Limit Switches FAQ


Frequently asked questions and answers for Limit Switches - Industrial Automation


Limit Switch: Difference between WL01CA2 and WLCA2


Question


What is the difference between WL01CA2 Limit Switches and the WLCA2?


Answer


The "01" in WL01CA2 means that it is for microloads.


The "01" in WL01CA2 means that it is for microloads.




Limit Switch: Purchase WL Head Portion Only


Question


Is it possible to purchase only the head portion of WL Limit Switch?


Answer


Yes, replacements are available.


Head and Actuator


Example:


Set


WLCA2 Limit Switch


Head and Actuator


WL-1H1100 Limit Switch




Head without Actuator


The model numbers for Heads without Actuators are the model numbers for Heads with Actuators minus the numbers after WL-[]H.


Example:


Set


WLCA2 Limit Switch


Head and Actuator


WL-1H Limit Switch




Rotary Lever Actuators

Example:


Set


WLCA2 Limit Switch


Actuator


WL-1A100 Limit Switch





Limit Switch: Can Lever of General-purpose Model be Mounted on Expolosive-proof Model?


Question


Can the lever of a WL General-purpose Limit Switch be mounted on WLF2 Explosion-proof Limit Switch?


Answer


The lever can be mounted, but it can't be used for explosion-proof specifications. WLF2 is certified as explosion-proof as a whole with the lever.


Note:The WLF2 and WL levers each have different mounting bolt specifications (surface treatment).


Note:For use with explosion-proof specifications, mount the WLF2CA2 Lever as a replacement lever for the WLF2CA2.



Limit Switch: Change Actuator Mounting Position


Question

Can the mounting position of an actuator be changed?

Answer

The mounting position of a lever type actuator can be changed.


Applicable models


Roller Lever type


Adjustable Roller Lever type


Adjustable Rod Lever type


Fork Lock Lever type





Limit Switch: Make Bent Coil Spring Becomes Straight


Question

Can WLNJ Limit Switch be used so that a bent coil spring becomes straight after striking the dog?


Answer

Do not use the WLNJ this way. The spring may become deformed.



Limit Switch: When D5C Switches' Socket Unit is Grounded


Question

Is it OK to not ground the blue (black) lead wire if the socket unit of D5C Limit Switches is grounded?


Answer

No, it must be grounded. The socket unit and the lead wire are insulated, so the lead wires must be grounded.



Limit Switch: Replacing Actuator for WLNJ


Question

Is it possible to replace only the Actuator for WLNJ Limit Switches with a coil spring?


Answer

No, it is not possible to change only the Actuator. Use WL-9H100 Head (with integrated actuator).



Connectors for Limit Switch


Question

What connectors should be used for Limit Switches?


Answer

SC-series Limit Switch Connectors are available. Select the Connector according to the size of the conduit port and the external diameter of the cable to be used.


Connector for Cabtire Cable


Note:
1.Use SC-21 to SC-25 together with the rubber ring and conduit washer for the SC-P2.
2.It is necessary to use sealing tape with SC Connectors. SC-1M to SC-5M, however, are provided with an O-ring (NBR) and therefore sealing tape is not necessary to ensure a proper seal.


Dimensions and Structure (Unit: mm)
Connectors for Cabtire Cable

SC-P2 accessories and sealing tape must be used together with models without an O-ring in order to prevent ingress of oil or water.


Metal Models without O-ring
G1/2
SC-21 to 25


Metal Models with O-ring
G1/2
SC-1M to 5M


Metal Models without O-ring
1/2-14NPT
1/2-14NPT
SC-1PT to 5PT


Note:Dimensions not shown in the above diagrams have a variation of ±0.4 mm.
*Diameter of Part Marked with Asterisk




Simple Connectors (Not Suitable for Locations Subject to Oil or Water)


Resin Models
G1/2
SC-P2


Resin Models
Pg13.5
SC-P3


Resin Models
G1/2
SC-6


Note:Dimensions not shown in the above diagrams have a variation of ±0.4 mm.
*Diameter of Part Marked with Asterisk


SC-[]F[] FA Connectors

The SC-[]F[] is a snap-on connecting model that greatly reduces the time-consuming effort for wiring the Limit Switch. The SC-[]F[] is easily and quickly connected or disconnected and its degree of protection is IP67.




FA Connectors


Connecting Cables





Limit Switch: WLNJ and WLNJ-30


Question

What are the different uses for WLNJ Limit Switches and WLNJ-30 Limit Switches?


Answer
WLNJ:

Because the coil spring is a single wire, the rod flexes considerably. Use WLNJ when the arrival position of the sensing object fluctuates.
The flexibility of the rod, however, causes gaps to appear in the coil spring. These gaps may cause foreign matter to be caught or accumulate.


WLNJ-30:

The coil spring consists of three tightly wrapped wires, so there is almost no flexibility in the rod. Also, no gaps form in the coil spring.


Reference Information:
WLNJ:

WLNJ-30:


Limit Switch: Degree of Protection Against Water


Question

What degree of protection is provided against water?


Answer

Levels of protection are provided up to IP67.



Holding Limit Switches


Question

Are holding Limit Switches available?


Answer

Fork lever lock models are available.




Applicable models: WLCA32-41 Limit Switch, WLCA32-42 Limit Switch, WLCA32-43 Limit Switch



Mount Actuator onto Other Limit Switches


Question

Can the actuator of WL Limit Switch be mounted on other Limit Switches?


Answer

Lever actuators can be mounted on the following models.


Applicable models: HL Limit Switch, D4C Limit Switch, D4CC Limit Switch, D4AN Limit Switch


Note:The roller weight will increase when a large the WL lever roller or long lever is used.


Mounting these types of levers on the HL, D4C, or D4CC may result in reset failure. Use the Limit Switch with the lever mounted downward.



