M22-WRK3

1. Overview

The Eaton M22-WRK3 is a 3-position maintained (stay-put) selector switch actuator head from the M22 RMQ-Titan 22.5mm modular command system, formerly marketed as Moeller and now sold under the Eaton and Eaton/Cutler-Hammer brand names. It is a thumb-grip/knob-type rotary actuator with three stable detent positions at -60°, 0°, and +60° — all positions stay-put without spring return. The canonical Eaton catalog number is 216872 for the bare actuator; the "-V2" slug suffix used in The Button Index database is an internal catalog versioning identifier and is not a genuine Eaton part number suffix — no Eaton, distributor, or datasheet source lists "M22-WRK3-V2" as a real variant. The actuator is sold separately from contact blocks in the M22 modular system.

Data quality flag: The Button Index product page (slug: eaton-m22-wrk3-v2) describes this item as "Spring return to center," but every external distributor and Eaton datasheet source consistently describes M22-WRK3 as fully maintained (no spring return, "bez samopowrotu," "rastend," "à accrochage"). Spring-return-to-center variants in the M22 family use different actuator codes. This "spring return to center" subcategory assignment appears to be a catalog error requiring correction.

2. User Sentiment

No forum reviews or community sentiment posts specifically for M22-WRK3 were found in the research findings. However, Galco notes that Eaton's M22 selector switch line is praised for its field-convertible functions (maintained to momentary via coding adapters) and the modular contact block system, which reduces stock-keeping requirements. One Chinese review (Taobao/Baidu ecosystem) of the M22-WRK3/K20 complete assembly calls it a solid-performing, widely applicable industrial-grade 3-position selector with "German heritage" worth considering for control cabinet upgrades. No significant complaints were found.

3. Real-World Applications

The M22-WRK3 is used across demanding industrial environments for manual circuit selection and mode switching. ManoMano France and other sources describe it as designed for manually controlling circuits in demanding industrial environments. CircuitBreakerGuys specifically notes the M22-WRK3 for motor control applications (Start/Stop/Jog, Run/Off/Run configurations). The 3-position maintained format is commonly used for mode selectors (Auto/Off/Manual, Forward/Off/Reverse), machine control panels, and control cabinets where a stable selection must persist without operator attention. The RMQ-Titan family is widely deployed in European and global industrial automation.

4. Technical Specifications

• Type: 3-position maintained selector switch actuator (thumb-grip/knob), non-illuminated
• Series: Eaton M22 RMQ-Titan (formerly Moeller), 22.5mm modular pushbutton system
• Catalog Numbers: 216872 (actuator only); alternate code M22-WRK3Q; Y7-216872 (Eaton alternate order code)
• Panel Cutout: 22.5mm round (notched to prevent rotation)
• Switch Positions: 3 (–60° / 0° / +60°), all maintained (stay-put)
• Operation: Maintained all three positions — no spring return
• Actuator Style: Thumb-grip / knob (black knob, titanium/silver bezel ring)
• Bezel: Titanium/silver (M22 standard chrome-style ring); black plastic bezel available as M22-S variant
• IP Rating: IP66 (front face assembled); IP67 and IP69K achievable with appropriate accessories
• NEMA Rating: NEMA 4X, 13
• Mechanical Life: 100,000 operations (Eaton official); some sources cite 5,000,000 mechanical operations
• Electrical Ratings (via contact blocks): 6A AC, 3A DC, up to 500V AC (per M22-K series contact blocks, e.g., M22-WRK3-K30: 6A/115V per DigiKey)
• Contact Blocks: Sold separately — M22-K10 (1NO), M22-K01 (1NC), M22-K11 (1NO+1NC), M22-K20 (2NO), M22-K22 (2NO+2NC); supports up to 6 contact blocks
• Fixing Adapter: M22-A (standard fixing ring, often included or sold alongside)
• Standards: IEC 60947-5-1, UL, CSA, CE
• Key Operation: Standard M22-WRK3 uses thumb-grip (no key required); key-operated variants in the M22 family use different coding — TME.eu confirms key type: none for M22-WRK3
• Field Convertibility: Maintained positions can be converted to momentary via Eaton coding adapters (M22-A type accessories)

5. Ordering & Compatibility

The M22-WRK3 bare actuator (cat. 216872) is widely available from Eaton-authorized distributors worldwide: DigiKey (~$19.50 each), KentStore (~$13.22), IMC Direct (~$10.40), and numerous European distributors (Automation24, TME, Farnell, Conrad, RS Online). Complete assemblies are available as M22-WRK3/K20 (cat. 216520, 2NO), M22-WRK3/K22 (2NO+2NC), M22-WRK3/K30 (3NO). Mixed-position variants include M22-WRK3-1 (left maintained, center momentary, right maintained) and M22-WRK3-1-K11. The actuator is compatible with all standard M22 contact blocks and accessories including M22-A fixing adapter, M22-LED light units for illuminated versions, and mounting adapters. Radwell and Galco carry it as surplus/refurbished inventory. The M22-WRK3Q is an alternate catalog designation for the same part.

6. Known Issues

No significant reliability or failure issues were reported across the research findings. The main data quality concern is internal to The Button Index catalog: the product slug "eaton-m22-wrk3-v2" incorrectly categorizes the M22-WRK3 as "spring return to center" and appends a non-existent "-V2" suffix — the correct description is fully maintained (all three positions stay-put) and the canonical Eaton part number is simply M22-WRK3 (cat. 216872). The "-V2" designation does not appear in any Eaton catalog, datasheet, or authorized distributor listing; the only "V2" occurrence found is "V2.0" in an Automation24 datasheet document version number, unrelated to the product SKU.