MICRO SWITCH Hazardous Area Switches
BX | BX2 Series
002306
Datasheet
Issue 8
FEATURES
DESCRIPTION
The MICRO SWITCH BX/BX2 Series are designed for
applications in hazardous or explosive environments requiring
a rugged, durable switch virtually anywhere in the world. To
comply with explosion-proof switching requirements, the
flame path within the switch housing is designed to contain
and cool escaping hot gases and fumes that could cause
an explosion outside of the switch. Regardless of where the
equipment or machinery is designed, built, or installed, BX and
BX2 Series products carry global agency coverage.
Honeywell offers two versions of the BX series switch: the
standard BX Series features an aluminum housing, while
the BX2 series features a 316L stainless steel housing. The
stainless steel housing adds additional resistance against
corrosion in applications exposed to aggressive, caustic
agents, as well as those often present in chemical processing
plants, off-shore/near-shore sites, and other hazardous
areas. Both products are weather sealed for outdoor use and
designed for explosive gas/dust environments. All operating
heads of the BX/BX2 Series are field adjustable at 90°
increments.
• Approvals: UL, CSA, ATEX (CE), IEC Ex, INMETRO (Brazil),
NEPSI Ex (China), KOSHA (select listings - Korea), and EAC
(formerly GOST-R, Russia)
• Sealed to IP67, NEMA 1, 3, 4, 6, 13
• Industry-leading breadth of products
• Two rugged designs are available: aluminum or corrosion-
resistant stainless steel head and body
• A diaphragm seal between head and body provides an extra
measure of protection
• Optional fluorocarbon seals are available for harsh chemical
or higher temperature environments
• Secure head-to-body retention with the head in any one of
four positions 90° apart
• Self-lifting pressure plate terminals saves wiring time.
• Wide variety of non-sparking actuators, switch options, and
head styles for design flexibility
• Rotary actuated heads are field adjustable for CW actuation,
CCW actuation, or both to reduce inventory
• Choice of silver or gold-plated contacts
APPLICATIONS
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Grain elevators
Control valves and actuators
Off-shore and on-shore drilling
Pipelines
Petrochemical and chemical plants
Water treatment plants
Paint booths
Conveyors (above-ground)
Pulp and paper
Hazardous waste handling
VALUE TO CUSTOMERS
DIFFERENTIATION
• Top-of-the-line environmental sealing combined with
Honeywell expertise for hazardous location package design
provides the right product for the right application
• Exclusive teller tab on levers ensures proper torque. When
the tab cannot be moved, the lever is tight enough to prevent
slippage
• Around-the-world use in hazardous areas with international
approvals: UL, CSA, ATEX (CE), IEC Ex, INMETRO, KOSHA,
NEPSI Ex (China), and EAC (formerly GOST-R, Russia)
• Industry-leading breadth of product offering that includes:
BX (aluminum housing) and BX2 (stainless steel housing)
limit switches for hazardous locations
• 303 stainless steel operating shaft on sintered bronze
bearing for enhanced mechanical life and operational
reliability
PORTFOLIO
Honeywell offers a wide range of limit switches in different size
packages and hazardous environments. These limit switches
include the BX/BX2 Series, CX Series, EX Series, LSX Series,
GXS Series, and 14CE100 Series. To view the entire product
portfolio, click
here.
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MICRO SWITCH Hazardous Area Switches, BX | BX2 Series
Figure 1. MICRO SWITCH BX Series Features and Options
The MICRO SWITCH BX2 limit switch has similar features, except a 316L stainless steel head and body without epoxy coating.
