Focusrite Isa illuminated push button switch? Who makes them?

GroupDIY Audio Forum

Help Support GroupDIY Audio Forum:

This site may earn a commission from merchant affiliate links, including eBay, Amazon, and others.

elskardio

Well-known member
Joined
Sep 29, 2010
Messages
660
Location
Montreal - Canada
Hi Guys,

anyone know who makes the illuminated push button switch for the Focusrite Isa series?

I've been looking everywhere and I can't find anything similar.

Thanks

isa828channel8.jpg
 
E Switch makes a bunch of different types.....

like these

https://www.e-switch.com/product-catalog/pushbutton/product-lines/d16-series-illuminated-pushbutton-switches

Not sure if you've checked them out....

Maybe some dimensions could help narrow it down for anyone not familiar with the Focusrite to add  help.....
 
I‘m pretty sure they‘re made by EAO. Could it be this one?
https://www.mouser.com/ProductDetail/EAO/19-431035?qs=2pKMaj72wiF%2F8smYrHEAFw%3D%3D
 
weiss said:
I‘m pretty sure they‘re made by EAO. Could it be this one?
https://www.mouser.com/ProductDetail/EAO/19-431035?qs=2pKMaj72wiF%2F8smYrHEAFw%3D%3D
Thanks for the info.

That's exactly the switch used in the Red series.

red1.png


But the new Isa series uses a smaller cap. EAO switches can be ordered without the cap. Focusrite probably had one made for them...


Scratch that... it's the same switch. The cap is 7.3mm but the switch is mounted behind the front panel.

Thanks
 
elskardio said:
Thanks for the info.

That's exactly the switch used in the Red series.

red1.png


But the new Isa series uses a smaller cap. EAO switches can be ordered without the cap. Focusrite probably had one made for them...


Scratch that... it's the same switch. The cap is 7.3mm but the switch is mounted behind the front panel.

Thanks

Yes thats what i thought as well
 
Hey guys, quick question, has anyone fitted these before? Is it a quick swap out or is soldering required? ISA 430
(quite a novice, I have soldered before but many years ago)
 
Thanks for the info.

That's exactly the switch used in the Red series.

red1.png


But the new Isa series uses a smaller cap. EAO switches can be ordered without the cap. Focusrite probably had one made for them...

Scratch that... it's the same switch. The cap is 7.3mm but the switch is mounted behind the front panel.

Thanks
Hey, did you end up fitting this switch in your ISA? trying to find out if it was a simple process
 
These are called out as an 8mm pushbutton switch, primarily used in HMI interfaces for automated manufacturing and CNC machine tool control panels.
Brands: ITW-Licon, Omron A3D series, EAO 19 series, NKK HB series and a relatively new Asian maker, but their MOQ is 1000-3000pc min per part# unless you can find a Alibaba seller who will do piece pricing, (expect the switch "manufacturer name" to be different for each seller of course).
Most manufacturers supply these switches in 8, 12 & 16mm (round mounting hole diameter, not the switch cap size), round, square and rectangular button shape with momentary or maintained contacts. EAO also offered push-on connectors (wired and PC mount)

NOTE: Each vendors mechanical and electrical pinout arrangement varies so they are often NOT directly mechanical or electrical compatible.
EAO has the widest range of contact options, but only provide 2 switch contacts in SPST config with at least four contact configs to choose from, where ITW, NKK and the Asian mfg offer a standard SPDT on 3 pins.
All leds are standard T-1 type with slip-in contacts, so you can replace them easily, but will need to provide an external ballast resistor for appropriate brightness. The Asian mfg leds are a proprietary molded slip-in led cassette that contain internal resistors for specific voltages (6, 12, 24v...) and are AC/DC compatible (internal bridge). If you design these into your gear, make sure to spec an easy to find led/switch format for future maintenance (a few spec sheets attached).

I replaced about 2400 switches on the BOP Focusrite console and a great many on various vintage ISA rackmount channels. They have a limited lifespan due to their extremely thin plastic bodies and age much faster if they are in gear with elevated internal temperatures or are used often.
If you have to service a vintage ISA module with these switches, be VERY careful around their panel/controls wiring. After about 5 years the controls-to-PCB jumper wires often become stiff & brittle, and any movement while replacing another switch or pot can easily fracture several nearby switch bodies at the metal ferrules that secure them to the front panel. Heavily used switches will often break at the dress ring, just under the pushbutton cap. In heavy use expect to replace these switches every 6-10 years, (United Recording,s Focusrite is now being re-switched for the fourth time since its install in the early 90's).

Except for the Asian mfg and EAO, all others have discontinued this switch type over the last 20 years or so and yes,... EAO pricing is very painful. Also note that with EAO, you often have to order the switch body, led and button cap as separate items.
You might find a few of the more affordable NKK left in vendor stock as they only discontinued them about two years ago, but cap/led colors and contact types may be very limited. I think I bought the last 200 from Mouser and Digikey in 2022, but I am sure more can be located with enough digging.


Additional data: Not all ISA range gear uses these switches. The late model ISA front panel segment pictured earlier in this thread may actually be a CIT LPH series or E-switch WBL series (as Scott2000 pointed out) illuminated PC mount pushbutton.
 

Attachments

  • NKK_HB-illum-8mm.pdf
    594.6 KB
  • Omron-A3D-PB-Broch.pdf
    936.1 KB
  • EAO_MC_19_Main-Catalogue_EN.pdf
    1.1 MB
  • WBLIllumMini-F-PB-spec.pdf
    686.3 KB
  • LPH-illum-mini-F-PB.pdf
    262.7 KB
Last edited:
Back
Top