Omron Z-15GQ-B — 15 A SPDT Panel-Mount Plunger Switch
SKU: Z-15GQ-BUSD 4.00
Z-series general-purpose basic switch, 15 A SPDT (COM/NO/NC), panel-mount plunger, medium operating position, 250-350 gf operating force, 10 million mechanical operations, screw terminals. Sold in industrial automation since the 1950s.
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Product Overview
The Z-15GQ-B is a panel-mount plunger basic switch from Omron's Z-series — the workhorse general-purpose snap-action switch that has been in continuous production since the 1950s and is the de-facto standard for machine builders worldwide. The switch carries a 15 A resistive load at 250 VAC (or 15 A at 125 VDC, 6 A at 30 VDC inductive), uses an SPDT (Single Pole Double Throw) contact set with one common, one normally-open, and one normally-closed terminal, and snaps between states with a precise 0.05 mm differential travel.
Where the Z-15GQ-B fits in the Z-series family
The Z-series splits along four axes: contact rating (15 = 15 A, 10 = 10 A, 01 = 0.1 A microload), sensitivity grade (G = standard 250-350 gf, H = high sensitivity 60-90 gf, E = low operating force 150 gf), actuator type (Q = panel mount plunger, Q22 = panel mount roller plunger, W = hinge lever, etc.), and operating position (Q = medium OP 1.6-2.0 mm from mounting face, Q3 = low OP ~0.7 mm, Q8 = high OP ~2.5 mm).
Wiring, mounting, and the panel-mount body
The Z-15GQ-B has three screw terminals on the rear face: COM (common, typically the middle terminal), NO (normally-open), and NC (normally-closed). Wire the load in series with the COM and NO terminals for a normally-open contact that closes when the plunger is depressed, or wire COM and NC for a normally-closed contact that opens when the plunger is depressed. Use M4 ring terminals or fork terminals on the wire ends and tighten the M4 screw terminals to 0.6-0.8 N·m torque — over-tightening will crack the terminal block.
Common pitfalls and when NOT to use the Z-15GQ-B
Three pitfalls engineers hit with the Z-15GQ-B. First, the switch is IP00 — there is no protection against dust or water ingress. For washdown, outdoor, or dusty applications, use the D4B-4111N or D4B-4116N sealed safety limit switch (IP67) instead, or fit a rubber boot over the Z-15GQ-B plunger (Omron offers Z-A15-B boot kit). Second, the 15 A rating is for resistive loads only — for inductive AC loads (solenoids, motor contactor coils) derate to 6 A, and for inductive DC loads (relay coils, solenoids) derate even further because DC arcs do not self-extinguish at current zero.
Key Features
- Z-series general-purpose basic switch, in production since the 1950s
- 15 A rated contact current at 250 VAC / 125 VDC
- SPDT — COM, NO, NC terminals
- Panel-mount plunger body with hex-nut retention
- Medium operating position 1.6 to 2.0 mm from mounting face
- Operating force 250 to 350 gf
- Release force 114 gf minimum
- Pretravel 0.4 mm, overtravel 5.5 mm, differential travel 0.05 mm
- SKU: Z-15GQ-B
- Series: Z (General-purpose basic switch)
Best-Fit Applications
- Door interlock switch on a control cabinet — confirms the cabinet door is closed before allowing high voltage
- Limit switch position on a linear slide or pick-and-place axis — detects end-of-travel
- Cam-actuated index position sensor on a rotary indexing table — uses Z-15GQ22-B roller plunger sibling for cam applications
- Conveyor pallet-detect station — plunger depressed by the pallet passing over
Buying Checklist
- Pick Z-15GQ-B for a 15 A SPDT panel-mount plunger basic switch with medium operating position
- Pick Z-15GQ3-B for low operating position — early contact closure
- Pick Z-15GQ8-B for high operating position with field-adjustable plunger
- Pick Z-15GQ22-B for a panel-mount roller plunger — for cam-actuated applications
- Pick Z-15HQ-B for 60-90 gf high-sensitivity variant — low-force actuators
- Pick Z-15EQ-B for 150 gf low operating force variant — for delicate cam profiles
Technical Specifications
| Model | Z-15GQ-B |
|---|---|
| Series | Z (General-purpose basic switch) |
| Type | Basic switch, panel-mount plunger, SPDT |
| Contact Configuration | SPDT (COM / NO / NC) |
| Rated Load (Resistive) | 15 A at 250 VAC / 15 A at 125 VDC |
| Rated Load (Inductive) | 6 A at 250 VAC (cos φ = 0.4) |
| Operating Force (OF) | 250 to 350 gf |
| Release Force (RF) | 114 gf minimum |
| Terminal Type | M4 screw |
| Mounting Hole Pattern | 25.4 mm centres (M4 with plane washer) |
| Body Mounting Thread | M12 × 0.75 (panel-mount hex nut) |
| Operating Temperature | -25 to +80 °C |
| IP Rating | IP00 (no environmental protection) |
| Dimensions (Body) | Approx. 49.2 × 17.45 × 24.2 mm (without plunger) |
| Certifications | UL, CSA, CCC, CE |
Resources & Downloads
FAQ for Z-15GQ-B
What's the difference between Z-15GQ-B and Z-15GQ?
The Z-15GQ-B is the modern full-specification variant of the basic Z-15GQ. Mechanically and electrically they are nearly identical — same 15 A contact rating, same 250-350 gf operating force, same SPDT contact set, same panel-mount body. The -B version has slightly improved terminal marking, a tighter tolerance on the operating force window, and updated agency certifications (UL, CSA, CCC, CE on the -B version).
What is the maximum current the Z-15GQ-B can switch?
15 A resistive at 250 VAC or 15 A resistive at 125 VDC. For inductive AC loads (solenoids, contactor coils, motor windings), derate to 6 A at 250 VAC. For inductive DC loads, derate further — the Z-15GQ-B is rated for 6 A at 30 VDC inductive, and DC arcs do not self-extinguish at current zero so contact life drops rapidly with DC inductive loads.
Is the Z-15GQ-B waterproof or dustproof?
No — the Z-15GQ-B is IP00 rated, meaning it has no protection against dust or water ingress. The switch body has open screw terminals on the rear and a plunger opening on the front.
Can the Z-15GQ-B be used as a safety switch?
No — the Z-15GQ-B is a basic switch, not a safety-rated switch. It does not have positively-driven (force-guided) contacts, it is not certified to EN 60947-5-1 or ISO 13849-1, and it does not have the redundancy and monitoring features required for safety functions.
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