How To Choose A Push Button Station

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What to Check Before Choosing a Push Button Station

Before selecting a specific model, define the requirements of the control circuit rather than starting with the appearance of the station.

The most important factors are:

Control function
Button and contact configuration
IP protection level
Electrical rating
Conductor size
Enclosure dimensions
Installation environment
Required optional features

This approach helps avoid choosing a station that has the correct button arrangement but an unsuitable electrical rating, protection level, or physical size.

Choose the Button and Contact Configuration

The first selection decision is the control function.

A simple application may require one start or stop button, while a machine control point may need a combined start/stop arrangement. Emergency-stop functions require additional consideration because the button configuration must be integrated into the machine’s overall safety circuit.

For the KRIPAL 56 Series, the available configurations include single-button and combination stations.

Single Start Button

The 56PB is a single-button start control station.

It is suitable when the control point only needs a start command, such as starting a pump, motor, compressor, or other equipment through the appropriate control circuit.

Single Stop Button

The 56PBS is a single-button stop control station.

It can be used where a dedicated stop command is required. The exact circuit arrangement should always be determined by the equipment’s control design.

Emergency-Stop Configuration

The 56PBS1 uses a red mushroom-style button with twist reset and is intended for emergency-stop applications.

An emergency-stop device should not be selected based only on button color or appearance. The complete machine safety circuit, stopping method, reset procedure, and applicable safety requirements must be considered when designing the installation.

Stop-Only Mushroom Button

The 56PBS2 provides a stop-only configuration with a red mushroom-style button and twist reset.

This makes it useful where a prominent stop function is required at the control point. Whether it can serve as part of an emergency-stop function depends on the overall safety circuit and applicable requirements.

Start/Stop Combination

The 56/2PB combines a green start button and a red stop button in one station.

This configuration is useful when operators need both commands at the same control location, reducing the need for separate enclosures.

Start/Stop with Emergency-Stop Configuration

The 56/2PBS1 combines a green start button with a red mushroom emergency-stop button.

It can provide both normal machine control and an emergency-stop control point in a single enclosure, subject to the requirements of the complete machine safety system.

The key point is that button count should follow the required control functions, not simply the number of operations an operator might perform.

Select the Right IP Protection

The installation environment is the next major consideration.

A push button station installed indoors in a relatively clean control area has different requirements from one mounted near pumps, processing equipment, outdoor machinery, or areas exposed to dust and water.

The KRIPAL 56 Series is rated IP66.

IP66 provides a high level of enclosure protection against dust ingress and powerful water jets. This makes the series suitable for applications where the control station may be exposed to wet, dusty, or dirty operating conditions.

Typical applications can include:

Pumps
Saws
Compressors
Lathes
Processing equipment
Processing lines
Other industrial machinery

However, the IP rating of the complete installation depends on more than the enclosure itself.

Cable Entry Matters

A properly rated enclosure can lose its intended protection if the cable entry is not correctly installed.

When installing a push button station, the cable gland or cable-entry method should be compatible with the cable and enclosure and installed according to the manufacturer’s requirements.

The same principle applies to covers, gaskets, and other sealing interfaces. IP66 should therefore be considered as an installation requirement, not simply a number printed on the product specification sheet. For related outdoor switching applications, KRIPAL also supplies outdoor waterproof switches.

Check the Electrical Ratings

Electrical ratings are one of the most important differences between a general push button description and a proper product selection process.

For the KRIPAL 56 Series, the product specifications include:

Rated conventional free-air thermal current (Ith): 10 A
Rated insulation voltage (Ui): 250 V
AC-15 utilization category: 6 A at 240 V
DC-13 utilization category: 8 A at 24 V
Conductor terminal size: 1–4 mm²

These values should not be treated as interchangeable.

For example, the 10 A Ith value is not the same as saying that every control circuit can be switched at 10 A under every operating condition. The applicable utilization category and operating voltage need to be considered when matching the switch to the actual circuit.

For control circuits, AC-15 and DC-13 ratings are particularly relevant because they describe utilization conditions associated with control equipment.

Therefore, when selecting a push button station, compare the product’s electrical ratings with the actual voltage, current, and load characteristics of the control circuit.

Consider Cable Size and Termination

Cable compatibility is another practical selection factor that is sometimes overlooked.

The KRIPAL 56 Series supports conductor sizes from 1 mm² to 4 mm² according to the product specification.

This range should be checked against the cable used in the installation before the station is specified.

The correct conductor size depends on the electrical circuit, installation requirements, and applicable electrical standards. The push button station should be able to accommodate the selected conductors without creating unnecessary installation difficulty.

This is especially important in industrial control panels and field installations where cable routing and termination space can affect installation time.

Check Enclosure Dimensions and Installation Space

A station may have the correct electrical and functional specifications but still be unsuitable if there is insufficient installation space.

The KRIPAL 56 Series models use compact enclosure dimensions, but the height varies between configurations.

The dimensions should be checked against the available mounting surface, cable routing space, and surrounding equipment.

