Industrial crane control panels | wired control solutions

Wired pendant control stations for cranes and hoists with 2 to 8 pushbuttons: with emergency STOP, START, key switch or selector switch, single- or two-speed, IP54, IP55, IP56 and IP65 protection ratings. Below you will find selection tables, an explanation of IP ratings, recommended cables and LOTO safety rules.

Wireless remote controls ELCA remote controls Joystick Pushbuttons Ø22 mm Rubber cables Control and shielded cables LOTO

Read more

Wired crane pendant control stations – how to choose the right one

A wired pendant control station (pendant) is connected by cable to the control circuit of the lifting equipment and operates the contactors of a chain hoist, wire rope hoist or overhead crane. The right pendant depends on four things: how many motions need to be controlled, whether the motor is single- or two-speed, what environment it operates in (IP rating) and which safety elements are required – emergency STOP, START, key switch.

ℹ Selection ✓ Benefit ⚠ Check ⚡ Safety Cables LOTO

Quick selection by application

Application	What to choose	Models
Electric hoist – lifting and lowering only	2-button pendant	ESO2-12, ES-XDL10-EPB2F/NF
Hoist with emergency stop in the same pendant	2 buttons + twist-to-release STOP	ES-S54465
Hoist with electric trolley (4 directions)	4-button pendant	ESY4-174A, ES-XAC-A681
Overhead or jib crane – 6 directions	6 buttons + twist-to-release STOP	ESYS6-36F, ES-TNHA1-63C, ESYS6-3176A
Two-speed motor or variable frequency drive	Two-step (2-speed) pushbuttons	ES-61SF, ES-62FS, ES-63FS, ES-XAC-A6913
Outdoors, rain, hose-down cleaning	IP56 or IP65 (see IP table)	ESY5-176A, ESYS6-36F
Heavy fine dust: cement, wood, grain, flour	IP65 – fully dust-tight	ES-7MS, ES-8MSS, ES-XAC-A681
Equipment may only be operated by authorised personnel	Pendant with key switch	ES-TNHA1-X2713, ES-TNHA2-X2713
Main contactor needs to be switched on (START) and a mode selected	START / STOP + selector switch	ES-7MS, ES-8MSS, ES-TNHA1-X2714
Operator needs to move freely around the workshop	Wireless radio remote control	Wireless remote controls, ELCA remote controls

Pendant series in this category

Series	Buttons	IP	Contacts	Features	Models
Compact 2-button	2 (+ STOP, key switch or selector switch)	IP56 / IP65	5–10 A	For hoists and simple lifting devices; ESO2-12 – with mechanical button interlock; ES-XDL10 – with 2 m cable	ESO2-12, ES-XDL10-EPB2F/NF, ES-S54465, ES-TNHA1-X2714, ES-TNHA1-X2713, ES-TNHA2-X2713
Multi-function IP54–IP65	4 / 5 / 6	IP54–IP65	AC-15: 500 V – 2 A; 250 V – 5 A	Single-speed; some models with twist-to-release (latching) STOP; ESO6-32 – with mechanical interlock	ESY4-174A, ESY5-175T, ESY5-176A, ESO6-32, ESYS6-36F, ESYS6-3176A, ES-TNHA1-63C, ES-TNHA1-63G, ES-TNHA1-63H
2-speed IP54	6 + twist-to-release STOP	IP54	10 A, 380 V	Two-step pushbuttons, for indoor use	ES-XAC-A6913
IP65 with START / STOP	4 / 7 / 8	IP65	10 A	START and STOP, emergency stop, selector switch for mode or speed	ES-XAC-A681, ES-7MS, ES-8MSS
Heavy-duty IP55	3 / 5 / 7 + STOP	IP55	15 A, 500 V	Single- or two-speed versions – available for the same number of buttons	ES-61SF, ES-62F, ES-62FS, ES-63F, ES-63FS

ℹ All pendants switch the control circuit – the contactor coils – not the motor power circuit. The 10 A or 15 A rating is the conventional thermal current of the contacts (Ith), not the permissible motor current.

Wired crane pendant connection – schematic diagram

Schematic diagram: the pendant switches contactor coils, STOP is in series with the main contactor KM0 coil. Click to enlarge.

⚠ This diagram is for guidance only and may contain inaccuracies. Before connecting, check against the manufacturer's instructions and the device markings.
The qualified electrician carrying out the installation is responsible for it. UAB „Elektrotechnikos sprendimai“ accepts no liability for connections or possible errors.

IP protection ratings – what the numbers mean

The IP code consists of two digits. The first indicates protection against solid particles and dust, the second against water. A higher number does not always mean “better everywhere”: IP56 offers better protection against water, IP65 against dust.

