Choosing an Electrical Switch
More
Magnetically Actuated Switches
These switches actuate when a magnet comes within sensing distance, and reset when the magnet moves away. They’re often used to detect when a door or window opens. Mount the switch in a stationary position, such as a door frame, and mount the magnet to a movable object, such as the door. They do not include a safety relay and cannot be used with safety-guard doors found on machinery.
Switches with a plug connect to cables with a socket (sold separately), allowing you to quickly connect and disconnect the switch.
Switches with an LED status indicator let you visually confirm that it’s connected and whether it’s actuated.
IP65 rated switches protect against rinsing and dust. IP68 rated switches protect against washdowns and continuous submersion. Use IP69K rated switches in demanding environments, such as roadways.
Micro
M12 Plug
Switches | Replacement Magnets | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| No. of Circuits Controlled | Switch Starting Position | Industry Designation | Switching Current @ Voltage | Max. Voltage  | Max. Sensing Distance | Dia. | Lg. | Mount. Thread Size | Environmental Rating | Each | Each | |||
Stainless Steel Housing | ||||||||||||||
With 4-Pole Micro M12 Plug and LED Status Indicator | ||||||||||||||
| K | 1 | 1 Off (Normally Open) | SPST-NO | 0.1 A @ 3 V DC | 30V DC | 2.36" | 0.47" | 2.36" | M12 | IP65, IP68, IP69K | 000000000 | 0000000 | 000000000 | 000000 |
| K | 1 | 1 Off (Normally Open) | SPST-NO | 0.1 A @ 3 V DC | 30V DC | 2.75" | 0.71" | 2.36" | M18 | IP65, IP68, IP69K | 000000000 | 000000 | 000000000 | 00000 |
| K | 1 | 1 Off (Normally Open) | SPST-NO | 0.2 A @ 3 V DC | 30V DC | 3.94" | 0.71" | 2.36" | M18 | IP68, IP69K | 000000000 | 000000 | 000000000 | 00000 |
| No. of Poles | Cable Lead Lg., ft. | Environmental Rating | Each | |
Micro M12 Socket × Wire Leads | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 | 12 | IP67 | 0000000 | 000000 |
Frame-Mounted RFID Safety Switches
Prevent accidental bumps or vibration from triggering these safety switches unnecessarily—a strong magnet maintains the RFID signal between the actuator and switch until it's intentionally opened. Also known as interlock switches, they automatically cut power when you open an access door, interrupting the signal, then restore power when the door is closed, and the switch and actuator meet. They're designed to mount on a frame and a door, gate, or window. Use them in many ways—from turning off a machine-operated saw when you open the protective window to powering down robotic arms when someone enters the partitioned area. The LED indicator shows that your switch is on and whether it’s actuated.
The number of safety outputs, also known as output signal switching devices (OSSDs), tells you how many machines you can control. Each output has a pair of signals that shut down a single machine—if one signal fails, the other takes over as a failsafe.
Switches with a unique RFID code are only compatible with their own actuator, so they’re difficult to tamper with.
IP69K rated switches protect against high-pressure, high-temperature washdowns.
Housing | |||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| No. of Safety Outputs | Holding Force, lbs. | Max. Sensing Distance, mm | Input Voltage | Current Output | Signal Output Type | No. of Wire Leads | Cable Lead Lg. | Ht. | Wd. | Dp. | Mounting Fasteners Included | Features | Environmental Rating | Each | |
Stainless Steel Housing | |||||||||||||||
With Wire Leads | |||||||||||||||
| 1 | 101 | 10 | 24V DC | 200mA | PNP | 8 | 16ft. | 3.8" | 2.5" | 1.5" | Yes | Auxiliary PNP Output, LED Status Indicator, Magnetic Latch, Unique RFID Code | IP69K | 0000000 | 0000000 |
RFID Safety Switches
The convenient, modern alternative to mechanical safety switches. These RFID switches are easier to install, fit a wider range of access points, and can mount horizontally. Since they don't need a traditional key to actuate, they work even if the switch and actuator are slightly misaligned. Also known as interlock switches, they shut off power to equipment as soon as you open the barrier, which disconnects the RFID signal. These switches are often used with small machines. Find them anywhere from a CNC machine’s window to a packaging machine’s service panel. Mount the switch on the frame and the actuator on the barrier. Rated IP67 and IP69K, these switches are protected against temporary submersion and high-pressure, high-temperature washdowns.
