Safety switches are a type of sensor commonly used to ensure safe operation of a variety of machinery types. Non-contact safety sensors are an option when precise guidance of protective devices is difficult. Examples of applications where non-contact safety sensors are good options include: access protection on a safety wrapper machine, monitoring doors on a production line, and safe position monitoring on a storage and retrieval system.
The range of non-contact safety switches from SICK can be divided into three areas: magnetic safety switches, transponder safety switches, and inductive safety switches. Rectangular, cuboid and cylindrical type housings are available between the various sensor principles.
Magnetic safety switches
Magnetic safety switches are non-contact safety switches equipped with complementary-switching or equivalent-switching contacts using coded magnetic actuators. Magnetic safety switches are used in areas where a high level of contamination occurs because they are simple to clean, thereby enabling high standards of hygiene. Their principle of operation enables greater tolerances, making them ideal for applications where precise guidance of the protective device is difficult.
SICK offers three magnetic safety switches: RE1, RE2, and RE300.
RE1and RE2 are both designed for simple and established non-contact door monitoring, are capable of achieving performance levels up to PL e/Cat. 4 (EN ISO 13849), offer direct connection to a safe control solution, and have sensors with plug connector or connected cable. Their differences are as follows:
RE1 square housing
- Response range of up to 7 mm
- 1 NO/1 NC or 2 NO contacts
RE2 rectangular housing
- Response range of up to 9 mm
- 1 NO/1 NC, 2 NO contacts or 3 NO contacts
- LED status indicator (RE27)
RE300 rectangular housing
Complementary switching – in yellow housing
* Block-shaped yellow plastic housing
* 1 NO/1 NC contact
* Response range up to 5 mm
* Up to performance level PL e (EN ISO 13849)
* Direct connection to safety controller possible
* Connected cable
* Actuator with code
* Sensor and actuator up to enclosure rating IP 67
Transponder safety switches
Transponder safety switches are used in applications where a high level of tamper-proofing is essential. These switches operate using by comparing the code stored for the actuator and that for the safety switch. These safety switches have a large response range, which is highly beneficial for mounting and considerably improves system availability. Some safety switches are extra small and have a central evaluation unit in the control cabinet, while others have an integrated evaluation unit that is visualized via an LED status indicator. Various versions exist which enable series connection of up to 20 safety switches and are available as multicode or unicode variants.
SICK offers four types of transponder safety switches, the TR4 Direct. the T4000 Standard, the T4000 Multi, and the T4000 Direct Details for each follow.
TR4 Direct offers a high level of prevention against tampering
- Response range of up to 25 mm
- Multicoded and unique coded sensors up to enclosure rating IP 69K
- Up to performance level PL e (EN ISO 13849)
- Two OSSD safety outputs for direct connection of sensors to a single safety controller
- Safe series connection of up to 30 sensors possible
- LED status indicator
- Boundary area indication and magnetic retaining force (both optional)
- Flexi Loop-compatible M12 plug connector (depending on variant)
T4000 Standard
- Small sensor and actuator design
- Response range up to 10 mm
- Sensor and actuator up to enclosure rating IP 67
- Actuator with code
T4000 Multi offers efficient monitoring of multiple sensors using just one evaluation unit
- Small sensor and actuator design
- Connection of up to four sensors to a single evaluation unit
- Response range up to 32 mm
- Sensor and actuator enclosure rating IP 67
- Actuator with code
T4000 Direct offers direct and cascadable with unicode and multicode variants
- Unicode and multicode sensors
- Response range of up to 19 mm
- Series connection of up to 20 sensors possible
- Sensor with integrated evaluation unit – two safety outputs for direct connection to one safety controller
- LED status indicator
Inductive safety switches
Inductive safety switches are non-contact safety switches used for position determination. They detect approaching objects and are low-wastage? since there is no need for a special actuator. Their large response range makes them independent of fitting tolerances to a great extent, enabling simple mounting and adjustment.
SICK offers three types of inductive safety switches— IN3000 Direct, IN4000 Standard and IN4000 Direct. Details for each follow.
IN3000 Direct provides non-contact position monitoring with direct evaluation
- Safety switch with integrated evaluation unit
- Cylindrical plastic/metal housing (M12 M18 M30 barrel size)
- Response range of up to 15 mm
- Sensor with LED status indicator
- Up to performance level PL d (EN ISO 13849)
- M12 plug connector
- Without actuator
IN4000 Standard is a pulsed position monitoring switch that operates via series-connection and is available in various designs.
- Cylindrical or cuboid-shaped plastic/metal housing
- IP 67 or IP 69K enclosure rating
- Response range of up to 15 mm
- Sensor with LED status indicator
- Safe series connection of sensors possible
- Direct connection of sensors to safe PLC or safety controller possible
- Up to performance level PL e (EN ISO 13849)
- M12 plug connector
IN4000 Direct provides non-contact position monitoring with direct evaluation
- Safety switch with integrated evaluation unit
- Two safety outputs for direct connection of sensors to a single safety controller
- Cuboid-shaped plastic/metal housing
- Response range of up to 15 mm
- Sensor with LED status indicator
- Up to performance level PL e (EN ISO 13849)
- M12 plug connector
- Without actuator
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