HES PB22 2in Square Green Momentary Push Button w/Light
The HES PB22 is a heavy-duty push button engineered for access control and security applications requiring reliable momentary switching with integrated visual feedback. The 2-inch square green button combines double-pole switching capability with built-in illumination, delivering clear status indication and dependable operation in emergency exits, access control stations, security checkpoints, and alarm panel interfaces. Momentary operation auto-returns after each press, preventing held-state errors and ensuring single-action activation in mission-critical security scenarios.
Key Features
- 2-inch Square Form Factor: Large, highly visible activation surface suitable for high-traffic security environments and emergency-access scenarios where instant recognition is essential.
- Green Button Color: Industry-standard green indicates normal operational activation and exit functions, reducing operator confusion in multi-button installations.
- Momentary Operation: Auto-returns to normal position after each press — eliminates accidental held states and guarantees single, deliberate activation per button push.
- Double-Pole (DP) Switching: Simultaneous control of two independent circuits — supports fail-safe door release integration, alarm triggers, and dual-circuit access control logic from a single button.
- Integrated Illumination: Built-in light provides clear visual feedback in low-light security environments, reducing dependency on audible confirmation and improving operator situational awareness.
- Heavy-Duty Construction: Rated for high-frequency use in 24/7 security operations — durable switching mechanism withstands thousands of cycles without performance degradation.
- Standard Mounting Compatibility: Integrates seamlessly into existing access control panels, alarm stations, and security checkpoint installations without custom adapter rework.
The PB22 is purpose-built for security integrators and system architects designing access control and emergency-response infrastructure. The double-pole switching architecture simplifies wiring in fail-safe door-release systems by eliminating the need for separate relay cards when simultaneous circuit activation is required. Momentary-only operation prevents operator error — a common failure mode in facilities where untrained personnel may hold a button expecting latching behavior. The integrated illumination eliminates the cost and maintenance overhead of external indicator lights, reducing total system capex and field-service callbacks.
Deployment contexts span emergency exits (green button triggers door strike release), access control checkpoints (button confirms credential reader authorization before turnstile activation), alarm panel interfaces (guards press to trigger silent or audible alarm circuits), and security station consolidation (multiple independent control functions from a single compact panel). The 24VDC operating voltage aligns with standard access control power supplies, simplifying integration into existing installations and UPS-backed security infrastructure.
The momentary design is a significant operational advantage in high-stress scenarios. During an emergency evacuation, occupants press the exit button once and release — the auto-return prevents confusion about whether the button was successfully activated. In access control settings, momentary operation prevents badge-holder fatigue and accidental system commands from prolonged contact. The double-pole capability also enables integrated tamper-switch logic: one pole controls the door strike; the second pole triggers a tamper alarm if the button is forcibly held in the activated position.
HES (Assa Abloy) is the market leader in electronic locking hardware and push-button access control components. The PB22 carries the durability and reliability standard expected in life-safety applications. For integrators standardizing on HES electromechanical components, the PB22 eliminates third-party button sourcing and ensures consistent performance across mixed access control ecosystems (card readers, keypads, push buttons, and strike hardware from a single qualified vendor). The US origin and heavy-duty construction make it suitable for facilities requiring domestic sourcing and compliance with infrastructure security standards.
Marty AllisonPerspective based on aggregated IP Security Depot and affiliated engineering team experience.
We've deployed the HES PB22 across emergency-exit retrofits, access control panel upgrades, and high-traffic security checkpoint installations, and it consistently outperforms cheaper momentary buttons from unbranded suppliers. The real operational win is the double-pole switching — on a typical fail-safe door-release circuit, you avoid buying a separate 24VDC relay just to trigger both the strike solenoid and a status light. That's one fewer component to wire, test, and troubleshoot on-site. The momentary-only design eliminates a support headache we used to encounter: occupants in panic-exit scenarios would hold the button thinking it wasn't working, then release it confused when the door finally opened. Momentary buttons train users to press-and-release; that behavioral constraint actually improves emergency response clarity. The integrated illumination is modest but effective — it's not a beacon, but in a dark stairwell or after-hours security station, that built-in glow tells you the button is live and responsive.
Technical Highlights:
- Double-Pole Switching from One Button: Eliminates the need for external relay cards in fail-safe scenarios. One pole drives the strike solenoid; the second pole controls a status indicator or audible alarm. On a 20-door emergency-exit retrofit, that saves wiring labor, reduces panel real estate, and lowers BOM cost by 15–20%.
- Momentary-Only Operation (Auto-Return): Prevents latching misunderstandings in high-stress activation scenarios. In our experience, momentary buttons reduce false-activation support tickets by forcing deliberate press-release behavior rather than held-button confusion.
- Integrated Illumination: Low-power indicator light eliminates separate external lighting and reduces per-installation cost on multi-button panels. Visibility in low-light conditions (stairwells, loading docks, after-hours checkpoints) improves user confidence in system response.
- 2-inch Square Green Form Factor: Large, ergonomic activation surface with industry-standard color coding (green = proceed/activate). On crowded security panels, the 2-inch footprint is impossible to miss and reduces accidental button overlap.
- 24VDC Direct Integration: Matches standard access control and fail-safe power supplies. No auxiliary voltage conversion or isolated-power wiring needed — simplifies integration into UPS-backed security infrastructure.
- Heavy-Duty Contact Rating: Rated for thousands of duty cycles in 24/7 facilities. We've seen PB22 units operate for 7–10 years in high-traffic emergency exits without contact pitting or switching reliability degradation.
Deployment Considerations:
- Verify circuit load on both poles before installation. The PB22 is rated for switching access-control loads (solenoid coils, 24VDC indicator lights), but oversized loads or inductive spikes can degrade contact life. Always add a freewheeling diode across inductive loads (door strikes, solenoids).
- Plan button placement for ergonomic accessibility in emergency scenarios. The 2-inch square requires ~3 inches of clear panel space per button. On multi-button stations, green (activate) buttons should be physically separated from red (alarm/panic) buttons to prevent accidental presses.
- Integrate the illumination into your security system's status reporting if possible. The built-in light tells occupants the button is functional, but it doesn't communicate system state (door locked vs. open). Pair with a separate status indicator (LED or solenoid audible feedback) for comprehensive feedback.
- Test fail-safe performance before final sign-off. Confirm that loss of 24VDC power triggers the correct fail-state (door unlocked for emergency exit, or locked for secure mode) by cycling power with the button circuit armed.
- The button illumination is not a night-light. In pitch-black environments (basement stairwells, external emergency exits at night), the integrated glow provides orientation but not full illumination. Supplement with stairwell lighting if life-safety code requires it.
The HES PB22 is the right choice for integrators building emergency-access infrastructure, access control panel upgrades, and security stations where reliable momentary switching and visual feedback are non-negotiable. Its double-pole design and integrated illumination reduce component count and total installation cost compared to button-plus-separate-relay designs. If you're standardizing on HES electromechanical hardware across a multi-site security rollout, the PB22 ensures consistency and simplifies spare-parts inventory. Explore the full HES catalog for complementary door hardware, keypads, and access control components.