The number of safety outputs, also known as output signal switching devices (OSSDs), tells you how many machines you can control. Each output has a pair of signals that shut down a single machine—if one signal fails, the other takes over as a failsafe.
Switches with a magnetic latch help prevent a barrier from opening by accident, such as from light bumps and low vibrations. The magnet keeps the actuator and switch from separating.
Micro M12 cords (sold separately) connect switches to your system’s circuits.
Switches | ||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Housing | Mounting | Replacement Actuators | ||||||||||||||||
| No. of Safety Outputs | Holding Force, lbs. | Max. Sensing Distance, mm | Input Voltage | Current Output | Signal Output Type | Ht. | Wd. | Dp. | Fasteners Included | No. of Slots | Slot Lg. | Slot Wd. | Features | Environmental Rating | Each | Each | ||
Plastic Housing | ||||||||||||||||||
With 8-Pole Micro M12 Plug | ||||||||||||||||||
| 1 | 4 | 12 | 24V DC | 250mA | PNP | 3.6" | 0.9" | 1" | No | 2 | 0.18" | 0.26" | Auxiliary PNP Output, Magnetic Latch | IP65, IP67, IP69K | 00000000 | 0000000 | 0000000 | 000000 |
Cord | |||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| No. of Poles | Coding | Face Dia. | Lg., ft. | Voltage | Current | Wire Gauge | OD | Insulation Material | Environmental Rating | Each | |
| 8 | A | 0.3" | 3 | 30V AC/30V DC | 2A | 22 | 0.22" | PVC Plastic | IP66K, IP67 | 0000000 | 0000000 |
Tamper-Resistant RFID Safety Switches
Block access to machinery while it's running. These safety switches cut power when their signal disconnects, shutting off equipment as you open machine guards. They link to a single actuator, so no other RFID tag or card can interfere. The unique RFID code means that once the power is cut, no one can bypass the switch and restart equipment while the guard is open.
These switches are often used with small machines where there’s no risk of the barrier closing on its own. Find them anywhere from a CNC machine’s window to a machine-operated saw’s service panel. Mount the switch on the frame and the actuator on the barrier. They're also known as interlock switches. Rated IP67 and IP69K, these switches are protected against temporary submersion and high-pressure, high-temperature washdowns.
The number of safety outputs, also known as output signal switching devices (OSSDs), tells you how many machines you can control. Each output has a pair of signals that shut down a single machine—if one signal fails, the other takes over as a failsafe.
Switches with a magnetic latch prevent guards from opening by accident, such as from light bumps and low vibrations.
Micro M12 cords (sold separately) connect switches to your system’s circuits.
Switches | ||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Housing | Mounting | Replacement Actuators | ||||||||||||||||
| No. of Safety Outputs | Holding Force, lbs. | Max. Sensing Distance, mm | Input Voltage | Current Output | Signal Output Type | Ht. | Wd. | Dp. | Fasteners Included | No. of Slots | Slot Lg. | Slot Wd. | Features | Environmental Rating | Each | Each | ||
Plastic Housing | ||||||||||||||||||
With 8-Pole Micro M12 Plug | ||||||||||||||||||
| 1 | 4 | 12 | 24V DC | 250mA | PNP | 3.6" | 0.9" | 1" | No | 2 | 0.18" | 0.26" | Auxiliary PNP Output, Magnetic Latch, Unique RFID Code | IP65, IP67, IP69K | 00000000 | 0000000 | 0000000 | 000000 |
Cord | |||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| No. of Poles | Coding | Face Dia. | Lg., ft. | Voltage | Current | Wire Gauge | OD | Insulation Material | Environmental Rating | Each | |
| 8 | A | 0.3" | 3 | 30V AC/30V DC | 2A | 22 | 0.22" | PVC Plastic | IP66K, IP67 | 0000000 | 0000000 |