Allen-Bradley 800T vs. 800H Pilot Devices: How to Choose the Right Push Button, Selector Switch & Pilot Light

Allen-Bradley Bulletin 800T and 800H are the same 30 mm heavy-duty pilot device platform in two constructions: 800T is the metal, Type 4/13 (watertight/oiltight) line, and 800H is the corrosion-resistant plastic, Type 4/4X/13 line. They use the same panel cutout, the same contact blocks, and the same power modules and lamps. Both are current, actively produced product families. This guide covers what actually differs between them, how to read the catalog numbers, and what to check before ordering.

Specifications below are taken from Rockwell Automation publication 800-TD009 (30 mm Push Button Specifications, Bulletins 800T and 800H) and installation instruction 800T-IN004.

800T vs. 800H Comparison

Feature Bulletin 800T Bulletin 800H
Operator size / panel cutout 30 mm (1-13/64 in. / 30.6 mm hole) 30 mm (same 1-13/64 in. / 30.6 mm hole)
Construction Metal (die-cast) bushing and mounting ring Corrosion-resistant plastic (fiberglass-reinforced thermoplastic polyester bushing, mounting ring, and socket)
Enclosure rating Type 1/4/12/13 Type 1/4/4X/12/13
IEC degree of protection IP66/65 IP66/65
Contact blocks 800T-X series (shared) 800T-X series (shared)
Class I, Div. 2 option Yes — with explosion-protected, logic reed, or stackable sealed switch contact blocks Yes — same contact block options
Legend plates Aluminum, 800T-X series Plastic, 800H-W series
Line-exclusive devices Cylinder-lock selector switches, knob lever / wing lever / coin slot selectors, cluster pilot lights, 1–4 way toggle switches, selector push buttons, wobble stick, break-glass stations, glass pilot light lenses Booted push buttons and booted selector knobs, flip lever operators, stainless steel / fiberglass / glass polyester Type 4X enclosures
Typical use General industrial, machine tool, indoor panels where corrosion is not a concern Washdown, food and beverage, chemical, outdoor, marine, and other corrosive environments needing Type 4X

Decoding the Part Number

800T and 800H share one catalog number structure. The bulletin prefix is the protection rating, and the operator code that follows tells you the device type. On 800H, most operator codes carry an added R to identify the plastic version.

  • Bulletin prefix: 800T = metal, Type 4/13. 800H = plastic, Type 4/4X/13. 800TC / 800HC = same device with fingersafe terminal guards.
  • Non-illuminated push buttons: operator type + color + contact block. Operator: A flush, B extended, D mushroom (800H: AR, BR, DR, plus R for booted). Color: 1 green, 2 black, 3 orange, 4 gray, 5 white, 6 red, 7 blue, 9 yellow. Contact block: A = 1 N.O.–1 N.C., B = 2 N.O.–2 N.C., D1 = 1 N.O., D2 = 1 N.C. Example: 800T-A1A is a metal flush green push button with 1 N.O.–1 N.C.; 800H-AR1A is the plastic equivalent.
  • Pilot lights and illuminated push buttons: power module + illumination + voltage + lens color. Power module: P transformer, Q full voltage (800H: PR, QR). Add H for LED. Voltage code examples: 16 = 120V AC transformer, 24 = 24V AC/DC full voltage, 2 = 12…130V AC/DC universal LED. Lens color: R red, G green, A amber, B blue, C clear, W white, Y yellow. Example: 800T-P16R is a 120V transformer-type red pilot light; 800T-PH16R is the LED version; 800T-PT16R is push-to-test. Illuminated push buttons use the same codes with a head type letter, e.g. 800T-PB16R (extended head, no guard).
  • Selector switches: H = 2-position, J = 3-position, N = 4-position (800H: HR, JR, NR). Next digit is function: 2 maintained, 4 spring return from left, 5 spring return from right, then the contact block code. Example: 800T-H2A is a 2-position maintained selector with 1 N.O.–1 N.C.; 800H-JR2A is a plastic 3-position maintained selector.
  • Push-pull / E-stop: FX mushroom push-pull, FXT push-pull/twist release, TFX trigger-action E-stop (800H: FRX, FRXT, TFRX), followed by color and contact code. D4 = 1 N.C. late break, A1 = 1 N.O.–1 N.C. late break.

How to Choose: Common Scenarios

  • Replacing an existing device: Match the bulletin on the old device. An 800T panel stays 800T; an 800H panel stays 800H. Both fit the same hole, so this is a rating and appearance decision, not a cutout decision.
  • Washdown, corrosive, or outdoor application: Choose 800H. It carries the Type 4X corrosion-resistance rating; 800T does not. Booted 800H operators add protection against foreign material entering between the button and mounting ring.
  • Standard indoor industrial panel: Either line works. 800T's metal construction is the traditional choice for machine tool and general industrial panels; if the enclosure itself is only Type 4/12/13, 800H's 4X rating adds nothing.
  • Need a keyed selector, toggle, cluster light, or break-glass station: These are Bulletin 800T only. There is no 800H version.
  • Need a booted button, flip lever, or stainless / fiberglass station: These are Bulletin 800H only.
  • Class I, Division 2 location: Both lines qualify when built with explosion-protected, logic reed, or stackable sealed switch contact blocks, and only those block types may be used. Standard contact blocks void the Div. 2 rating.
  • Illuminated device: Confirm three things before ordering — power module type (transformer vs. full voltage), voltage code, and lens color. A 120V transformer unit (16) and a 120V full-voltage unit (10) are different devices.

Compatibility Caveats

  • Contact blocks are shared. All 800T-X series contact blocks (800T-XA, -XD1, -XD2, -XA2, etc.) mount on both 800T and 800H operators. Rockwell recommends stacking no more than two blocks deep.
  • Power modules and lamps are shared. 800T-N3xx power modules and 800T-N65 / 800T-N376x / 800T-N377x lamps are used across both lines.
  • Legend plates are line-specific. 800T uses aluminum 800T-X legend plates; 800H uses plastic 800H-W legend plates. Order the plate that matches the bulletin.
  • Mounting hardware differs. 800T uses an octagonal metal mounting ring (wrench 800T-N245); 800H pilot lights use a plastic ring (wrench 800H-N10). Trim washers and thrust washers are also line-specific (800T-N292/N293 vs. 800H-N148/N146).
  • Ratings depend on the enclosure. An 800H device only delivers Type 4X performance when mounted in a Type 4X enclosure. The device rating never exceeds the enclosure rating.
  • Panel thickness. Standard barrel devices in both lines mount in panels up to 1/4 in. (6.4 mm); thicker panels must be counterbored. Gasket count varies with panel gauge per the installation sheet.

FAQ

Q: Can I put an 800H push button in an existing 800T cutout?
A: Yes. Both are 30 mm operators using the same 1-13/64 in. (30.6 mm) panel hole. The 800H device will physically install in the same location.

Q: Is 800H a newer replacement for 800T?
A: No. They are parallel lines with different construction and ratings, and both are in current production. 800T is metal Type 4/13; 800H is corrosion-resistant plastic Type 4/4X/13.

Q: Do contact blocks interchange between 800T and 800H?
A: Yes. Both bulletins use the same 800T-X series contact blocks, power modules, and replacement lamps.

Q: Which one do I need for a NEMA 4X washdown panel?
A: 800H. Only the 800H line carries the Type 4X corrosion-resistance rating.

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