This becomes particularly important when replacing an existing control station. A new station may have similar electrical characteristics but a different enclosure height or cable-entry arrangement.

Match the Application to the KRIPAL 56 Series

Once the control function, environment, electrical requirements, cable size, and installation space have been established, selecting the model becomes much easier.

A simple selection process can look like this:

Need a start function? → Consider 56PB.

Need a dedicated stop function? → Consider 56PBS.

Need an emergency-stop configuration? → Consider 56PBS1, subject to the complete safety-system requirements.

Need a stop-only mushroom configuration? → Consider 56PBS2.

Need normal start and stop in one enclosure? → Consider 56/2PB.

Need start plus an emergency-stop configuration? → Consider 56/2PBS1.

All six configurations provide IP66 protection, with the electrical specifications based on the 56 Series product data.

KRIPAL 56 Series Selection Table

Model	Configuration	Dimensions (mm)
56PB	Single start	107 × 101 × 79
56PBS	Single stop	107 × 101 × 112
56PBS1	Emergency stop	107 × 101 × 89
56PBS2	Stop-only mushroom configuration	107 × 101 × 89
56/2PB	Start + stop	107 × 101 × 112
56/2PBS1	Start + emergency stop	107 × 101 × 89

The series also has an AC-15 rating of 6 A at 240 V and a DC-13 rating of 8 A at 24 V, with terminals accommodating 1–4 mm² conductors.

This table is useful when comparing models because it separates the selection decision into the parameters that actually affect installation.

Model	Main Function	IP Rating	Ith	Ui	Dimensions
56PB	Start	IP66	10 A	250 V	107 × 101 × 79 mm
56PBS	Stop	IP66	10 A	250 V	107 × 101 × 112 mm
56PBS1	Emergency stop	IP66	10 A	250 V	107 × 101 × 89 mm
56PBS2	Stop-only mushroom configuration	IP66	10 A	250 V	107 × 101 × 89 mm
56/2PB	Start + stop	IP66	10 A	250 V	107 × 101 × 112 mm
56/2PBS1	Start + emergency stop	IP66	10 A	250 V	107 × 101 × 89 mm

Consider Optional Configurations

The KRIPAL 56 Series can also be specified with optional features.

Adding LE after the model number indicates a configuration with a smaller enclosure LED. For example, the corresponding model designation can be specified with the LE suffix where this option is required.

Adding RO after the model number indicates the resistant orange configuration. For example, 56PBS1RO identifies the resistant orange version of the 56PBS1 configuration.

These options should be considered after the basic control function and electrical/environmental requirements have been established.

A Practical Push Button Station Selection Checklist

Before placing an order or specifying a push button station, confirm the following:

1. What function is required?

Start, stop, start/stop, or emergency-stop-related control?

2. How many buttons are needed?

Choose the simplest configuration that provides all required operator functions.

3. What contact arrangement does the circuit require?

Confirm the required contact configuration from the equipment control schematic rather than selecting solely by button color.

4. What environmental protection is required?

For wet, dusty, or dirty industrial environments, check whether IP66 is appropriate.

5. What are the actual electrical conditions?

Check operating voltage, current, and applicable utilization category rather than relying only on the Ith value.

6. What cable size will be used?

Confirm that the station’s terminals accommodate the selected conductor size.

7. Will the enclosure fit?

Check dimensions and available mounting and cable-entry space.

8. Are optional features required?

Consider LED or resistant orange configurations where appropriate.

This checklist can prevent a common purchasing mistake: selecting a product based only on the number or color of buttons while overlooking the electrical and installation requirements.

FAQ

What should I consider when choosing a push button station?

Start with the required control function, then check the contact configuration, IP protection, electrical ratings, conductor size, enclosure dimensions, and any required options. The correct model is the one that satisfies the complete installation requirements.

Is IP66 suitable for industrial push button stations?

IP66 provides protection against dust ingress and powerful water jets and can be suitable for many wet, dusty, or dirty industrial environments. However, the complete installation must maintain the intended protection, including appropriate cable entries and sealing.

What is the difference between Ith and AC-15 or DC-13 ratings?

Ith is the rated conventional free-air thermal current, while AC-15 and DC-13 are utilization categories associated with control-circuit switching conditions. They should not be treated as equivalent ratings. The actual circuit voltage, current, and load type should be compared with the appropriate rating.

Which KRIPAL 56 Series model should I use for start and stop control?

The 56/2PB combines a green start button and a red stop button in one station. If the application also requires an emergency-stop configuration, the 56/2PBS1 provides a green start button together with a red mushroom emergency-stop button.

What conductor size can the KRIPAL 56 Series accept?

The 56 Series terminals accommodate conductors from 1 mm² to 4 mm² according to the product specification. The actual conductor size should still be selected according to the electrical circuit and applicable installation requirements.

Are all KRIPAL 56 Series models IP66?

Yes. The listed 56 Series button control station configurations are specified with an IP66 protection rating. The installation must still be completed correctly to maintain the intended enclosure protection.

How to Choose a Push Button Station: Contacts, IP66 Rating, and Electrical Specifications