IP rating	Dust (1st digit)	Water (2nd digit)	Suitable for
IP54	5 – dust-protected: a limited amount of ingress does not interfere with operation	4 – splashing water from any direction	Indoor workshops, warehouses, workshops without wash-down
IP55	5 – dust-protected	5 – water jets from a 6.3 mm nozzle	Production areas cleaned with a hose; under a canopy
IP56	5 – dust-protected	6 – powerful water jets from a 12.5 mm nozzle	Outdoor cranes, ports, construction sites, rain and intensive wash-down
IP65	6 – fully dust-tight	5 – water jets from a 6.3 mm nozzle	Cement, wood, grain, flour and metalworking environments with fine dust

⚠ The IP rating applies only if the cable entry is properly sealed. The cable diameter must match the sealing range of the cable gland, and the pendant cover gasket must be undamaged. A cable of the wrong diameter lets water and dust in – even into an IP65 pendant.

Key functions – how pendants differ

Function	How it works	When it is needed
Single-speed pushbutton	One contact – the motion runs while pressed and stops when released	Single-speed hoists and trolleys
Two-step (2-speed) pushbutton	First step – slow speed; pressed fully – fast speed	Two-speed motors or control via a variable frequency drive – precise load positioning
Twist-to-release (latching) STOP	Stays latched when pressed, released by twisting	For emergency stopping – disconnects the main contactor, the equipment does not restart by itself
START button	Switches on the main contactor after the STOP has been released	When the circuit includes a main (line) contactor
Mechanical button interlock	Prevents opposite directions from being pressed at the same time	Additional “up + down” protection; electrical interlocking via the contactors’ NC contacts is still mandatory
Key switch	Control is enabled only after turning the key	Prevents unauthorised persons from operating the crane
Selector switch	Mode switching	Selecting the hoist or trolley, choosing speed or mode

Pendant control cable – number of cores and cross-section

Number of cores = number of control signals + common wire + STOP / START circuit + protective earth core (PE), if required. Two-speed pushbuttons use two signals per direction, so almost twice as many cores are needed. For longer cables and higher mechanical loads, choose a larger cross-section.

Pendant	Cores	Cable
2 buttons (+ STOP), hoist	5–7	7×0.75–2.5 mm²
4 buttons + STOP, single-speed	7	7×0.75–2.5 mm²
6–8 buttons + STOP / START, single-speed	9–12	12×0.75–2.5 mm²
5–7 buttons, two-speed	12–18	12× or 18×0.75–1.5 mm²

Recommended cables

Type	When to choose	Recommended cables
Rubber H07RN-F 450/750 V, highly flexible	First choice for a suspended pendant. Outdoors, in cold conditions, where oil is present, and where the cable is constantly flexed and pulled.	H07RN-F 7×1,5 12× – on request All rubber cables
PVC control cable YSLY-JZ (OPVC-JZ), BVV-LL 300/500 V, flexible	Enclosed, dry rooms, moderate mechanical load. Cheaper than rubber, but stiffens in the cold.	BVV-LL 7G1,0 black, white BVV-LL 7G1,5 YSLY-JZ 7×2,5 YSLY-JZ 18×0,75, 18×1,5
Shielded LIYCY 300/500 V, copper screen	When the pendant sends low-current signals to PLC or variable frequency drive inputs (e.g. 24 V DC) and the cable runs alongside power cables and drives. The screen reduces electromagnetic interference.	LIYCY 7×0,34 Control and shielded cables

⚠ The cable must not carry the weight of the pendant. The pendant is suspended from a separate strain relief steel wire or chain, with the cable hanging in a loose loop. This prevents the cores from breaking at the pendant entry. 7×0.75 and 12×0.75–2.5 mm² cables are supplied on request – write to us.

⚡ Shielded LIYCY cable is intended for low-current signals. For contactor coil circuits, especially 230–400 V AC, use control or rubber cable with an adequate cross-section. Earth the screen according to the controller or drive manufacturer’s instructions.

⚠ What to check before buying

Parameter	What to check	Why it matters
Number of motions	How many directions are controlled: 2, 4 or 6	Determines the number of buttons and cable cores
Number of speeds	Single- or two-speed motor, or a variable frequency drive	A two-speed system requires two-step pushbuttons
Control voltage	Contactor coil voltage: 24 V, 48 V, 110 V, 230 V or 400 V AC	Must not exceed the rated voltage of the pendant contacts
Contact rating	AC-15 data, e.g. 250 V – 5 A, 500 V – 2 A	The higher the voltage, the lower the permissible current
IP rating	Outdoors or indoors, dust, wash-down	IP54 is not suitable for jet cleaning, IP56 is not suitable for fine-dust environments
Emergency STOP	Whether it is in the pendant and whether it latches	Emergency stop is mandatory for lifting equipment – in the pendant or separately
Cable entry	Sealing range of the cable gland	Determines whether the IP rating is maintained

