Pushbuttons Frequently Asked Questions
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Question:
What is the current draw of the Cutler-Hammer Lamps?
Answer
Lamps for 22mm Cutler-Hammer Devices
24 Volt @ 14mA LED monoblock
120 Volt @ 14mA LED monoblock
24 VOLT @ 20mA incandescent W1819
120 VOLT @ 20mA incandescent W1121
6 VOLT @ 200mA incandescent ECX1900-5
130 VOLT @ 20mA incandescent ECX1904-5
24 VOLT @ 26mA LED replacement (ECX part numbers)
120 VOLT @ 5mA LED replacement (ECX part numbers)
Lamps for 30mm Cutler-Hammer Devices
24 VOLT @ 50mA incandescent HT8BUBLV3
120 VOLT @ 19mA incandescent HT8BULBV7
FAQ ID: 226
Question:
What is hole size of your pushbuttons?
Answer
22.5mm for the 22mm pushbuttons and 30.5mm for the 30mm pushbuttons.
FAQ ID: 412
Question:
Do you offer knockouts for pushbuttons?
Answer
22.5mm Knockout Punch for 22mm buttons
30.5mm Knockout Punch for 30mm buttons
For other sizes and accessories, please visit the Knockout Web Page
FAQ ID: 572
Question:
Do you offer a line of illuminated Emergency Stop buttons?
Answer
There are various Red Illuminated Mushroomhead Emergency Stop buttons available.
Please see the website for all the Control and Indicating Devices
FAQ ID: 573
Question:
What is the life expectancy of the E22HL3X8 bulb?
Answer
Approx. 100,000 hours
FAQ ID: 709
Question:
Are the GCX 22mm and Cutler-Hammer E22 pushbutton products interchangeable?
Answer
While the individual components like contact blocks and operators are not interchangeable between brands, some of the replacement lamps are interchangeable. Please check individual specifications before ordering.
FAQ ID: 711
Question:
Why can I not replace the LED in the Cutler-Hammer Monoblock LED indicators?
Answer
The Cutler-Hammer Monoblock indicators incorporate a monolithic LED cluster soldered in place within the indicator. While these indicators are extremely bright, they are not replaceable.
FAQ ID: 712
Question:
Can I use the GCX LED replacements in both Cutler-Hammer and GCX incandescent indicators?
Answer
Yes. The LED replacements are a standard BA-9 bayonet base in 24 and 120 VAC/DC. The indicators work very well in the Cutler-Hammer incandescent indicator with the optically enhanced lens. The illumination is not quite as even in the GCX indicators. Removing the frosted diffuser in the GCX indicator improves the illumination. Remember that you cannot replace the LEDs in the Cutler-Hammer LED Monoblock indicators.
FAQ ID: 713
Question:
How many contact blocks can I use on the GCX devices?
Answer
You may use up to six contact blocks per operator, 2 rows of 3. While it is physically possible to add more contact blocks, it is not recommended.
FAQ ID: 714
Question:
What is the maximum wire size permissible with the GCX contact block?
Answer
14AWG
FAQ ID: 715
Question:
These switches look very similar to devices I've seen in the past. Are the GCX switches compatible with any other brands?
Answer
No. Even though the GCX devices might look like a brand you have used in the past, they are not compatible with these devices.
FAQ ID: 716
Question:
Q: How much current does a 24VDC LED Light draw?
Answer
A: 22ma @ 24vdc.
FAQ ID: 779
Question:
On the E22XBG1RR is the center position neutral?
Answer
Although contacts will not work when physically mounted in the center position, the unit ships with two contact blocks, both contact blocks containing a N.O. and N.C. contact in one unit. One contact block is mounted on the left side, one on the right. The appropriate N.O. contact is closed to indicate when the selector switch is in the left or right position. The two N.C. contacts should be wired together in series. When wired in series, both of these contacts will be closed when the selector switch is in the center position and one of the two will be open when the selector switch is not in the center position. With this arrangement, there are three available contacts, of which only one set of contacts will be closed in any selector switch position, i.e. the left N.O. contact will be closed when the selector switch is in the left position, the two series-wired N.C. contacts will be closed when the selector switch is in the center position, and the right N.O. contact will be closed when the selector switch is in the right position.
| Left Side Contact | Right Side Contact | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Selector position | NO Contact | NC Contact | NC Contact | NO Contact | |
| Left | C | O | O | O | |
| Center | O | C | C | O | |
| Right | O | O | O | C |
C = Contact is closed
O = Contact is open
FAQ ID: 801
Question:
Q: Can you add a N/C contact to the E22PB3A?
Answer
A: Yes you can.
FAQ ID: 802
Question:
Why do red pushbuttons come with a standard NC contact instead of NO?
