Overhead cranes and hoists repeat the same cycle thousands of times: lift, travel, position, lower. Every cycle depends on a small layer of control devices — the foot switch the operator uses to inch a load into place, the limit switches that stop travel at the end of the runway, and the lights and alarms that warn everyone working below. When one of these low-cost devices fails, the crane stops, and so does the production line underneath it.
An overhead crane in a machinery plant — KACON foot switches, limit switches, tower lights and alarms form its control and warning layer.
KACON has manufactured industrial control components in Korea since 1955. This solution brings together our heavy-duty foot switches, limit switches, tower lights and buzzers and alarms into one matched control layer for crane and hoist builders, retrofit workshops and maintenance teams.
Hands are busy guiding the load. During final positioning, the operator often steadies the load or holds a tag line with one hand. Control has to work from the floor, by foot, and it has to survive boots, oil, water and dropped tools.
End-of-travel stops cannot be missed. Bridge, trolley and hoist motions rely on limit switches that may sit untouched for months and then must operate perfectly, every time, in dust and vibration.
People below need clear warning. A moving crane in a noisy hall needs both a visible status signal and an audible travel warning that cuts through background noise.
The environment is harsh. Metal dust, moisture, washdown and constant vibration shorten the life of underrated switches and unsealed devices.
The HRF-MD5 heavy-duty foot switch is built for floor-level crane and hoist control. Its aluminium die-cast housing and IPX7 protection stand up to wet, dirty workshop floors, and the 15A 250VAC rated contact handles demanding control circuits without an intermediate relay in many designs. For lighter auxiliary duties, the HRF-HD3NX offers single-stage momentary action with an SPDT (NO wired) circuit in an aluminium alloy housing rated IP54 — a practical choice for secondary motions and workshop hoists.
KACON HRF-MD5 heavy-duty foot switch
For bridge and trolley end positions and hoist limits, the KXL series limit switch provides a 1NO+1NC contact rated 12A at 250VAC, sealed to IP67, with a mechanical life of at least 10 million operations. Seventeen actuator types — plungers, roller levers, adjustable levers and spring rods — let the same switch body cover runway ends, trolley stops and hoist drum limits. Where the switch sits in a wet or washdown zone, the KXF sealed waterproof limit switch adds a fully sealed, pre-wired construction (IP67, AC-15 5A at 250V), so there is no field wiring inside a damp enclosure to corrode.
KACON KXL Series limit switch
KHS and KTD series tower lights mounted on the bridge or control cabinet show crane status at a glance — running, stopped, or fault — to operators and ground crew across the hall. For audible warning, the KSP series multi-tone alarms provide selectable tones (16 tones on the KSP-6, 4 tones on the KSP-4), so travel warning, start-up warning and fault alerts can each have a distinct sound that crews learn to recognise.
KACON KHS / KTD Series LED tower light with buzzer
KACON KSP-4 multi-tone buzzer
KACON HRF-HD3NX foot switch
| Application point | KACON device | Role | Key data |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hoist inching and floor-level control | HRF-MD5 foot switch | Hands-free start, stop and inching | 15A 250VAC, 1C contact, aluminium die-cast, IPX7 |
| Auxiliary foot control | HRF-HD3NX foot switch | Momentary control of secondary motions | SPDT (NO wired), IP54, aluminium alloy housing |
| Bridge and trolley end-of-travel | KXL limit switch | End position cut-off | 1NO+1NC, 12A 250VAC, IP67, ≥10M mechanical operations |
| Hoist limits in wet areas | KXF limit switch | Sealed upper/lower limit detection | IP67, AC-15 5A at 250V, pre-wired |
| Crane status indication | KHS / KTD tower lights | Run, stop and fault signalling | LED tower light range |
| Travel and start-up warning | KSP-6 / KSP-4 alarms | Audible warning in noisy halls | 16 / 4 selectable tones |
Fewer unplanned stops. Every device in this solution is rated with headroom for crane duty — high contact ratings, IP67 sealing where it matters, and long mechanical life — so the control layer stops being the weak link in the lifting cycle.
One supplier for the whole control layer. Foot switches, limit switches, tower lights and alarms from a single manufacturer simplify purchasing, spares holding and documentation for crane OEMs and maintenance teams alike.
Proven, certified range. KACON products carry international certifications including CE, UL, CSA, TUV, VDE, CCC and CQC, backed by more than 160 patents — the paperwork your export projects need, from one source.
Choose the limit switch actuator to suit the striker: roller levers for cam tracks at runway ends, plungers for direct axial stops, spring rods where alignment is imprecise.
Use sealed, pre-wired KXF switches wherever the limit position is exposed to water or washdown; keep standard KXL switches for dry runway and trolley positions.
Match the foot switch rating to the control circuit load, and select momentary action for inching duties so motion stops the instant the pedal is released.
Tell us your crane type, duty class and the control points you need to cover, and our team will help you specify the matching foot switches, limit switches and warning devices — or adapt standard models to your design. Contact KACON or browse the full Solution Proposal section for more application ideas.
