Latching Pushbuttons (Push-On/Push-Off) – Illuminated and Non-Illuminated

Latching Switches: How Push-On/Push-Off Works

Latching switches maintain their state until pressed again. The first press moves the button to its activated position and the electrical connection stays closed. The second press returns it to its original position and breaks the circuit. No continuous pressure is needed to keep the electrical circuit active.

Many latching buttons use an internal locking mechanism for state retention. This is why latching pushbutton switches are sometimes called self locking. The button stays in its last state, even when the operator walks away, until someone manually resets it with another press.

Latching switches suit anything that must stay on or off for long periods. They provide immediate visual and tactile feedback of their current state, since the button position (and the LED, on illuminated versions) shows whether the circuit is active. They are ideal for industrial process toggles. Common uses include machine start/stop buttons and alarm systems.

Momentary vs. Latching Push Button Switches: Key Differences

The difference between momentary and latching comes down to what happens when you let go.

Momentary switches are ideal for brief, intermittent actions. They are ideal for applications requiring brief user interaction, such as jogging a motor or sending a reset pulse to a control system. A momentary push button is a poor fit when a function needs to stay on. Use latching pushbuttons there, so the operator doesn’t have to hold the button.

A light switch is a familiar household example of the latching principle. Industrial latching push button switches apply the same logic in a sealed, panel-mount form for harsh environments.

Latching Pushbutton Switches for Industrial Applications

PBS112 latching pushbutton switches are built for industrial settings where controls are pressed thousands of times and exposed to dust, washdown spray, and vibration. A 1 million operation rating and IP65 sealing give you a long service life in control panels.

Typical applications include:

• Machine start/stop and mode selection
• Alarm and security systems
• Lighting systems and auxiliary power toggles
• Process enable/disable controls
• Control system overrides

For maintenance teams, quick installation and easy replacement keep downtime short. For designers, one 22mm footprint covers every style in the series.

Latching Push Button Switch Specifications

22mm mounting hole. The PBS112 fits the standard 22mm panel cutout, so it drops into existing control panels and replaces most 22mm pushbuttons without redrilling. Mounting is panel mount, secured from behind the panel. For surface mount applications, install the button in a 22mm-ready enclosure.

NO and NC contact blocks. The PBS112 accepts normally open (NO) and normally closed (NC) contact blocks, so you can configure the electrical connection to match your circuit. Use NO to close a circuit when activated and NC to open one. Combine them for a mixed contact arrangement.

Over 1 million operations. The mechanical rating reflects how many times the latching mechanism can cycle between its activated position and original position before wear becomes a concern.

IP65 rated. IP65-rated for dust and water spray resistance. Check the datasheet for the mounting conditions required to achieve this rating.

Approvals. CE certified, RoHS compliant, cURus listed.

Illuminated and Non-Illuminated Latching Buttons

Non-illuminated latching buttons are a simple, cost-effective choice where position feedback is enough. Illuminated versions add an LED so the operator can see the button’s state from across a control panel. An LED shows the button’s last state and flags a running function at a glance, which supports operator safety and fast troubleshooting.

Choose Your Actuator Style

• Flat head: Standard, low-profile operation.
• Guard ring: A raised ring reduces accidental actuation.
• Mushroom head: Large, easy to find and press quickly.
• Double (flat/raised): A two-level design combining a raised center with a flat outer surface.

All four styles use the same 22mm mounting hole.

Make an Informed Decision

If you need a control to stay on or off after one press, choose a latching pushbutton switch. If you need it active only while pressed, choose a momentary push button. The PBS112 series covers both illuminated and non-illuminated latching options in one standard 22mm footprint. Compare actuator styles, confirm your contact blocks, and check the datasheet for full electrical specifications.

*Volume discounts apply to identical product configurations only. Discounts cannot be combined across different models or configurations.