55033 Littelfuse 55033 Heavy-Duty SPDT Toggle Switch (Momentary On-Off-On)

Littelfuse Cole Hersee 55033 Series — SPDT, 3-Blade, Standard 17.46 mm Handle for Rugged Panel Controls Overview

The Littelfuse 55033 is part of the brand’s Standard Heavy Duty Toggle Switch family—an established range built for reliable control in vehicles and equipment that live in punishing environments. In the 55033 configuration, you get a single-pole, double-throw (SPDT) contact set with momentary On – Off – momentary On action (Up-Center-Down). That momentary action in both directions makes the 55033 ideal for spring-return tasks such as motor jog/reverse, lift/lower, extend/retract, and other momentary control functions where operators shouldn’t be able to leave the circuit latched.

Mechanically, the switch uses a standard 17.46 mm (≈0.687″) toggle handle and a plastic housing with a plated-steel cap, balancing robustness with cost-effective weight and corrosion resistance. Electrically, the series is rated for 25 A at 12 V DC, 15 A at 24 V DC, and 10 A at 36 V DC, with silver contacts chosen for long-term performance where oxidation and vibration are realities rather than exceptions. The 55033 mounts through a 15/32″ (11.90 mm) panel hole using a nickel-plated brass face nut, delivering a familiar, serviceable installation for dashboards, consoles, and control panels across mobile and stationary platforms. (See series overview and ratings on page 1 and ordering table on page 2 of the datasheet.)

Two standard orderable variants cover packaging preferences:

• 55033-01 (bulk)

• 55033-01-BX (boxed)

Both share the same electrical and mechanical configuration—SPDT circuitry, momentary On-Off-momentary On positions, standard handle length, and 3 blade terminals for quick connection in harnessed assemblies. (Ordering table, page 2.)

This combination of rugged mounting hardware, corrosion-resistant silver contacts, and spring-return actuation makes the 55033 a dependable choice for on-equipment controls in construction, agriculture, material-handling, and commercial vehicle applications. The form factor also drops into a vast installed base: a 15/32″ bushing and a standard toggle silhouette ensure fit with common panel cutouts, boots, and legend plates across fleets and OEM platforms.

Key features at a glance

• Momentary in both directions: Up and Down return-to-center action for safe, operator-attended controls.

• Heavy-duty ratings: 25 A @ 12 V DC, 15 A @ 24 V DC, 10 A @ 36 V DC across the Standard Heavy Duty Toggle Switch series.

• Corrosion-resistant contacts: Silver contacts enhance life and reliability in harsh environments.

Specifications

The following consolidates model-specific details for 55033-01 / 55033-01-BX with series-level mounting and rating data from the Standard Heavy Duty Toggle Switches datasheet.

Notes on use and integration

1. Momentary safety — Because both Up and Down positions are momentary, circuits are energized only while an operator holds the lever. This is commonly preferred for reversible motors (winches, wipers, lifts) and hydraulic valve jog controls where unintentional continuous operation must be avoided.

2. Blade terminals — The 3-blade configuration streamlines service and retrofit work using common quick-connects. It also reduces wiring time in harness build compared to screw terminals, while remaining field-friendly for replacement.

3. Harsh-duty design — The combination of a plated-steel cap, nickel-plated mounting hardware, and silver contacts helps resist corrosion and contact deterioration in damp, salty, or dusty environments typical of off-road and vocational fleets.

4. Panel standardization — With the 15/32″ bushing and standard handle length, the 55033 drops into existing cutouts and works with common toggle boots and guards. This minimizes panel rework for fleet conversions or cross-brand replacements.

Applications

Because of its spring-return behavior and heavy-duty ratings, the Littelfuse 55033 is a natural fit for operator-attended functions where motion or power should stop the moment the operator lets go. Typical use cases include:

• Directional motor control with center-off
  Examples: extend/retract actuators, raise/lower lifts, open/close hatches, jog conveyors, and positioning tables. The SPDT contact set and center-off behavior simplify H-bridge or relay logic when combined with appropriate reversing relays.

