C&K announces the addition of painted and laser-etched symbols to the backlit caps on the APB series of industrial pushbutton switches. Available with LEDs in either blue or white, the backlit caps provide a highly visible indication that the switch has been activated or turned on. Additionally, since the LEDs are independent of the switching mechanism, customers can control the LED to indicate whether the switch is in the up (on) or down (off) position and can even control the level of brightness. These pushbutton switches are ideal for joystick modules and control panels used in off-road transportation and construction equipment controls, in addition to a variety of other harsh industrial applications. The rugged, backlit APB series switches feature an extended operating life of up to 1,000,000 cycles.

The backlit industrial APB series pushbutton switches are SPST (single-pull, single-throw) momentary action devices and are available in both a threaded version that features an IP67 panel seal and an IP65 snap-in version without a panel seal. Contacts are available in a range of ratings (200 mA/24 V_DC; 100 mA/50 V_DC; 400 mA/22 V_AC; 125 mA/125 V_AC) and operating life cycles (500,000 and 1,000,000) with a resistance of 50 mΩ. Rated for use in temperatures spanning -40°C to 85°C. APB series switches feature a total travel distance of 2.1 mm (±0.2) and are available with an operating force of either 4 N (±1 N) or 2 N (±0.5 N).

In addition to the nine symbols offered as standard parts, C&K also offer a fully customizable painted and laser etched cap capability that allows them to recreate virtually any symbol on the 12 mm backlit caps of their APB series switches. These switches are commonly used in applications located in poorly lit environments, which can make it difficult to identify individual switch function, so the backlit cap graphics will provide operators with a highly visible indication of what they are activating before they turn it on. Customers can now create symbols specific to their products and the functions its switches perform.

Graphical Symbols: For operator controls and displays on off-road self-propelled work machines