Sintered, bronze bearings
enable longer operating life
and increase resistance in
corrosive environments
Field adjustable operating head
(CW and CCW, CW or CCW)
matches switch to application
Boss-and-socket
head design for secure
head-to-body retention
Twin shaft seals for an extra measure
of environmental protection
Dual bearings deliver
enhanced mechanical life
Rugged aluminum head and body
are phosphate treated
and epoxy coated
External ground screw for agency
compliance. Internal ground screw
provided on all products for
agency compliance
Flurosilicone seals
extend operating temperature
down to -40 °C [-40 °F]
Two flame
paths: one in
the cover-housing
threads; another
between the switch
cavity and head
0.5 in, 0.75 in or 20 mm
conduit options
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MICRO SWITCH Hazardous Area Switches, BX | BX2 Series
Figure 2. MICRO SWITCH BX Series Product Nomenclature
BX
Switch Type
Conduit Threads
½ or ¾ NPT**
F
Head Style*
3K
Body/Basic
Switch Code
Actuator
Modification
–
Actuator
Options
roller,
1A
* nylonmount1.5 in radius,
front
roller,
1C
* nylonmount1.5 in radius,
back
Fixed Ø 0.75 in x 0.25 in W
Fixed Ø 0.75 in x 0.25 in W
Adjustable, Ø 0.75 in x
Adjustable, Ø 0.75 in x
BX
Series
Aluminum
Hazardous
Area
Limit Switch
BX2
Series
Stainless
Steel
Hazardous
Area
Limit Switch
A
*
B
C
*
D
*
E
*
F
*
H
*
J
K
L
*
M
*
N
*
P
*
R
*
V
W
Side rotary;
momentary
Top rotary;
momentary
Top pin plunger,
momentary
Top roller plunger,
momentary
Side pin plunger;
momentary
Side roller plunger;
momentary
Side rotary, momentary;
low PT, low torque
Wobble stick
Cat whisker
Side rotary;
sequential, momentary
Side rotary;
central neutral,
momentary
Side rotary;
maintained
Side rotary, momentary;
low PT and DT
Side rotary, momentary;
low torque
Top pin plunger,
adjustable, momentary
Side pin plunger,
adjustable, momentary
1A
1E
3E
3K
∆
3NC/1NO, slow acting,
3/4 -14 NPT
3NC/1NO, slow acting,
3/4 -14 NPT
gold-plated contacts
1NC/1NO, snap action,
1/2 -14 NPT
gold-plated contacts
1NC/1NO, snap action,
1/2 - 14 NPT
1NC/1NO, snap action,
3/4 - 14 NPT
2NC/2NO, snap action,
3/4 - 14 NPT
2NC/2NO, snap action,
2NC/2NO, snap action,
center neutral,
3/4 - 14 NPT
2NC/2NO, snap action,
3/4 -14 NPT
gold-plated contacts
2NC/2NO, snap action,
sequential, 3/4 -14 NPT,
gold-plated contacts
2NC/2NO, snap action,
center neutral, 3/4 -14 NPT,
gold-plated contacts
2NC/2NO, snap action,
1/2 - 14 NPT
2NC/2NO, snap action,
center neutral,
1/2 - 14 NPT
2NC/2NO, snap action,
1/2 -14 NPT
gold-plated contacts
2NC/2NO, snap action,
sequential,1/2 -14 NPT,
gold-plated contacts
2NC/2NO, snap action,
center neutral, 1/2 -14 NPT,
gold-plated contacts
1
2
3
4
5
6
8
CW rotation
CCW rotation
Right-oriented actuator
head assembly
Left-oriented actuator
head assembly
Head assembled with
actuator to
mounting surface
Roller perpendicular
to mounting surface
Roller parallel to
mounting surface
4
20 mm
** see Body/Basic
Switch Code column
NOTE: if 1/2 NPT or
3/4 NPT conduit is
desired, no code is
necessary. Leave-
blank.
If conduit code “4”
in this column is
selected, conduit in
Body/Basic Switch
column does not
apply.
2A
* 0.25 in W nylon roller.
front mount
2C
* 0.25 in W nylon roller.
2J
2K
3S
4K
4L
4M
sequential, 3/4 - 14 NPT
4N
4S
4T
4U
∆
∆
∆
∆
∆
back mount
Adjustable, Ø 1.0 in x
0.5 in W nylon roller,
front mount
Adjustable, Ø 1.0 in x
0.5 in W nylon roller,
back mount
Yoke, Ø 0.75 in x
0.25 in W nylon rollers,
same side, back mount
Hub rod,
aluminum
Offset, Ø 0.75 in x
0.25 in W nylon roller,
back mount
Offset, Ø 0.75 in x
0.25 in W nylon roller,
front mount
Plastic wobble
stick
Cat whisker,
5.5 in
4M
5A
5C
7A
8A
7L
7N
7S
7T
7U
∆
Not available with conduit code 4.
