 On (Normally Closed) | Springs Back (Momentary) | SPDT | Steel | 10 A @ 600 V AC, 10 A @ 250 V DC | 600V AC 250V DC | -13° to 185° | 1.8" | Screw Terminals | 1.7" | 3.2" | 1.7" | Zinc | NEMA 4, NEMA 13, IP67 | 0000000 | 000000 |
Roller Lever Actuator Style | |||||||||||||||||
| C | 1 | 1 Off (Normally Open) or 1 On (Normally Closed) | Springs Back (Momentary) | SPDT | Plastic | 10 A @ 600 V AC, 10 A @ 250 V DC | 600V AC 250V DC | -13° to 185° | 2.3" | Screw Terminals | 1.7" | 3.2" | 1.7" | Zinc | NEMA 4, NEMA 13, IP67 | 00000000 | 000000 |
| D | 1 | 1 Off (Normally Open) or 1 On (Normally Closed) | Springs Back (Momentary) | SPDT | Plastic | 10 A @ 600 V AC, 10 A @ 250 V DC | 600V AC 250V DC | -40° to 185° | 2.1"-4.2" | Screw Terminals | 1.7" | 3.2" | 1.7" | Zinc | NEMA 4, NEMA 13, IP67 | 0000000 | 000000 |
| D | 1 | 1 Off (Normally Open) or 1 On (Normally Closed) | Springs Back (Momentary) | SPDT | Steel | 10 A @ 600 V AC, 10 A @ 250 V DC | 600V AC 250V DC | -40° to 185° | 2.5"-4.5" | Screw Terminals | 1.7" | 3.2" | 1.7" | Zinc | NEMA 4, NEMA 13, IP67 | 00000000 | 000000 |
| E | 1 | 1 Off (Normally Open) or 1 On (Normally Closed) | Springs Back (Momentary) | SPDT | Plastic | 10 A @ 600 V AC, 10 A @ 250 V DC | 600V AC 250V DC | -40° to 185° | 3.1"-5.1" | Screw Terminals | 1.7" | 3.2" | 1.7" | Zinc | NEMA 4, NEMA 13, IP67 | 00000000 | 000000 |
Wobble Stick Actuator Style | |||||||||||||||||
| G | 1 | 1 Off (Normally Open) or 1 On (Normally Closed) | Springs Back (Momentary) | SPDT | Plastic | 10 A @ 600 V AC, 10 A @ 250 V DC | 600V AC 250V DC | -13° to 185° | 5.7" | Screw Terminals | 1.7" | 3.2" | 1.7" | Zinc | NEMA 4, NEMA 13, IP67 | 00000000 | 000000 |
| G | 1 | 1 Off (Normally Open) or 1 On (Normally Closed) | Springs Back (Momentary) | SPDT | Steel | 10 A @ 600 V AC, 10 A @ 250 V DC | 600V AC 250V DC | -13° to 185° | 5.3" | Screw Terminals | 1.7" | 3.2" | 1.7" | Zinc | NEMA 4, NEMA 13, IP67 | 00000000 | 000000 |