Description
Use these small 6-volt transformers to replace vintage Touchplate PL-6 or PL-120 pilot light transformers in systems built before mid-1985. Pilot lights are useful for indicating where room lights are still on and were typically used in control panels found in a primary bedroom, kitchen, or near a home's main entrances.
Features
- AC Power Filament Transformer, center tap for use in 2-wire low voltage system
- transformers compatible with both Touch Plate vintage pilot lighted switches and new LED pilot light switches
- for use in vintage systems manufactured prior to mid 1985 when the digital panels first came out, although the new pilot lights will be fainter
- transformers only power the pilot lights in the control stations; room lights are powered by the TPL-3000-RELAY. Check both to confirm which part is needed
- use the low voltage wires for 6V to power the pilot lights; (the additional 3V low voltage wire in photo is not currently available)
- Input Voltage: 120 VAC - black wires
- Secondary Rated Voltage: 6 VAC - low voltage wires
- Rated Current: 1000 mA (1A); Secondary VAC with no load: 7.86 V
- Given Output voltage is across the entire secondary
- Resistive Load: 6.8 Ohms; Output VAC with load: 7.05 V
- replaces vintage PL6 and PL120 pilot light transformers
- Classic style with metal bracket with mounting holes
- Height: 1.7" , Width: 1.97", Depth: 1.58"; Mounting hole center to center: 2.30"
- Actual product model and brand may differ from image shown but will work in a Touch Plate system to power the pilot lights
Visit Low Voltage Replacement Transformers, Switches, Relays & Wall Covers to find updated electrical devices for mid-century low volt lighting systems.
Note: The old Permoflux PL6 were used strictly to illuminate the pilot light bulbs in the switches (historically clear buttons with red pilot light bulbs behind them); removing them from the system will not affect the functionality of the switch.
Q & A
Q. Some pilot lights on my Touch Plate Classic control panel no longer light up. How many replacement pilot light transformers will I need?
If you can still turn the light fixture on/off, but just the pilot light inside the switch no longer lights up, then a replacement TPL-TR106 transformer is needed. If you can't turn one light fixture on (or off), then most likely the relay has failed and needs to be replaced with a new TPL-3000-RELAY. (Note the pilot light transformer might still be OK.) Each pilot light button in the control station requires its own pilot light transformer (and relay). So we recommend checking both parts (pilot light transformer and relay) to confirm whether both need replacing. Q. What is the function of the pilot light transformers?
The pilot light transformers are wired in between the relay and the light fixture on the line voltage side. So when the relay sends power to the light fixture, it turns on the transformer which powers the little incandescent bulbs inside the master control switch. When the relay cycles to turn off power to the light fixture, the pilot light transformer doesn’t have any power and so the pilot light turns off. They do not affect the function of the switch to turn ceiling lights on or off; they can be removed from the system if not needed. Q. Can I use the little 6V pilot light transformer with the new LED control station switches?
The little PL-6 pilot light transformers and the newer versions work the same way and their common wires can be joined. However, the internal LED pilot lights in the newer switches are designed for use with a 24V power source from the updated panels. The mini 6V pilot light transformer could be used, but the pilot lights won't be as bright as if using the switches with a new ZoneZ panel.
If you can still turn the light fixture on/off, but just the pilot light inside the switch no longer lights up, then a replacement TPL-TR106 transformer is needed. If you can't turn one light fixture on (or off), then most likely the relay has failed and needs to be replaced with a new TPL-3000-RELAY. (Note the pilot light transformer might still be OK.) Each pilot light button in the control station requires its own pilot light transformer (and relay). So we recommend checking both parts (pilot light transformer and relay) to confirm whether both need replacing. Q. What is the function of the pilot light transformers?
The pilot light transformers are wired in between the relay and the light fixture on the line voltage side. So when the relay sends power to the light fixture, it turns on the transformer which powers the little incandescent bulbs inside the master control switch. When the relay cycles to turn off power to the light fixture, the pilot light transformer doesn’t have any power and so the pilot light turns off. They do not affect the function of the switch to turn ceiling lights on or off; they can be removed from the system if not needed. Q. Can I use the little 6V pilot light transformer with the new LED control station switches?
The little PL-6 pilot light transformers and the newer versions work the same way and their common wires can be joined. However, the internal LED pilot lights in the newer switches are designed for use with a 24V power source from the updated panels. The mini 6V pilot light transformer could be used, but the pilot lights won't be as bright as if using the switches with a new ZoneZ panel.
