| Circuit Voltage | The voltage that the button contacts will switch | 5 V DC, 12 V DC, 24 V DC, 48 V DC, 120 V AC, or 230 V AC | Choose a contact rating equal to or higher than the actual system voltage. Confirm whether the rating is specified for AC, DC, or both. | AC and DC ratings are not interchangeable. DC arcs generally persist longer, so the DC rating may be lower than the AC rating. |
| Load Current | Normal operating current and inrush current of the load | Signal-level loads below 0.1 A; control loads from 0.5 A to 5 A; heavier loads require a relay or contactor | Select a button whose rating exceeds both the steady-state current and the switching demand. Use a relay or contactor when the load exceeds the button rating. | Motors, solenoids, lamps, and capacitive power supplies can draw substantially higher inrush current than their nominal current. |
| Load Type | Electrical behavior of the connected equipment | Resistive heater, LED lamp, motor, solenoid, relay coil, PLC input, or electronic controller | Use the manufacturer’s rating for the specific load category rather than relying only on a general resistive-current rating. | Inductive loads may need a flyback diode for DC coils, an RC snubber, a varistor, or a dedicated suppression module. |
| Contact Configuration | Whether the circuit should open or close when the button is pressed | NO: normally open; NC: normally closed; COM/NO/NC: changeover contact | Use NO for a start, trigger, or request signal. Use NC for stop or fault-monitoring circuits where a broken wire should be detectable. | Verify terminal markings before wiring. A changeover contact can provide either NO or NC operation, but only the selected terminals should be used. |
| Switching Action | Whether the circuit changes only while pressed or remains changed | Momentary; maintained or latching; push-to-make; push-to-break | Choose momentary action for a pulse or hold-to-run function. Choose maintained action when the button must retain its state after release. | Do not substitute a latching button for a safety-related stop function unless the complete control design permits it. |
| Number of Conductors | The number of separate wires required by the circuit | 2 wires for a simple NO or NC contact; 3 wires for COM/NO/NC; additional wires for illumination | Count contact terminals and LED or lamp terminals separately before ordering the cable or connector. | A lighted button may require a separate pair of wires for the lamp or LED, unless the illumination shares an approved circuit. |
| Terminal Style | How the field wires connect to the button | Screw terminal, solder lug, quick-connect tab, spring terminal, or prewired lead | Match the terminal type to the available tools, vibration level, wire size, and service requirements. | Use the specified wire range and terminal torque. Protect exposed connections against accidental contact and mechanical strain. |
| Wire Size and Insulation | Conductor cross-section, temperature rating, and insulation voltage | Common control wiring: approximately 0.2–1.5 mm²; exact limits depend on the terminal | Select wire according to current, installation method, temperature, voltage, and applicable electrical codes. | The button terminal’s accepted wire range can be smaller than the cable’s electrical capacity. Always follow the terminal specification. |
| Contact Material and Rating | Contact construction and approved switching category | Silver alloy contacts for general control; gold-plated contacts for low-level signals; application-specific ratings | Use low-level contact specifications for PLC or sensor inputs, especially when current is only a few milliamperes. | A high-current contact is not automatically suitable for dry-circuit or very low-current applications. |
| Ingress Protection | Resistance to dust and water at the button face or enclosure | IP20 for protected indoor locations; IP54 for limited dust and splash protection; IP65 or higher for dust-tight and water-jet-resistant designs | Choose the rating for the complete installed assembly, including seals, cable entries, and enclosure. | An IP rating normally applies only under stated mounting conditions. It does not indicate chemical resistance or suitability for immersion unless specifically stated. |
| Environmental Conditions | Temperature, humidity, vibration, dust, chemicals, and outdoor exposure | Indoor, outdoor, washdown, high-vibration, cold, hot, or corrosive environments | Check the specified operating temperature and mechanical endurance for the actual installation location. | Cable glands, gaskets, and strain relief should have compatible environmental ratings. |
| Mechanical Arrangement | Mounting method, panel cutout, actuator size, and required operating force | Panel mount, surface mount, flush mount, guarded, mushroom, illuminated, or keyed actuator | Confirm mounting-hole diameter, panel thickness range, clearance behind the panel, and accessibility. | For emergency-stop applications, use a properly engineered emergency-stop device and control circuit rather than an ordinary push button. |
| Control-Circuit Architecture | Whether the button directly switches the load or only sends a control signal | Direct load switching; relay input; PLC input; low-voltage control circuit | Prefer low-voltage control wiring and a properly rated relay or contactor for high-power equipment. | Keep extra-low-voltage signal wiring separated from mains wiring and use suitable barriers, insulation, and fusing. |
| Electrical Protection | Fuse, circuit breaker, grounding, and accidental-short protection | Branch-circuit fuse or breaker; control-circuit fuse; protective earth where required | Protect the wiring and connected equipment with an appropriately rated protective device. | Disconnect power before installation. Mains-voltage wiring should be installed and tested by a qualified person in accordance with local regulations. |
| Verification Before Purchase | Compatibility of electrical, mechanical, and environmental specifications | Voltage; AC/DC current; NO/NC/CO contacts; action type; terminals; wire size; IP rating; mounting dimensions | Compare the complete datasheet with the actual circuit diagram and installation conditions. | Do not rely on a single headline current rating. Confirm the rating for the exact voltage, load type, switching frequency, and service life. |