One question which has puzzled our 787 pilots since the type was introduced concerned the overhead panel illuminated switches. The switches with a line / bar across only illuminate in the top half (all others seem it have upper and lower illumination). What is the purpose / reason for this bar? Can the two switches be swopped if modified? We spend hour’s sitting there with little going on and it’s strange that none of the guys I fly with have any idea on this.Thanks
The line/bar you are referring to is to indicate that part of the switch has no indication/warning in that part. I assume it is done so all the switches are the same physical size, with the other 'two part' switches having either fault/inop/press indications in the lower half [where the line is in the switches you are referring to]
The Boeing 787 switches are modules with LEDs, so the whole module is replaced when the switch is faulty, the internals cannot be switched around, as on older Boeing types [that also had replaceable lamps]