Air-Actuated Switches | McMaster-Carr

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17 Products

Choosing an Electrical Switch

Keep live electrical circuits away from work areas—these switches use air pressure to turn circuits on or off.

No. of Circuits Controlled	Switch Starting Position	Switch Action	No. of Terminals	Industry Designation	Switching Current @ Voltage	Lg.	Wd.	Ht.	Quick-Disconnect Tab Wd.	Includes		Each
1	1 Off (Normally Open) or 1 On (Normally Closed)	Springs Back (Momentary)	3	SPDT	20 A @ 125 V AC/250 V AC	2 1/8"	1 3/4"	1 1/4"	0.187"	10 ft. Tubing	0000000	000000
1	1 Off (Normally Open) or 1 On (Normally Closed)	Stays Switched (Maintained)	3	SPDT	20 A @ 125 V AC/250 V AC	2 1/8"	1 3/4"	1 1/4"	0.187"	10 ft. Tubing	0000000	00000

Build-Your-Own Air-Actuated Hand Switches

Combine a push-button actuator with a switching mechanism to build a complete switch. These switches use air pressure to turn circuits on or off, keeping live electrical circuits away from work areas.

Actuators

Dia.	Ht.	Tube ID	Tube OD	Material	Environmental Rating	Includes		Each
2 5/8"	1"	1/8"	1/4"	Plastic	IP04	6 ft. Tubing	0000000	000000

Switching Mechanisms

No. of Circuits Controlled	Switch Starting Position	Switch Action	No. of Terminals	Industry Designation	Switching Current @ Voltage	Quick-Disconnect Tab Wd.	Specifications Met		Each
1	1 Off (Normally Open) or 1 On (Normally Closed)	Springs Back (Momentary)	3	SPDT	21 A @ 250 V AC	0.25"	CE Marked, CSA Certified, UL Listed, UL 508	0000000	000000
1	1 Off (Normally Open) or 1 On (Normally Closed)	Stays Switched (Maintained)	3	SPDT	21 A @ 250 V AC	0.25"	CE Marked, CSA Certified, UL Listed, UL 508	0000000	00000
2	2 Off (Normally Open) or 2 On (Normally Closed)	Springs Back (Momentary)	6	DPDT	21 A @ 250 V AC	0.25"	UL Listed, UL 508	0000000	00000
2	2 Off (Normally Open) or 2 On (Normally Closed)	Stays Switched (Maintained)	6	DPDT	21 A @ 250 V AC	0.25"	CE Marked, CSA Certified, UL Listed, UL 508	0000000	00000

Air-Actuated Foot Switches

Switch

Switch with Guard

Press these switches with your foot for convenient, hands-free operation. They use air pressure to turn circuits on or off, keeping live electrical circuits away from work areas. Use the three-prong outlet to plug a device directly into the switch.

With Three-Prong Outlet
No. of Circuits Controlled	Switch Starting Position	Switch Action	No. of Terminals	Industry Designation	Switching Current @ Voltage	Dia.	Lg.	Wd.	Ht.	Guard Material	Includes		Each
1	1 Off (Normally Open)	Springs Back (Momentary)	2	SPST-NO	15 A @ 120 V AC	3 3/4"	__	__	1 1/2"	__	10 ft. Tubing	0000000	000000
1	1 Off (Normally Open)	Stays Switched (Maintained)	2	SPST-NO	15 A @ 120 V AC	3 3/4"	__	__	1 1/2"	__	10 ft. Tubing	0000000	00000
With Three-Prong Outlet and Guard
1	1 Off (Normally Open)	Springs Back (Momentary)	2	SPST-NO	15 A @ 120 V AC	__	6"	6 1/2"	4 11/16"	Plastic	10 ft. Tubing	0000000	00000
1	1 Off (Normally Open)	Stays Switched (Maintained)	2	SPST-NO	15 A @ 120 V AC	__	6"	6 1/2"	4 11/16"	Plastic	10 ft. Tubing	0000000	00000

Build-Your-Own Air-Actuated Foot Switches

Combine a foot-pedal actuator with a switching mechanism to build a complete switch that allows for convenient, hands-free operation. These switches use air pressure to turn circuits on or off, keeping live electrical circuits away from work areas.

