What is a Pushbutton Switch?

Definition

What is a Pushbutton Switch?

Pushbutton Switches operate via a pushing or pulling action that moves the operating part in the direction of the force required to open or close the contacts.
The operating part is generally equipped with an incandescent lamp or LED to provide illumination and status indication.

Features

Features of Pushbutton Switches

Status Indication	By adding illumination and status indication to the switch, the user can get visual feedback on the operation input they make.
Rich Product Variations	Pushbutton Switches are used in a wide variety of applications from miniature devices to large-scale equipment, and therefore come in a rich selection of sizes, specifications and functions.

Pushbutton Switches are used in a wide variety of devices, and therefore our product lineup includes an extremely large number of different items to meet those needs.

Models

Types of Pushbutton Switch Models

Pushbutton Switches come in round and rectangular bodies.
Round Pushbuttons are inserted into a circular hole on the mounting surface. The product series are categorized by the diameter of that mounting hole.
Each product series includes a variety of products based on the color, illumination and shape of the operating part.
We can also provide other items that might be mounted on the same panel, such as Indicators, Selectors and Buzzers.

Round Pushbutton Switch Variations

Rectangular Pushbutton series are categorized by their external size.
Each product series includes a variety of products based on the color, illumination and illumination method of the operating part.
We have also added indicator lamps commonly mounted on the same panel to our lineup.

Square Pushbutton Switch Variations

Select the best configuration for your applications from a wide variety of external sizes and specifications.

Structures

Pushbutton Switch Structures

Pushbutton Switches generally consist of an operating part, mounting part, switch unit and case part.

1 Operating Part

The operating part relays the external operating force to the switch unit.

2 Mounting Part

This is the part that secures the switch to the panel.

3 Switch Unit

This part opens and closes the electrical circuit.

4 Case Part

The case protects the internal mechanisms of the switch.

5 Light Source

The case protects the internal mechanisms of the switch.

1 Operating Part

The operating part relays the external operating force or movement to the switch unit.
The surface of the operating part on Illuminated Switches is illuminated from the light source.
There are two different types of Pushbutton Switches: Momentary Operation (self-resetting) Switches that are ON only while they are being pressed, and Alternate Operation (self-holding) Switches that stay ON when pressed and released and only turn OFF when they are pressed again.

2 Mounting Part

Round Pushbuttons use a mounting nut to secure them into place, while Rectangular Pushbuttons can be snapped into a panel by simply pushing it into the appropriate mounting hole.

3 Switch Unit

The external force or movement received by the operating part is relayed to the pushbutton inside the switch, and it moves the moving armature to open or close the contacts.

4 Case Part

The case protects the internal switch mechanisms.
Wiring is soldered to the terminals protruding from the bottom of the case.
On some switches, the switch unit can be separated from the case to improve wiring efficiency.

Lineup

Push Button Switch Products at Omron

Round Types		Rectangular Types
A3D Illuminated Pushbutton Switch Φ8	M2D Indicator Φ8	A3A Miniature Pushbutton Switch 11.5 × 11.5
A3C Illuminated or Non-illuminated Pushbutton Switch Φ12	M2C Indicator Φ12	A3S Illuminated Pushbutton Switch 16.2 × 22.4	M2S Indicator 16.2 × 22.4
A16 Illuminated or Non-illuminated Pushbutton Switch Φ16	M16 Indicator Φ16	A3K Illuminated Pushbutton Switch 16.2 × 22.4	M2K Indicator 16.2 × 22.4
A165S/W Knob-type Selector Switch Φ16	A165K Key-type Selector Switch Φ16	A3P Illuminated Pushbutton Switch 23.5 × 30.5	M2P Indicator 23.5 × 30.5
M2BJ Buzzer Φ16
A22 Illuminated or Non-illuminated Pushbutton Switch Φ22/25	M22 Indicator Φ22/25
A22 Knob-type Selector Switch Φ22/25	A22K Key-type Selector Switch Φ22/25
VAQ Non-illuminated Pushbutton Switch Φ10.5	A2A Non-illuminated Subminiature Pushbutton Switch Φ10.5
VAP Non-illuminated Pushbutton Switch Φ16.5
ZAP Non-illuminated Pushbutton Switch Φ30

Applications

Applications of a Pushbutton Switch

There are several uses for pushbutton switches that are unique to them. Thanks to their wide product line, they’re a very versatile switch. Below, you can see several examples of applications for pushbutton switches.