IDEC Corporation hereby announces a part number unification and consolidation for the HW series of switches, affecting green illuminated pushbuttons and pilot lights.

The green lenses for illuminated HW series pushbuttons and pilot lights are being consolidated. Previously there were different lenses for incandescent and LED models. These lenses differed only in color and in no other physical aspect. The introduction of the new LSTD series of superbright LEDs has made this unnecessary. As of August 2002 we are only offering one shade of green lens for all illuminated HW series switches and pilot lights.

New part numbers for the individual lenses will carry a color designation of "-G" as opposed to the "-GL" (incandescent) and "-GD" (LED) that previously indicated the two different shades. These new item numbers are the same physical part as the present "-GL" lens.

Attached is a list of old lenses and replacements. Cases where the new part number differs in shade/hue from what it is replacing are indicated.

The new part numbers affect only sub-assembled and partial-assembled items that used the "-GL" and "-GD" indication. There will be no change to fully assembled switch/pilot light part numbers. Please be aware that some items previously ordered will be supplied with a different shade/hue of the lens as a result of this consolidation (see list for details). IDEC will be labeling individual boxes of the affected fully assembled items for two months to ensure that distributors and customers are aware of this change and realize that the items they are receiving may be slightly different.