Panel Indicators, Pilot Lights

Part Number	Description / PDF	Quantity
3PLBR1LS-230 Altech Corporation	PILOT LIGHT 22MM INTEGRAL LED WH	5
PLB5LB-230D Altech Corporation	PILOT LIGHT 30 MM LED AMBER 230	0
3PLBR1LS-024 Altech Corporation	PILOT LIGHT 22MM INTEGRAL LED WH	4
3PLBR6L-012 Altech Corporation	PILOT LIGHT 22MM INTEGRAL LED BL	0
3PLBR3L-024 Altech Corporation	PILOT LIGHT 22MM INTEGRAL LED GR	331
2PLB7LB-012 Altech Corporation	PILOT LIGHT LED 22 MM CLEAR 12 V	10
2PLB3-230 Altech Corporation	PILOT LIGHT 22 MM GRN FILL 230V	0
3PLBR34L-024 Altech Corporation	PILOT LIGHT 22MM 24V AC/DC RED/G	65
PLB3-230 Altech Corporation	PILOT LIGHT 30 MM FIL GRN 230 V	0
3PLBR5L-024 Altech Corporation	PILOT LIGHT 22MM INTEGRAL LED AM	55
2PLB4LB-048 Altech Corporation	PILOT LIGHT LED 22 MM RED 48V	3
3PLBR7LS-024 Altech Corporation	PILOT LIGHT 22MM INTEGRAL LED CL	0
3PLBR4LBZ-110N Altech Corporation	PILOT LIGHT W BUZZER 22MM LED RE	0
2PLB8LB-024 Altech Corporation	PILOT LIGHT LED 22 MM YELLOW 24V	0
PLB4-110 Altech Corporation	PILOT LIGHT 30 MM FIL RED 110 V	20
3PLBR7L-012 Altech Corporation	PILOT LIGHT 22MM INTEGRAL LED CL	10
PLB6LB-024 Altech Corporation	PILOT LIGHT 30 MM LED BLUE 24 V	8
PLB7LB-024 Altech Corporation	PILOT LIGHT 30 MM LED CLEAR 24 V	0
2PLB7LB-024 Altech Corporation	PILOT LIGHT LED 22 MM CLEAR 24V	8
PLB3LB-048 Altech Corporation	PILOT LIGHT 30 MM LED GRN 48 V	26

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