Panel Indicators, Pilot Lights

Part Number	Description / PDF	Quantity
2PLB6LB-012 Altech Corporation	PILOT LIGHT LED 22 MM BLUE 12V	3
PLB3LB-110 Altech Corporation	PILOT LIGHT 30 MM LED GRN 110 V	11235
3PLBR1L-230 Altech Corporation	PILOT LIGHT 22MM INTEGRAL LED WH	0
2PLB4-NB Altech Corporation	PILOT LIGHT 22 MM RED NO BULB NO	251
PLB1-110 Altech Corporation	PILOT LIGHT 30 MM FIL WHITE 110	120
PLB7LB-048 Altech Corporation	PILOT LIGHT 30 MM LED CLEAR 48 V	0
PLB5LB-230 Altech Corporation	PILOT LIGHT 30 MM LED AMBER 230	1
2PLB5LB-110 Altech Corporation	PILOT LIGHT LED 22 MM AMBER 110V	22
2PLB5LB-230 Altech Corporation	PILOT LIGHT LED 22 MM AMBER 230V	0
2PLB4LB-012 Altech Corporation	PILOT LIGHT LED 22 MM RED 12V	38
PLB8-110 Altech Corporation	PILOT LIGHT 30 MM FIL YEL 110 V	17
2PLB3LB-048 Altech Corporation	PILOT LIGHT LED 22 MM GRN 48 V	0
PLB5LB-024 Altech Corporation	PILOT LIGHT 30 MM LED AMBER 24 V	21
2PLB5LB-048 Altech Corporation	PILOT LIGHT LED 22 MM AMBER 48 V	1310
2PLB4-024 Altech Corporation	PILOT LIGHT 22 MM RED FIL 24V	0
PLB3-024 Altech Corporation	PILOT LIGHT 30 MM FIL GRN 24 V	2
2PLB6LB-048 Altech Corporation	PILOT LIGHT LED 22 MM BLUE 48 V	3
2PLB6-230 Altech Corporation	PILOT LIGHT 22 MM BLUE FIL 230V	0
2PLB8LB-012/024VDC Altech Corporation	PILOT LIGHT LED 22 MM YELLOW 12/	0
PLB5LB-110 Altech Corporation	PILOT LIGHT 30 MM LED AMBER 110	2

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