Hannover Messe - June 2002

Input module makes safety switches bus-compatible

Schmersal put safety under the spotlight at the Hannover and showed its safety monitors and a safe input module for the connection of safety switchgear to the AS-i 'Safety at Work' system.

The safety monitor looks at safety component information carried over an AS-i network and when a safety circuit trips or faulty behaviour is detected on a safety component the system is switched into a safe state within 40 ms.

Up to 30 safe input modules can be connected to one monitor unit and redundancy is designed in.

The safe input module is used to connect safety switchgear with mechanical contacts such as safety switches from Schmersal's AZ Series, many thousands of which are in use today in mechanical and engineering plant around the world. It can also be used for connecting Emergency-Stop buttons or safety sensors.

AS-i bus offers simplified installation as connection is via familiar AS-i ribbon cable. It also saves switchgear cabinet space and minimises downtime as a result of diagnostics within the network. AS-i Safety at Work can be employed up to Control Category 4 of

EN 954-1 and both TUV and BIA have tested AS-i Safety at Work given it a positive report.

Schmersal
h119@industrialnetworking.co.uk