# 12V DC Application **URL:** \ **Category:** Switches\ **Tags:** e-switch, pushbutton-switches\ **Created:** [January 4, 2026, 6:51pm UTC](https://forum.digikey.com/t/12v-dc-application/63809 "2026-01-04T18:51:53Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 14\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![jwebhale](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ecc23a/32.png) [@jwebhale](https://forum.digikey.com/u/jwebhale)\ **Post date:** [January 4, 2026, 6:51pm UTC](https://forum.digikey.com/t/12v-dc-application/63809/1 "2026-01-04T18:51:53Z")
Will the [PB1973GBLKGILEF4-ND](https://www.digikey.com/en/products/detail/e-switch/PB1973GBLKGILEF4/3777977) Switch work in a 12V DC automotive application. | | | --- | ---
**Author:** ![Karl\_1696](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/9de0a6/32.png) [@Karl\_1696](https://forum.digikey.com/u/Karl_1696)\ **Post date:** [January 5, 2026, 2:47pm UTC](https://forum.digikey.com/t/12v-dc-application/63809/2 "2026-01-05T14:47:58Z")
You could use it but you would be better off with a DC switch. ---
**Author:** ![Steven\_14444](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/digikey/user_avatar/forum.digikey.com/steven_14444/32/47465_2.png) [@Steven\_14444](https://forum.digikey.com/u/Steven_14444)\ **Post date:** [January 5, 2026, 4:27pm UTC](https://forum.digikey.com/t/12v-dc-application/63809/3 "2026-01-05T16:27:12Z")
Also note that the illumination voltage for this switch is 24VDC. ---
**Author:** ![jwebhale](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ecc23a/32.png) [@jwebhale](https://forum.digikey.com/u/jwebhale)\ **Post date:** [January 5, 2026, 6:30pm UTC](https://forum.digikey.com/t/12v-dc-application/63809/4 "2026-01-05T18:30:27Z")
Steven, I’m just a novice. So if the switch is rated for 24 volt DC, if I use it on a 12 volt DC what would be the difference? Maybe the light would be different? I think the switches will work fine on 12 volt DC? ---
**Author:** ![jwebhale](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ecc23a/32.png) [@jwebhale](https://forum.digikey.com/u/jwebhale)\ **Post date:** [January 5, 2026, 6:36pm UTC](https://forum.digikey.com/t/12v-dc-application/63809/5 "2026-01-05T18:36:53Z")
I thought the PB1973GBLKGILEF4 switch was a DC switch. ---
**Author:** ![Steven\_14444](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/digikey/user_avatar/forum.digikey.com/steven_14444/32/47465_2.png) [@Steven\_14444](https://forum.digikey.com/u/Steven_14444)\ **Post date:** [January 5, 2026, 6:53pm UTC](https://forum.digikey.com/t/12v-dc-application/63809/6 "2026-01-05T18:53:38Z")
The switch is rated for 250V AC, typically the supplier will list a DC voltage for a switch if the internal contacts are rated for AC and DC. The voltage for the light is 24VDC. This is a higher voltage than the 12VDC that is normally found in an automotive application. ---
**Author:** ![jwebhale](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ecc23a/32.png) [@jwebhale](https://forum.digikey.com/u/jwebhale)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2026, 4:34pm UTC](https://forum.digikey.com/t/12v-dc-application/63809/7 "2026-01-09T16:34:30Z")
This PB1973GBLKGILEF4 switch’s illumination is 24V DC. I applied 12V DC to it, but it did light up. Is this normal? ---
**Author:** ![jwebhale](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ecc23a/32.png) [@jwebhale](https://forum.digikey.com/u/jwebhale)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2026, 4:41pm UTC](https://forum.digikey.com/t/12v-dc-application/63809/8 "2026-01-09T16:41:09Z")
If this PB1973GBLKGILEF4 switch that I have will not illuminate on 12V DC, then do you have a switch that is DPST code E or G and a LED code 3 (12V). ---
**Author:** ![Steven\_14444](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/digikey/user_avatar/forum.digikey.com/steven_14444/32/47465_2.png) [@Steven\_14444](https://forum.digikey.com/u/Steven_14444)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2026, 5:24pm UTC](https://forum.digikey.com/t/12v-dc-application/63809/9 "2026-01-09T17:24:48Z")
There is a resistor in the switch which allows the LED to be powered as 24VDC. The current draw for the LED would change with the lower voltage. ---
**Author:** ![jwebhale](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ecc23a/32.png) [@jwebhale](https://forum.digikey.com/u/jwebhale)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2026, 11:45pm UTC](https://forum.digikey.com/t/12v-dc-application/63809/10 "2026-01-09T23:45:53Z")
That resistor would have to be changed to enable the 12 volt to work on this switch. Is that right? ---
**Author:** ![Steven\_14444](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/digikey/user_avatar/forum.digikey.com/steven_14444/32/47465_2.png) [@Steven\_14444](https://forum.digikey.com/u/Steven_14444)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2026, 2:15pm UTC](https://forum.digikey.com/t/12v-dc-application/63809/11 "2026-01-12T14:15:15Z")
If the resistor could be changed, which it can’t be, it would allow the full brightness of the LED light on the switch. The PB1973GBLKGILEF4 is from a series of switch that only has a rating for AC voltage. While the push button functions with a 12VDC supply, it is outside of the scope the manufacture has set for the switch. ---
**Author:** ![jwebhale](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ecc23a/32.png) [@jwebhale](https://forum.digikey.com/u/jwebhale)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2026, 1:43pm UTC](https://forum.digikey.com/t/12v-dc-application/63809/12 "2026-01-13T13:43:19Z")
Thanks, Steven. So that the same switch with a 3 on the end of the part number, which is rated for a 12 volt DC LED, would not work either? ---
**Author:** ![Steven\_14444](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/digikey/user_avatar/forum.digikey.com/steven_14444/32/47465_2.png) [@Steven\_14444](https://forum.digikey.com/u/Steven_14444)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2026, 2:29pm UTC](https://forum.digikey.com/t/12v-dc-application/63809/13 "2026-01-13T14:29:33Z")
I think that we are getting hung up on the voltage for the LED. The LED powers up with 12VDC, even though it is designed for use with 24VDC, it just halves the amount of current getting to the LED. The switch can work for your application, but you can’t use the reliability information in the datasheet for your application, because you are using the switch with DC voltage when it is designed for AC voltage. ---
**Author:** ![jwebhale](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ecc23a/32.png) [@jwebhale](https://forum.digikey.com/u/jwebhale)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2026, 11:04pm UTC](https://forum.digikey.com/t/12v-dc-application/63809/14 "2026-01-13T23:04:50Z")
OK, thanks. Johnny Hale