Cool Components II: IDEC Flush Push Buttons

IDEC LW7L Push Buttons

Industrial style does matter.   That’s one reason I like IDEC’s LW7L flush mount pushbuttons.  Recently I was looking at some of our old equipment with Telemecanique pushbuttons that stick out over 5/8″ — those buttons are functional, but look dated.

The LW family of buttons is extensive (well over 10,000 combinations are available), but the models I like are the  LW7L-M1C64MG and similar.  What is good about them?

• They only need a light touch to operate (lighter than some other IDEC push buttons such as the HW2L series)
• High quality
• Long life LED lights available in amber, green, red, blue, white, and yellow.
• Powered directly by 24V (no resistors to worry about — I’ve destroyed LED lights from other companies).  6V, 12V, 120V, and 240V models are available, but I always use 24VDC.
• They are easy to install.
• The price is reasonable (around $30).  The Telemecanique buttons were much more expensive.   They aren’t the cheapest (e.g. the HW2L buttons are about $20), but I think the difference is well worth it because of the next point.
• They look great, with the square shape and flush mounting.  The traditional round, stick out 22mm push button makes equipment look like a retro-encabulator from the 1950’s.  I consider the extra cost over the HW2L buttons a marketing expense.

I also really like IDEC’s XW series of E-STOP switches — especially the models with a LED light.

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2. Cool Components I: Industrial Piezo Motors