How to use EUCHNER Selection Flow Chart
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The EUCHNER selection flow chart covers a wide range of safety products. For machine-guarding applications, the following can help narrow the selection to the most appropriate safety switch or guard-locking solution.
To make a product determination, EUCHNER utilizes a formal selection chart that breaks down the decision by the following categories:
Multifunctional Gate Box: MGB, MGB2 Modular and Classic, and MGBS
Transponder-coded safety switches: with guard locking and without guard locking
Transponder Coded Key Systems EKS, EKS2, and CKS
Transponder-coded read heads with external evaluation
Magnetically coded safety switches
Electromechanical safety switches: with guard locking and without guard locking
Safety relays, control systems and filter module
Enabling switch
Emergency stop devices
Safety engineering: for connection to IO-Link Safety, with AS-Interface, and according to ATEX directive
Light grids and light curtains
Hand-held pendant stations and handwheels
Joystick switches
Position switches and multiple limit switches
Identification systems
Once a product determination is made, consider these questions:
Question 1
Do you need a safety switch with or without guard locking?
(Do you need the door locked for machine run-down time?)
Both safety switches with and without guard locking are broken up into two categories based on their housing material: Metal and Plastic. Switches with Plastic Housing can be used for numerous applications and are the right choice if economy and flexibility are important, whereas switches with Metal Housing are the right choice for those who want to focus on robustness and long service life.
With Guard Locking
Guard locking is a critical industrial safety function that prevents access when the guard is locked. Safety switches with guard locking help keep production personnel safe from harm and safeguard processes. Some guard locking devices can be connected in several different ways, and combining compatible devices with an EUCHNER IO-Link Gateway provides the additional benefit of communication and diagnostics for Industry 4.0 applications.
Plastic Housing Examples
EUCHNER’s TQ series offers guard locking for process protection and monitors contact for the position of the guard locking whereas the TP switches feature electrical or mechanical guard locking.
Metal Housing Examples
EUCHNER’s NZ.VZ.VS switches are available with either mechanical or electrical locking principles. Electrically locked versions lock by applying voltage, while mechanically locked versions are released by applying voltage. The TX and TZ series feature an auxiliary release from the front, the TZ series with an optional escape release.
Without Guard Locking
Transponder-coded safety switches offer different ways of protection without guard locking. EUCHNER’s AP and AR safety switches protect against tampering with Unicode evaluation whereas their CES-A switches use coded transponder technology to provide protection against tampering and are available with high degrees of protection, including IP67 depending on the model. This makes them suitable for applications in demanding environments. The CTP-I-AP safety switches use transponder technology to protect guards and doors. Although they do not provide guard locking, their integrated latching function helps hold the guard in the closed position.
Plastic Housing Example
The NM Safety Switch is plastic-encapsulated and used for monitoring the position of safety doors and moving machine components.
Metal Housing Example
The NZ.VZ safety switch is made of an extremely sturdy, die-cast alloy housing in conjunction with the high degree of protection IP67 permits use under extreme ambient conditions.
Question 2
Do you need a Sliding Door, Hinged Door, or Removable Flap guard?
Sliding and Hinged Door
EUCHNER’s Safety Switch STA and Safety Switch STP are available in special TWIN versions for protecting double-leaf sliding or hinged doors using only one safety switch for both door leaves. These two safety switches provide savings on mounting and wiring as well as offering an optional auxiliary key release.
The STA switch features a robust die-cast aluminum housing that provides a high degree of protection. It can withstand extreme ambient conditions and has an IP67 rating. Whereas the STP features both an actuating head and an internal cam made of metal. This switch can be used for applications that require high locking forces (up to 2500 N) and is also suitable for use on safety control systems. To achieve the maximum possible safety level use dual-channel wiring.
Removable Flap Examples
The following safety switches reliably secure safety doors and flaps on machines and systems. Safety Switch CTP-AP can be used for both process protection and the protection of personnel. Thanks to its integrated guard locking and guard monitoring, so can the CTA-BP and CTM-BP switches.
Question 3
Do you need a Low or High coding level to prevent tampering?
When looking for a certain coding level, check the product description for the coding method listed as Unicode or Multicode. EUCHNER’s Multifunctional Gate Box MGB series is available with Unicode or Multicode evaluation, depending on the model. Unicode provides a high coding level, while Multicode provides a low coding level.
EUCHNER’s CES-AP-C01-CH series features a Multicode RFID safety switch system that recognizes any compatible actuator type made by EUCHNER rather than checking for a single, unique individual code.
EUCHNER’s CES-AR-C01-AH-SA is highly coded. The switch detects only taught-in actuators, additional actuators can be taught-in.
Question 4
What kind of environment is needed?
EUCHNER offers options for environments that are washdown/food-grade, have extreme temperature needs, or in areas with vibration and shaking.
Washdown/Food-grade
EUCHNER’s CTM Series, for example, has hygienic versions available and offers locking forces up to 1300 N. CES-I-AR-C14 Safety Switch is encapsulated in Epoxy Resin and is tested for material resistance in accordance with ECOLAB guidelines.
The Evaluation Units CMS are part of EUCHNER’s magnetically coded safety system, which meets strict hygiene requirements for applications such as the food industry. They offer very high resistance to aggressive media and feature housing materials suitable for food-industry applications. The actuator and read head can also be fitted behind stainless steel, making the system suitable for use in the food industry.
Extreme Temperature
The CES-AP-C.2 Safety Switch and CES-AR-C.2 Safety Switch offer a wide temperature range with versions suitable down to -40°C (-40°F). They feature a flat, elongated design, two active faces, and a degree of protection up to IP67 / IP69 / IP69K. They can also be directly mounted on aluminum profiles, making them well suited for machine guarding applications that use aluminum extrusion framing.
The N01D572-M switch can reach temperatures up to 180°C (356°F). As a precision single limit switch N01, it features a stainless-steel chisel plunger designed for demanding temperature and mechanical applications.
Vibration and Shaking
Read Heads CMS with Hall Sensors are insensitive to external influences such as vibrations or shaking. This allows them to be free from wear because they do not possess any electromechanical contacts.
EUCHNER’s selection flow chart makes it easier to narrow down the right safety product by considering the specific requirements of your machine-guarding application. By evaluating factors such as guard locking, guard type, coding level, and operating environment, you can identify solutions that meet your application’s safety and performance needs. From standard safety switches to specialized solutions for demanding environments, EUCHNER offers a wide range of options to help protect personnel and equipment. For a more detailed overview of available products and selection criteria, refer to the EUCHNER Product Guide.
John Sooy
EUCHNER Selection Flow Chart