Panel Indicators, Pilot Lights

Part Number	Description / PDF	Quantity
E16R-12R IndustrialeMart	LED 16MM ROUND 12VDC RED IP67	20
Q8R1BXXR12E APEM Inc.	INDICATOR 12V 8MM RECESSED RED	0
5.05005.1772200 RAFI	LED PANEL IND MICON 14.5 X 2	100
6561109303F Dialight	LED 1/2" FLAT RED 230VAC LEAD	32
Q14P3CXXHY110E APEM Inc.	LED PMI PROMINENT 110VAC YELLOW	0
QS61XXB24 APEM Inc.	INDICATOR 6MM FIXED BLU 24V SLDR	0
41W-NKA120-CAO Visual Communications Company, LLC	PMI .250" LED 120V WIRE CLEAR AM	127
6551303103F Dialight	LED PANEL INDICATOR YELLOW 12V	667
2150A2 Visual Communications Company, LLC	LAMP NEON INCAND CLEAR PNL MNT	0
FL1M-8SW-1-G24V Mallory Sonalert Products	LED GRN 8MM NUT 24VAC/DC STK	79
6091322130F Dialight	LED PNL MT 9MM 12V BLACK YELLOW	181
6792112331F Dialight	9MM HR/R PMI-12VDC W/O-RING	175
Q8P1BXXY110E APEM Inc.	INDICATOR 110V 8MM PROMINENT YEL	21
Q8F1BXXHG24E APEM Inc.	8MM FLSH BLK CHRM HYP GRN 24VDC	64
M22N-BP-TGA-GA Omron Automation & Safety Services	LED PANEL INDICATOR GRN 6VAC/DC	0
5590102027F Dialight	LED PMI SNAP-IN RED PVC FREE	369
84-8001.4640 EAO	INDICATOR-ELEMENT 24VDC/10MA SIN	20
PML50SBFVW Visual Communications Company, LLC	.688" DIA (17.5MM) BLUE LED PANE	47
5110F7 Visual Communications Company, LLC	LED YELLOW 5/32" HOLE PANEL MNT	0
Q6F3BXXB24E APEM Inc.	LED PM INDICATOR FLUSH BLUE	0

Panel Indicators, Pilot Lights

1. Overview

Panel indicators and pilot lights are optoelectronic devices that provide visual status feedback in electrical and electronic systems. These components convert electrical signals into light outputs, enabling operators to monitor equipment conditions at a glance. Their importance spans across industrial automation, consumer electronics, transportation, and medical devices, where reliable visual indication ensures operational safety, efficiency, and user interaction.

2. Major Types and Functional Classification

Type	Functional Features	Application Examples
LED Panel Indicators	Low power consumption, long lifespan, instant response	Industrial control panels, HVAC systems
Lamp-based Pilot Lights	High brightness, compatibility with AC/DC circuits	Machinery status indication, heavy-duty equipment
Combined Indicator/Switch	Integrated illumination with manual control	Emergency stop circuits, control desks
Multi-color Indicators	Programmable color outputs for status differentiation	Network routers, medical diagnostic equipment
Remote Indicators	Separate light source and panel module	Automotive dashboards, aerospace control systems

3. Structure and Components

Typical construction includes:

Light Source: LED chips or filament bulbs with specific color/wavelength
Housing: Thermoplastic or metal body with mounting threads (e.g., M20, NPT)
Optical System: Diffused or focused lens for uniform light distribution
Electrical Interface: Screw terminals, PCB pins, or quick-connect terminals
Sealing Elements: Rubber gaskets for IP65+ protection ratings

4. Key Technical Specifications

Parameter	Significance
Operating Voltage Range	Determines compatibility with control circuits (3-480V AC/DC)
Luminous Intensity (cd)	Affects visibility in different lighting conditions
Color Wavelength (nm)	Standardizes visual coding (e.g., 630nm red for warnings)
MTBF (Hours)	Indicates reliability (LED: 50,000-100,000 hours)
IP Rating	Defines environmental protection level
Response Time (ms)	Critical for real-time status monitoring

5. Application Areas

Industrial: CNC machines, PLC control cabinets, factory automation
Transportation: Locomotive control panels, aircraft avionics
Medical: Patient monitors, imaging equipment status indicators
Consumer: Home appliance power indicators, audio equipment
Energy: Solar inverters, smart grid monitoring systems

6. Leading Manufacturers and Products

Manufacturer	Representative Product	Key Features
Phoenix Contact	ILLINOX series	Modular design, IP69K rating
Omron	XLDC12E-4AH	Ultra-compact LED indicator with 100,000-hour lifespan
Siemens	8WA1000 series	Multi-voltage capability (24-415V AC/DC)
Eaton	Pilot Lights H45K	Shock-resistant filament lamps for heavy-duty use
TE Connectivity	CapLED	Capacitive touch-enabled indicator

7. Selection Recommendations

Key considerations:

Environmental factors: Temperature range (-40 C to +85 C), vibration levels
Electrical compatibility: Voltage matching and circuit type (AC/DC)
Visibility requirements: Ambient light conditions and viewing distance
Certification needs: UL, CE, RoHS compliance for regulatory environments
Mechanical specifications: Panel cutout size (commonly 16/22/30mm)

Example: Selecting an IP67-rated LED indicator with 24V DC operation for a food processing plant's washdown area.

Industry Trends

Emerging developments include:

Integration with IoT systems for smart status monitoring
Miniaturization for high-density panel designs
RGB-LED technology for dynamic color coding
Energy harvesting indicators for self-powered operation
Enhanced durability coatings for extreme environments