TÜV-certified safety modules for mechanical engineering and control cabinet manufacturing
In mechanical and plant engineering, safety functions are part of every modern design. Even in the planning phase, emergency stop circuits, safety doors or safety sensors must be implemented in accordance with standards.
At the same time, operators expect high machine availability, low wiring effort and the most compact control cabinets possible.
TÜV-certified safety modules form the basis for this:
They monitor safety-relevant signals, reliably detect errors and ensure that machines go into a controlled safe state in an emergency – without unnecessary production interruptions.
What is the task of safety relays?
Safety modules – often also referred to as safety relays – perform safety-related tasks within machines and systems.
For example, they monitor emergency stop buttons, safety doors, safety switches or non-contact safety sensors and trigger a safe shutdown in the event of a hazard.
In addition to protecting people, modern safety modules make a significant contribution to system availability. By permanently monitoring the connected sensors and wiring, errors are detected early and downtimes are reduced.
For machine builders and control cabinet builders, certified safety relays also offer the advantage that safety functions can be implemented in accordance with standards and with little engineering effort.
What distinguishes TÜV-certified safety modules?
Machines are subject to strict safety requirements. Therefore, safety-relevant components must be developed and tested according to international standards.
TÜV-certified safety modules meet, among other things, requirements up to Category 4 / PL e according to EN ISO 13849-1 and SIL 3 according to EN IEC 62061 and EN 61508.
An independent certification confirms that
- the safety function works reliably even in the event of faults and
- meets the current requirements for functional safety.
For machine manufacturers, this means more planning security, simpler proof of compliance and high acceptance by customers worldwide.
What do SIL 3 and PL e mean?
When selecting a safety module, terms such as SIL 3 and PL e play a decisive role. Both parameters describe the reliability of a safety function – but according to different standards.
- SIL (Safety Integrity Level) is evaluated according to the standard EN IEC 62061 or EN 61508 and describes the probability with which a safety function works reliably in an emergency. SIL 3 is one of the highest safety levels and is required in numerous machine and industrial applications.
- The Performance Level (PL) according to EN ISO 13849-1 also evaluates the reliability of safety-related controls. PL e represents the highest Performance Level and is suitable for applications with particularly high safety requirements.
The "SAFE E-STOP" from our partner company SALZ meets both the requirements up to SIL 3 and PL e (Category 4) and is therefore suitable for demanding safety applications in mechanical and plant engineering.
When is a safety relay sufficient – and when is a safety control system needed?
For many machines, a safety relay is sufficient to reliably implement the required safety functions. Typical applications:
- Emergency stop circuits
- Safety door monitoring
- Two-hand controls.
Safety relays are characterized by simple wiring, short commissioning times and an attractive price-performance ratio.
However, if several safety functions are linked together or complex logic is required – for example, different operating modes, multiple safety zones or extensive diagnostic functions – a programmable safety controller is the better choice: Who knows what the future holds...
SAFE E-STOP – the compact all-rounder for mechanical and plant engineering
SAFE E-STOP- compact, TÜV-certified safety module- certified for highest safety applications- single and dual-channel safety applications - integration into existing safety concepts - for 80% of typical safety applications - 3 safe NO contacts (6 A) and one auxiliary contact – ideal for controlling multiple safety-relevant components - monitoring of emergency stop, safety doors and safety sensors - suitable for mechanical safety switches and OSSD sensors - short-circuit, cross-circuit and ground fault monitoring - manual or automatic start possible - Feedback loop for monitoring external contactors - Cyclic self-monitoring of the output contacts - Space-saving design with only 22.5 mm width |
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The SAFE E-STOP is available directly in our Energy Shop. There you will find detailed technical information, data sheets and the possibility to conveniently order the safety module online. |
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Typical areas of application in industry
- Mechanical and plant engineering
- Control cabinet construction
- Production facilities
- Packaging machines
- Conveyor technology
- Safety door monitoring
- Emergency stop circuits
- Industrial automation
- Safety controls
Practical example from mechanical engineering
A machine manufacturer develops a packaging system with several safety doors and a central emergency stop circuit. The goal is a standard-compliant safety solution that can be wired quickly and requires as little space as possible in the control cabinet.
The SAFE E-STOP monitors all emergency stop buttons and safety doors. If a safety door is opened or an emergency stop is triggered, the safety module reliably switches off the connected contactors. At the same time, it continuously monitors the connected wiring and detects short circuits, cross circuits or ground faults at an early stage.
The result: a standard-compliant safety solution up to SIL 3 / PL e, fast commissioning and high operational safety with a compact control cabinet design.
Safety modules for individual applications
Depending on the application, solutions for emergency stop monitoring, safety doors, two-hand controls or the expansion of safe output contacts are available. This allows almost all requirements of functional safety in mechanical and plant engineering to be realized.
You can get an overview of safety relays in this segment in our e-shop: https://energie-shop.at/collections/sicherheitsrelais
Conclusion:
For machine builders and control cabinet builders, TÜV-certified safety modules are indispensable components of modern safety concepts. They protect people and machines, support compliance with international standards and at the same time ensure high system availability.
With the SAFE E-STOP from SALZ Automation, a compact and versatile solution is available that reliably covers the majority of all safety applications. Thanks to certification up to SIL 3 / PL e, simple integration and robust industrial quality, the safety module is suitable for both series machines and individual special machines.
Discover the SAFE E-STOP and other safety modules from SALZ Automation in the Energie-Shop now and benefit from our current promotion.
FAQ
When is a safety relay required?
A safety relay is always used when safety-relevant functions such as emergency stop, safety door monitoring or two-hand controls must be reliably monitored and, in the event of danger, machines or drives must be safely shut down. For many standard applications in mechanical and plant engineering, a safety relay is the most economical solution.
What does PL e mean?
PL e (Performance Level e) is the highest safety level according to standard EN ISO 13849-1. It describes the reliability of safety-related controls and is particularly required for machines with a high potential hazard.
What does SIL 3 mean?
SIL 3 (Safety Integrity Level 3) describes the reliability of a safety function according to standards EN IEC 62061 and EN 61508. Safety modules with SIL 3 offer very high failure safety and are suitable for demanding industrial applications.