Panel Indicators, Pilot Lights

Part Number	Description / PDF	Quantity
H16F-12W IndustrialeMart	HIGH LED 16MM FLAT 12VDC WHITE	15
Q16F1BXXY24E APEM Inc.	INDICATOR 24V 16MM FLUSH YELLOW	0
Q14F5CXXHG24E APEM Inc.	LED INDICATOR 14MM FLUSH CHROME	0
Q6R3BXXY12E APEM Inc.	LED PANEL MOUNT INDICATOR YLW	0
6783231112F Dialight	8MM HG/G PMI 3.3VFTYP W/ORES	138
FL1M-6FW-1-Y24V Mallory Sonalert Products	LED YEL 6MM NUT 24VAC/DC STK	83
0035.0667 Schurter	LED REFLECT OUTSIDE 24V 5MM RED	16
FL1P-10QJ-1-G12V Mallory Sonalert Products	LED GRN 10MM SNAP 12VAC/DC STK	7
AML42SBC8 Honeywell Sensing and Productivity Solutions	SWITCH INDICATOR COMPACT LED RED	0
6561355304F Dialight	PANEL IND 120V 1/2" FLT OR W/TRM	0
6072112130F Dialight	LED PNL MT 7MM 12V CHROME RED	219
31G18-2111T Visual Communications Company, LLC	INCAND PANEL INDICATOR 28V	111
H08F-12W IndustrialeMart	HIGH LED 8MM FLAT 12VDC WHITE	42
M16R-24Y IndustrialeMart	LED 16MM ROUND 24VDC YELLOW	26
5583001007F Dialight	IND SNAP-IN PANEL MNT RED/GREEN	2113
556160A314F Dialight	1"FLAT GRN LED PMI CONST INT	18
5581501027F Dialight	LED PMI SNAP-IN GREEN PVC FREE	0
H16F-03G IndustrialeMart	HIGH LED 16MM FLAT 3VDC GREEN	291
S12F-10Y IndustrialeMart	HIGH LED 12MM FLAT 110V YLW IP67	40
M22N-BP-TWA-WD Omron Automation & Safety Services	LED PANEL INDICATOR WHITE 110VAC	9

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