• Vehicle accessory jog controls
  Examples: snowplow angle/tilt, dump-bed gate jog, lift-gate inching, utility body drawer locks, and aerial device stow/unstow. The quick-connect blade terminals speed up upfits and field replacements in commercial vehicles.

• Wiper, wash, or momentary pump control
  For intermittent or “wash-on-demand” circuits, a spring-return switch ensures the pump or motor runs only as long as the operator holds the toggle.

• Test and service panels
  Maintenance technicians frequently use momentary toggles to pulse power, jog actuators, or simulate discrete inputs during diagnostics.

Why choose the 55033 over a latching SPDT?

When operators must remain present (and alert) during motion, momentary control is safer by design. A latching On-Off-On switch can be inadvertently left in an energized state; by contrast, the 55033’s spring-return mechanism demands intentional, continuous input, which naturally reduces the chance of overshoot, entrapment, or drive damage. It also gives more tactile feedback during fine positioning—particularly helpful for hydraulic valves or gear motors where small, controlled nudges matter.

Wiring considerations (general guidance)

• 3 blade terminals provide a common (COM) and two throws (typically labeled NO/NC or simply the two switched outputs). In many reversible-motor scenarios, each momentary “On” throws to a separate relay coil or H-bridge input to reverse polarity or direction.

• Observe the DC rating for your system voltage (12/24/36 V DC). If your load approaches the switch’s current rating, use the 55033 only as a control-level input to a power relay or contactor—this extends switch life and adds arc suppression at the power stage.

• Use proper panel hardware and a matching boot (if needed) to improve environmental resistance in cab or exterior panels. Ensure the 15/32″ (11.90 mm) hole is cleanly cut and panel thickness is within the typical up-to-1/4″ (6.35 mm) range for the bushing length. (Series mounting and user-provided thickness data.)

Selection and part numbering

• 55033-01 — bulk packed, SPDT, momentary On-Off-momentary On, plastic housing with plated steel cap, standard 17.46 mm handle, 3 blade terminals.

• 55033-01-BX — identical to 55033-01 but supplied in a boxed package.

Advantages for OEMs and fleet maintainers

• Drop-in standard: The 15/32″ mounting and standard lever length align with a wide ecosystem of panel accessories and legacy cutouts, reducing re-engineering during redesigns or supplier changes.

• Serviceability: Blade terminals enable quick swap-outs; the robust metal cap and face nut resist rounding or galling during repeated service events.

• Proven platform: The 55033 inherits the same core construction used across numerous models in the Standard Heavy Duty series, which have been fielded broadly in commercial and off-highway equipment.

Compliance & quality notes

While the datasheet focuses on mechanical and electrical characteristics rather than formal compliance marks, Littelfuse’s commercial vehicle products are engineered for demanding duty cycles with material choices (silver contacts, plated-steel cap, nickel-plated hardware) that support longevity in real-world conditions. For designs requiring specific environmental or ingress ratings, pair the 55033 with appropriate toggle boots/guards and validate the complete assembly to the target standard.

Ordering & availability

• Base numbers: 55033-01 (bulk), 55033-01-BX (boxed)

• Family: Standard Heavy Duty Toggle Switches (Cole Hersee brand by Littelfuse)
  Consult Littelfuse or authorized distributors for inventory and lead times. For dimensional drawings, panel layout, and 2D prints, Littelfuse provides web resources linked from the datasheet.

Summary

The Littelfuse 55033 is a momentary On-Off-momentary On, SPDT toggle switch with a standard 17.46 mm lever, 3 blade terminals, and a plastic housing with a plated-steel cap. It mounts through the 15/32″ panel hole that technicians see everywhere and carries heavy-duty DC ratings suitable for direct control of moderate loads or for driving power relays and valve coils. If your application calls for operator-attended, spring-return control in a harsh environment—think fleets, off-highway, and industrial equipment—the 55033 delivers dependable performance with simple, serviceable installation.

Source: Littelfuse “Standard Heavy Duty Toggle Switches” datasheet