Limit Switch: Interchangeable Head


Question

Are the Heads for WL Limit Switch all interchangeable?


Answer

Some Heads are interchangeable and some are not.


WL-series Head Interchangeability




WL Limit Switches with Connectors


Question

Is WL Limit Switch available with connectors?


Answer

Models with directly attached connectors and models with pre-wired connectors are available.



XS2F Cable is used to connect to models with directly attached connectors and models with pre-wired connectors.



Limit Switch: Difference between Stainless Steel and Stainless Sintered Alloy


Question

What is the difference between the stainless steel and the stainless sintered alloy?


Answer
Stainless steel

It is made by cutting a block of stainless steel.


It is used for a roller of the spatter-prevention type limit switch because spatter hardly adheres to it.


Stainless sintered alloy

It is made by alloying stainless steel powders by applying pressure and heat in a mold. Stainless steel powders with oil soaked through their particles are used for a roller.


Roller abrasion and smear mark appear at the same time, and thus abrasion resistance of the roller is enhanced.



Limit Switch: Types of Conduit Openings


Question

What types of conduit openings of the Limit Switches are available?


Answer

The conduit opening is a hole to pull out a cable. The hole is threaded to fit a connector for fixing the cable.


This connector ensures mechanical fixation and sealing characteristics of the cable.


G1⁄2: Japanese type complying with JIS standard
Pg13.5: European type
1⁄2 14NPT: North American type
M20: European type (IEC approved)
Indication method of conduit threads (complying with JIS B 0202, 0203)

PF and PS are currently indicated in JIS. They are, however, prescribed in the Appendix, and will be discontinued when the JIS standard is reviewed.


Indication methods for other conduit threads

Nominal designations for Conduit Threads of switches for overseas use are indicated in a conventional manner without any change.


Just for reference, their indication methods are described below.


German Electrical Conduit Thread (DIN 40430)
Pg13.5

American Taper Conduit Thread (USAS B2.1)


Limit Switch for Outdoor Use


Question

Are Limit Switches available that can be used outdoors?


Answer

Note: Do not expose the Limit Switch directly to wind, rain, or sunlight.



WL Limit Switch: Color of Operation Indicator


Question

What color is the operation indicator of WL Limit Switches?


Answer

LED: Neon lamp
Red: Orange


Examples:

WLCA2-2LD "LD" is for the LED.
WLCA2-2LE "LE" is for the neon lamp



Limit Switch: Calculating Operating Force (OF)


Question

How do you calculate the operating force (OF) when changing the length of an adjustable roller lever in Limit Switches?


Answer

Use the following equation:
OF' = (OF x R)*/R'
*(OF x R): Fixed torque
Where OF is operating force, R is roller lever length, R' is the desired roller lever length, and OF' is operating force for the desired roller lever length.


For example, using the WLH12 Limit Switch with a roller lever length of 89 mm will result in the following OF':


(9.81 N x 38 mm)*/89 mm = Approx. 4.19N
*9.81 N: Standard OF
38 mm: Lever length for standard OF


In the above equation, the standard OF for a WLH12 with a roller lever length of 38 mm is 9.81 N (the OF listed in the datasheet), so the fixed torque is calculated as OF x R.


Dividing this by R' (89 mm in this example), which is the desired roller lever length, gives us the OF', which is the operating force for a Limit Switch with the desired roller lever length.



Limit Switch: Difference between One-side and Both-side Operation


Question

What is the difference between one-side operation and both-side operation in WL Limit Switches?


Answer

With one-side operation, Switches will only operate when the lever is pushed in one direction, left or right. They will not operate when it is pushed in the other direction. With both-side operation, Switches will operate when the lever is pushed in either direction.


One-side operation Switches operate as shown in the following figures.


One-side Operation for General-purpose and High-precision Switches

The output of the Switch will be changed, regardless of which direction the lever is pushed.


The output of the Switch will only be changed when the lever is pushed in one direction



Cam Direction Changing Procedure for Overtravel, 90° Operation Switches

Loosen the cam holder with a coin or screwdriver. Take out the cam from the Switch.


Change the direction of the cam as required by your intended operation and then reinstall the cam



Relationship of cam to operation as observed from the rear of Switch


Limit Switch: Difference between WL[][]-2 and WL[][]-2N


Question

What are the differences between WL[][]-2 Limit Switch and WL[][]-2N Limit Switch ?


Answer

The WL[][]-2 has a lever with 90 ° operation to each side, with one-side operation not possible, and a Head that can be mounted in four directions.


The WL[][]-2N has a lever with 90 ° operation to each side, with one-side operation possible, and a Head that can be mounted in two directions.


One-side operation means that three operational directions can be selected electrically, according to the change in the direction of the operating plunger or cam. The three selectable operational directions are "Operate and Operate," "Operate and Not Operate," and "Not Operate and Operate." The models for which one-side operation is not possible can only operate on both sides.



Limit Switch: NEMA A600 Type 3.4 and 13


Question

Is the inscription "NEMA A600 TYPE 3.4 and 13" on WL Limit Switches the model number?


Answer

No, it is not the model number. NEMA 600 expresses the rating code used in UL standards.



Limit Switch: Convert Grams to Newtons


Question

How can I convert grams (g) for force in the operating characteristic to Newtons (N)?


Answer

Use the following formula to convert kgf (kilogram-force) to N (Newtons):


1 kgf = 9.80665 N


Therefore, 1 N is equivalent to approximately 102 g.
1 gf to 1/102 N


Example: 140 gf to 1.37 N


The unit for force in the operating characteristics for switches was previously expressed mainly in gram-force (g-f). Presently, however, the unit Newtons (N) is used under the new Japanese Measurement Law that went into force in 1992.