Detect the fault before it becomes a risk with the new IX NAMUR
Date: 31/03/2026
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On a construction site, inside a special vehicle, or in a handheld control unit, operators rarely think about the button they press, until it fails. The most dangerous situation is not a button that stops responding. It is a button that still sends a signal while the electrical path is compromised. Dust can enter a panel, vibrations can loosen a connection, moisture can change resistance, and a cable can break internally. In all these cases, a conventional pushbutton may still produce an electrical state that the system interprets as valid. The machine then reacts to a command that was never actually given, or fails to react to a critical one.
In safety-related controls, that ambiguity becomes a risk. The IX NAMUR pushbutton was designed to remove that uncertainty. It does not only survive harsh environments, it actively helps the control system determine whether the signal it receives is trustworthy. Instead of being a passive interface between operator and machine, it becomes part of the machine’s safety awareness.
What is the IX NAMUR?
The IX NAMUR is a waterproof pushbutton engineered for hazardous environments where mechanical stress and electrical reliability must coexist. It combines three essential functions in a single compact component:
Environmental protection
Mechanical durability
Electrical diagnostics
Focus on the NAMUR function
The IX NAMUR integrates a normally open NAMUR circuit designed to make electrical faults detectable. Instead of providing only a binary signal, the pushbutton generates identifiable electrical states. Two resistors are placed in series and in parallel with the switch. By monitoring the resistance level, the electronic control unit can differentiate between a normal actuation and abnormal conditions such as a short circuit or a cable disconnection.
This prevents one of the most dangerous failure modes: the system interpreting a faulty signal as a valid command. Since functional safety regulations require hazardous failures to be detectable, NAMUR technology offers a simple hardware-level method to improve reliability and support compliance without adding complex electronics.
Key features for more reliability
Front panel sealing (IP67/IP69K)
Customizable design
Strong tactile feedback
Smooth elastomer actuation
The elastomer actuator absorbs shocks and vibration while maintaining a precise actuation feel, allowing operators to confirm activation even when wearing gloves or operating machinery in motion.
Why choose the IX switch with NAMUR function?
Reliable operation in harsh conditions
Ensures consistent operation in dust, water, frost, and vibration thanks to IP67/IP69K sealing and a flexible elastomer actuator.
Early detection of electrical faults
Detects disconnections, short circuits, and abnormal signals to prevent dangerous failures and simplify troubleshooting.
Intuitive feedback
Provides clear tactile response and customizable visual identification for safe, error-free operation, even with gloves or in complex panels.
A pushbutton built for demanding use
The IX NAMUR is intended for equipment where both durability and failure detection are essential.
In special vehicles, controls integrated into joysticks or armrests must remain reliable while exposed to continuous vibration and weather conditions. The pushbutton maintains consistent feedback while simultaneously allowing the electronic system to monitor wiring integrity.
In construction equipment, exposure to dust, impacts, and pressure washing is routine. The sealed elastomer interface prevents contamination while the NAMUR circuit prevents hidden electrical faults that could otherwise remain undetected.
In handheld controllers and belly boxes, cables experience repeated bending and mechanical stress. These applications benefit particularly from the ability to detect disconnections early, preventing unsafe or unpredictable machine behavior during remote operation.
Expert’s perspective
With the new IX NAMUR pushbutton, we wanted to combine the rugged mechanical design of the IX series with the diagnostic capability of NAMUR technology. In harsh environments where vibration, moisture, or cable stress are common, a conventional pushbutton may still generate a signal even if the wiring is compromised. By integrating a defined resistor network inside the product, the IX NAMUR allows the control system to monitor current levels and detect faults such as cable disconnection or short circuits, making the pushbutton an active contributor to functional safety.
Christophe Moreau – Product Manager
Try IX NAMUR today!
Try the IX NAMUR firsthand and see how its NAMUR function and rugged design improve reliability in your application.
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