* BX2 stainless steel “head styles” and “actuators” available
To order fluorocarbon versions, insert the additional letter
C
in the appropriate places in the standard
catalog listing, as shown below:
BXA3K
BXAC3K
standard, side-rotary switch
completely FC-sealed version of BXA3K
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MICRO SWITCH Hazardous Area Switches, BX | BX2 Series
Table 1. Specifications
Characteristic
Parameter
Product type
MICRO SWITCH hazardous area limit switches
Side pin plunger
Side rotary
Top pin plunger - adjustable
Wobble - cat whisker
Side pin plunger - adjustable
Side rotary maintained
Top roller plunger
Wobble - plastic rod
Side roller plunger
Top pin plunger
Top rotary
Actuators
Circuitry
1NC 1NO SPDT snap action, double break
2NC 2NO DPDT snap action, double break
2NC 2NO DPDT snap action, double break, sequential
2NC 2NO DPDT snap action, double break, center neutral
3NC 1NO slow action, double break
10 A thermal
Single and double pole: AC15 A600; DC13 R300 (see table on page 5)
Aluminum (BX) or Stainless Steel (BX2)
0.5 in - 14 NPT conduit
0.75 in - 14 NPT conduit
20 mm conduit
BX/BX2 non-plug-in
NEMA 1, 3, 4, 6, 13; IP67
Standard with fluorosilicone seals: -40 °C to 70 °C [-40 °F to 158 °F]
Optional with fluorocarbon seals: -12 °C to 70 °C [10 °F to 158 °F]
II 2 GD, Ex d IIC T6 Gb, Ex tb IIIC T85°C Db
302119
302119 Switches and controls and relays
Electrical
Housing material
Termination types
Housing type
Sealing
Operating temperature*
ATEX/IEC Ex protection
class
UNSPSC code
UNSPSC commodity
* Reference operating head styles on page 6 for exceptions.
Table 2. Agency Certifications
ATEX (CE)
2
Europe
CSA , UL, or
cULus
3
Canada, USA
IEC Ex
1
International
KOSHA
Korea
NEPSI EX
2
China
INMETRO
2
Brazil
EAC
4
Russia
(formerly
GOST-R)
®
Conduit
BX Series
(aluminum)
BX2 Series
(stainless
steel)
1
2
M20
NPT
M20
NPT
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ATEX & IEC Ex: II 2 GD; Ex d IIC T6 Gb; Ex tb IIIC T85°C Db; Ta -40 °C to 70 °C or -12 °C to 70 °C (dependent on seal material)
NEPSI Ex: GYJ111016
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CSA, cUL, UL: NEMA 7 (Gas) Div 1&2, Class I, Groups B, C, & D; NEMA 9 (Dust) Div 1&2, Class II, Groups E, F, & G
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Russia Custom Union Certification per
НАНИО «ЦСВЭ» РОСС
RU.0001.11ГБ05; 1Ex d IIC T6 Gb X, Ex tb IIIC T85°C Db
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MICRO SWITCH Hazardous Area Switches, BX | BX2 Series
MICRO SWITCH BX and BX2 Series Electrical Ratings
10 A continuous carry; ac Volts; Pilot Duty: AC15, A600
Electri-
cal
Rating
AC15,
A600
Cir-
cuitry
Vac
Amps at 0.35
Power Factor
Make
60
30
15
12
Amps at 0.35
Power Factor
Break
6
3
1.5
1.2
DPDT
Double Break
Switch Contact Styles, Double Break
SPDT (1NC/1NO)
DPDT (2NC/2NO)
120
SPDT
DPDT
240
480
600
SPDT
Double Break
MICRO SWITCH BX and BX2 Series Electrical Ratings
dc Volts; Pilot Duty: DC13, R300
Electri-
cal
Rating
DC13,
R300
Cir-
cuitry
SPDT
DPDT
Vdc
Make & Break
Amps
Inductive
0.25
0.15
Make & Break
Amps
Resistive
0.8
0.4
Center Neutral (SPDT each direction)
Pole 1 operates CCW; Pole 2 operates CW
120
240
MICRO SWITCH BX and BX2 limit switches are capable of the
following low voltage dc loads
Circuitry
SPDT, DPDT
Vdc
24
Amps
Inductive
10
Amps
Resistive
10
NOTE: Same polarity each pole
Low Temperature Limits
For all MICRO SWITCH BX/BX2 styles, the upper temperature limit is 70 °C [158 °F], while the lower temperature limit is per the table below.
MICRO SWITCH BX/BX2
Standard (Fluorosilicone)
Optional (Flurocarbon Sealed)
-12 °C [10°F]
-1 °C [30 °F]
Operating Head Styles
BXA, BX2A - Side Rotary Momentary
BXB - Top Rotary
BXC, BX2C - Top Pin Plunger
BXD, BX2D - Top Roller Plunger
BXE, BX2E - Side Pin Plunger
BXF, BX2F - Side Roller Plunger
BXH, BX2H - Side Rotary, Low Pretravel and Torque
BXJ - Wobble Stick
BXK - Cat Whisker
BXL, BX2L - Side Rotary, Sequential Operation
BXM, BX2M - Side Rotary, Center Neutral
BXN, BX2N - Side Rotary, Maintained
BXP, BX2P - Side Rotary, Low Pretravel
BXR, BX2R - Side Rotary, Low Torque
BXV - Top Adjustable Plunger
BXW - Side Adjustable Plunger
-40 °C [-40°F]
-29 °C [-20 °F]
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