ProMax 16mm Metal Rotary Switch - Latching 2-Position (1NO1NC), 3-6V Green LED Ring

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQ)

1. What size hole do I need to drill for this switch? You need to drill a 16mm (roughly 5/8 inch) hole in your panel to fit the threaded body of the switch.

2. What does 1NO1NC mean? It stands for 1 Normally Open, 1 Normally Closed. It signifies that the switch has one Common (C) pin that switches between an open circuit path (NO) and a closed circuit path (NC).

3. Is this switch momentary or latching? This is a latching (maintained) switch. When you turn the knob to the second position, it clicks and stays there until you manually turn it back.

4. What is the maximum panel thickness this can mount to? The threaded body can accommodate mounting panels up to approximately 11.5mm thick.

5. What is the operating voltage of the LED ring? The internal green LED is designed to operate between 3V and 6V DC.

6. What happens if I connect the LED pins to a 12V car battery? The 12V power will instantly burn out the internal 6V LED. If you must use this in a 12V system, you must wire an external current-limiting resistor (approximately 470 Ohms) in series with the + pin.

7. How many pins does the switch have on the back? It features exactly 5 pins: C, NO, NC, +, and -.

8. What are the "+" and "-" pins for? These two outer pins are exclusively for powering the green illumination ring. They have no internal connection to the switching circuit.

9. Can this switch handle 110V/220V AC mains power? The mechanical contacts are generally rated to handle up to 250V AC at 3 Amps. However, the LED pins must only receive 3-6V DC. Mixing mains voltage and low-voltage LEDs in tight spaces requires extreme caution and proper heat-shrink insulation.

10. How do I wire it so the LED is always on? Connect your 5V power supply directly to the + and - pins. The ring will stay illuminated regardless of what position the rotary knob is in.

11. How do I wire it so the LED only turns on when the switch is engaged? Connect your 5V power source to the C (Common) pin. Jumper a short wire from the NO pin to the + LED pin. Connect your load to the NO pin as well, and connect the - LED pin to Ground.

12. Do I have to solder wires to the pins? You can solder them directly, but the pins are also perfectly sized to accept standard 2.8mm (0.110") female spade quick-disconnect terminals, which makes maintenance much easier.

13. Is this switch waterproof? When the rubber O-ring is installed and the nut is tightened securely against a flat panel, the front face of the switch is IP65 rated (resistant to dust and water spray). The rear pins are not waterproof.

14. Can I use this with a 3.3V Raspberry Pi or ESP32? Yes. 3.3V is within the 3-6V operating range of the LED, meaning you can power the LED directly from a 3.3V GPIO pin without blowing it out.

15. What material is the main body made of? It is machined from highly durable metal, typically nickel-plated brass or stainless steel, giving it excellent rust resistance and a premium feel.

16. What is the degree of rotation between the two positions? The rotary knob snaps firmly between the two positions, spanning a 90-degree angle.

17. What is the purpose of the rubber O-ring? The O-ring prevents moisture, dirt, and dust from bypassing the threaded barrel and entering the electronic enclosure behind your mounting panel.

18. Will the metal switch body cause a short circuit on a metal panel? No. The switch contacts are isolated inside the blue plastic base block at the bottom of the switch. The threaded metal barrel acts only as the physical housing.

19. How much current can the mechanical switch handle? The mechanical C, NO, and NC contacts are rated for a maximum of 3 Amps. Do not use this to switch heavy loads like massive motors or large heaters directly; use it to trigger a heavy-duty relay instead.

20. Can I remove the rotary knob? No, the metal actuator knob is permanently machined and pinned into the switch housing. It cannot be removed or swapped for a different style.