Actuators

Lg.	Wd.	Ht.	Tube ID	Tube OD	Material	Environmental Rating	Includes		Each
5 5/8"	4 1/8"	1 3/4"	1/8"	1/4"	Plastic	IP02	6 ft. Tubing	0000000	000000
6"	3 5/8"	1 7/8"	1/8"	1/4"	Metal	IP02	6 ft. Tubing	0000000	000000

Switching Mechanisms

No. of Circuits Controlled	Switch Starting Position	Switch Action	No. of Terminals	Industry Designation	Switching Current @ Voltage	Quick-Disconnect Tab Wd.	Specifications Met		Each
1	1 Off (Normally Open) or 1 On (Normally Closed)	Springs Back (Momentary)	3	SPDT	21 A @ 250 V AC	0.25"	CE Marked, CSA Certified, UL Listed, UL 508	0000000	000000
1	1 Off (Normally Open) or 1 On (Normally Closed)	Stays Switched (Maintained)	3	SPDT	21 A @ 250 V AC	0.25"	CE Marked, CSA Certified, UL Listed, UL 508	0000000	00000
2	2 Off (Normally Open) or 2 On (Normally Closed)	Springs Back (Momentary)	6	DPDT	21 A @ 250 V AC	0.25"	UL Listed, UL 508	0000000	00000
2	2 Off (Normally Open) or 2 On (Normally Closed)	Stays Switched (Maintained)	6	DPDT	21 A @ 250 V AC	0.25"	CE Marked, CSA Certified, UL Listed, UL 508	0000000	00000

Air-Actuated Relays

Also known as an air-to-electric switch, this relay converts an air signal to an electric signal. Use it to actuate solenoid valves and other electric components from your pneumatic control system.

				Air Connection						Conduit Connection
Number of Terminals	Switching Current @ 240V AC	Max. Switching Voltage	Air Pressure, psi	Pipe Size	Thread Type	Gender	Ht.	Wd.	Dp.	Trade Size	Thread Type	Gender		Each
1 Circuit Controlled with 1 Off (Normally Open) or 1 On (Normally Closed)—SPDT
3	15A	250V AC	8-100	1/8	NPT	Female	3.6"	1"	3.1"	1/2	NPSM	Female	00000000	0000000

Air-Pressure-Actuated HVAC Switches

Often used to detect clogged air filters and iced air conditioner coils, these switches sense small changes in pressure between two points in your duct.

Diaphragm Sensor
Setpoint, in. of H2O	Accuracy, in. of H2O	Temperature Range, °F	Current	Electrical Connection Type	Switch Type	Max. Pressure, psi	Low Pressure Side Connection	High Pressure Side Inside Connection	High Pressure Side Outside Connection		Each
0.05-5	0.025	-40° to 165°	2.9 A @ 240 V AC 5.8 A @ 120 V AC	Hardwire	SPDT	1	1/8 NPT Female	1/8 NPT Female	1/2 NPSM	000000	0000000
0.05-5	0.04	-40° to 165°	4.9 A @ 240 V AC 9.8 A @ 120 V AC	Hardwire	SPDT	1	1/8 NPT Female	1/8 NPT Female	1/2 NPSM	000000	000000

Airflow-Actuated HVAC Switches

Use this switch to sense changes in airflow velocity in duct. The paddle extends into the duct and actuates the switch when airflow reaches the setpoint. Switch is rated NEMA 3R for protection from dirt, falling liquids, and light splashing.

							Paddle
Setpoint, fpm	Temperature Range, °F	Current	Electrical Connection Type	Switch Type	For Conduit Trade Size	Knockout Dia.	Material	Ht.	Wd.	For Use Outdoors	Environmental Rating	Specifications Met		Each
Paddle Sensor
350-500	32° to 104°	10 A @ 240 V AC 16 A @ 120 V AC	Screw Terminal	SPDT	1/2	7/8"	Stainless Steel	6 7/8"	3 1/8"	Yes	IP43, NEMA 3R	UL Listed, C-UL Listed, CE Marked	0000000	0000000