Answer
For the majority of customers, red is strictly used for stopping. Whereas other colors such as green, blue, or black are for operation. Non-red pushbuttons are all NO as a standard. This stems from the common latching circuit requirements. You can purchase additional contacts and configure it to your needs as required.
FAQ ID: 850
Question:
Do you currently sell Maintained pushbuttons?
Answer
We do carry various illuminated and non-illuminated types Push ON - Push OFF style buttons, in the GCX, Fuji, and Eaton lines.
FAQ ID: 851
Question:
How can I see if my contact is still working correctly?
Answer
Since the contacts are opaque, one must use a multimeter and check for continuity across the contacts.
FAQ ID: 852
Question:
Im having a hard time removing the indicator lights from their sockets?
Answer
Push in and rotate the bulb, the spring action should release it. Another suggestion if your grip is poor, use a piece of tape and stick it to the bulb, then push and rotate.
FAQ ID: 867
Question:
What are the electrical ratings for the contacts on the HT800 30mm pushbuttons contact blocks?
Answer
The contact ratings for the HT8 30mm pushbutton contact blocks are: UL (NEMA) rated AC A600, DC P600.
| VAC (50/60 Hz) | VAC (50/60 Hz) | VAC (50/60 Hz) | VAC (50/60 Hz) | VDC (1) | VDC (1) | VDC (1) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Voltage | 120 | 240 | 480 | 600 | 125 | 250 | 600 |
| Make and Emergency Interrupting Capacity (A) | 60 | 30 | 15 | 12 | 1.1 | 0.55 | 0.02 |
| Normal Load Break (A) | 6 | 3 | 1.5 | 1.2 | 1.1 | 0.55 | 0.02 |
| Thermal Current (A) | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 5 | 5 | 5 |
| Voltamperes | |||||||
| Make and Emergency Interrupting Capacity | 7200 | 7200 | 7200 | 7200 | 138 (2) | 138 (2) | 138 (2) |
| Normal Load Break | 720 | 720 | 720 | 720 | 138 | 138 | 138 |
Note 1: DC Ratings Do Not Apply To NOEM (Normally Open Early Make) And NCLB (Normally Closed Late Break) Contact Blocks HT8C And HT8D.
Note 2: Maximum Make Or Break Volt-Amperes At 300V Or Less.
FAQ ID: 1028
Question:
I need a contact closure for each position of my 3 position selector switch. How can I get that with the two Normally Open and two Normally Closed contacts you supply?
Answer
Most three position selector switches only activate contacts to either side, LEFT or RIGHT, and the CENTER position does not make any contacts change state. This is the case with all the brands of three position selection switches we sell. Sometimes a customer wants to have a contact for all three positions, though, LEFT, CENTER, and RIGHT positions. The traditional method of making this happen is to have four total contacts, two Normally Open (N.O.) contacts and two Normally Closed (N.C.) contacts. You mount one N.O. Contact on each side and one N.C. contact on each side. The N.O. contacts close when the knob or level is pushed to the LEFT or RIGHT side where the associated N.O. contact is and that N.O. contact will close. That satisfies the requirement for a contact for the LEFT and RIGHT positions.
To get a contact for the CENTER position, you wire the two N.C. contacts in series and use the two contacts wired in series as a single contact for the CENTER position. If the knob or lever is in either the LEFT or RIGHT position, the N.C. contact for that side will be open, so there will be no current path between the two contacts wired in series. If the knob is in the CENTER position, however, both N.C. contacts will be closed so there is a current path through the two N.C. contacts wired in series, so you have a closed contact for the CENTER position. Note this wiring scheme works regardless of whether you have four discrete contact blocks, or two combo blocks that have one N.C. and one N.O. contact per block, like our E22 series of switches have.
| Left Side Contacts | Right Side Contacts | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Selector position | NO Contact | NC Contact | NC Contact | NO Contact | |
| Left | C | O | O | O | |
| Center | O | C | C | O | |
| Right | O | O | O | C |
C = Contact is closed
O = Contact is open
FAQ ID: 1378
Question:
What is the rotation of the ECX2300-5K ? How many degrees does it turn?
Answer
The potentiometer has rotation of 285 degrees plus or minus 15 degrees.
FAQ ID: 1387
Question:
Can I replace the 24Vac/dc bulb in the GCX3153-24 with a 120Vac version?
Answer
Yes, the difference is the voltage of the bulb that is in the socket. The socket, per se, is the same.
FAQ ID: 1430
Question:
How do you release the operator on an AR22 series PB?
Answer
You depress the white plastic retainer bar on the back of the switch body and pull the operator from the body.
FAQ ID: 1565