✗ Most common mistakes

Mistake	Consequence
The motor power circuit is switched through the pendant instead of the contactor coils	Contacts burn, buttons “stick”, the load may move uncontrollably
Up / down contactors without electrical interlocking	Phase-to-phase short circuit, damaged motor or contactors
STOP wired to only one contactor instead of the main contactor	Emergency stop does not disconnect all motions
An IP54 pendant is used outdoors or washed down	Water in the contacts, uncontrolled operation, corrosion
The pendant hangs from its cable without a steel wire	Cores break at the entry – control is lost or becomes intermittent
Too few cable cores for a two-speed pendant	The second speed step does not work, the cable has to be replaced
Repairs carried out with only the STOP pressed or the key removed	⚡ The equipment remains energised – see the LOTO section below

⚡ Safe installation

⚡ The pendant must be installed and connected by a qualified electrician after the supply has been isolated and verified to be dead.
The pendant is connected to the contactor control circuit. The rated voltage and current of the contacts must match the control voltage.
The emergency STOP must disconnect the main contactor and stop all motions. The equipment must not restart by itself after the STOP is released.
Contactors for opposite directions are electrically interlocked with each other (via NC contacts), even if the pendant has a mechanical interlock.
Tighten the cable gland to suit the cable diameter; suspend the pendant from a separate strain relief steel wire.
Comply with the requirements for electrical equipment of hoisting machines (EN 60204-32) and the applicable electrical installation regulations.

LOTO – before crane and hoist repairs

A pressed STOP button or a removed pendant key is not safe energy isolation. They act only on the control circuit, while the motor, brake and supply line remain energised.

Stop the crane and lower the load.
Switch off the crane’s main isolator (incoming supply switch).
Lock it with a personal LOTO padlock and attach a warning tag. If several people are working, use a multi-lock hasp.
Verify that the equipment is de-energised, and only then start work.

Padlocks, hasps and tags – LOTO lockout devices. Other workplace safety products – occupational safety.

Alternatives and related components

What you need	Where to find it
Cable-free control, operator moves freely	Wireless industrial crane remote controls, ELCA wireless remote controls
Proportional joystick control from a cab or control desk	Joystick \| joysticks and accessories
Building your own control station or panel	Control pushbuttons Ø22 mm, contact blocks and accessories, pushbutton enclosures
Direction, main contactor, protection	Contactors and motor starters
End-of-travel limiting for hoisting and travel motions	Limit switches
Pendant cable	H07RN-F rubber cables, control and shielded cables 7× / 18×
Safe repairs	LOTO lockout devices
Complete crane control category	Hoists \| crane pendant controls \| hoist control

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between an IP56 and an IP65 pendant?

IP56 better withstands powerful water jets (outdoors, rain, wash-down), while IP65 is completely dust-tight (cement, wood, grain). Choose based on which is the greater hazard in your environment – water or fine dust.

Can the pendant be connected directly to the hoist motor?

No. The pendant controls the contactor coils, and the contactors switch the motor. The pendant’s 10 A or 15 A rating is the thermal current of the contacts, not the motor switching capacity.

When do I need a two-speed pendant?

When the hoist or crane has a two-speed motor or is controlled by a variable frequency drive. The first step of the button engages slow speed for precise positioning, the second step engages fast speed.

How many cable cores do I need?

For a 2-button hoist pendant or a 4-button pendant, 7 cores are usually sufficient (7×0.75–2.5 mm²). A 6–8-button pendant requires 12 cores; two-speed multi-button pendants require 12 or 18 cores.

Rubber, control or shielded cable?

For a suspended pendant, rubber H07RN-F is the best choice – it is flexible and resistant to cold and oil. PVC control cable (YSLY-JZ, BVV-LL) is suitable for indoor use. Shielded LIYCY is required when low-current signals go to a PLC or variable frequency drive alongside power cables.

Does the pendant key protect me during repairs?

No. The key only prevents the crane from being operated from the pendant. For repairs, switch off the main isolator and lock it with a LOTO padlock.

Wired or wireless pendant?

A wired pendant is simpler, needs no batteries and is not affected by radio interference. A wireless remote lets the operator move freely and watch the load from a safe distance, making it more convenient in large workshops and for long-span cranes.

In short

Number of buttons – according to the number of controlled motions; two-speed motor – two-step pushbuttons.
IP56 – for water and outdoor conditions, IP65 – for fine dust, IP54 – for indoor use.
The pendant controls the contactors; STOP disconnects the main contactor.
7- or 12-core cable: rubber H07RN-F for suspended pendants, PVC control cable for indoor use, shielded for signals near drives. Suspend the pendant from a steel wire.
For repairs – lock the main isolator with a LOTO padlock.

Not sure which pendant to choose? Tell us what equipment you control, how many motions and speeds it has and the control voltage – we will select the pendant, cable and contactors for you. Contact us.