This Product Selection Guide contains information to help select products in the Controllers - Machine Safety category on DigiKey.com
Machine safety controllers are used to integrate and monitor industrial safety devices such as emergency stops, safety doors, light grids, magnetic interlocks or safety edges, mats, and beams. It can be part of a simple or complex system of devices communicating through software and hardware in a separate dedicated system, or it may be integrated with the normal machine control system.
SelectionCharacteristics
Controller Type: Identifies the intended use of a device, typically in terms of the type of external mechanism with which it is adapted for use.
Number of Inputs and Type: Indicates the number of signal input circuits with which a device is equipped, and whether those inputs process applied signals as continuous (analog) or discrete (digital) values.
Safety Outputs and Type: Indicates the number of safety-rated outputs available on a device, and the manner of their implementation as either a mechanical contact closure (relay) or electronic (solid state) switch.
Auxiliary Outputs and Type: Number and operating principle of non-safety-qualified contact closure outputs available on the device.
Contact Rating @ Voltage: Typically this represents the maximum current to which a device’s contacts will meet their given specifications at a given voltage. Exceeding this current may damage the device and/or other system components.
Safety Category: Standard(s) of safety assurance a device is designed to meet or support; Category (x) PL(Performance Level)x and SIL(Safety Integrity Level)x have specific meanings defined by various standards organizations.
Voltage - Supply: Typically represented by a range, this indicates the low and high voltage limits which one can expect standard operation. Voltages outside this range may damage the device and other system components.
Mounting Type: Indicates how the device is attached.
Termination Style: Selection of termination style used to connect the device to a system, such as screw terminal or spring terminal.
Operating Temperature: Recommended operating temperature, typically given in a range or as a maximum. Exceeding these temperatures may affect performance or damage the device and other system components.
Ingress Protection: IP (Ingress Protection) ratings such as (IP20, IP65, IP67, etc.) define how likely water and dirt will get into the system. The first number represents dirt and solid contaminants while the second represents water and liquids.
IP Ratings
| Solids | Liquids | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Protected against solids larger than 50mm. | Protected against vertically falling drops of water. Limited Ingress permitted. |
| 2 | Protected against solids larger than 12.5mm. | Protected against vertically falling drops of water with the enclosure tilted up to 15 degrees from vertical. Limited ingress permitted. |
| 3 | Protected against solids larger than 2.5mm. | Protected against spraying water up to 60 degrees from vertical. Limited ingress permitted for 3 minutes. |
| 4 | Protected against solids larger than 1mm. | Protected against water splashed from any direction. Limited ingress permitted. |
| 5 | Protected against dust. Limited ingress of dust permitted. | Will not affect operation of equipment 2-8 hours. Protected against jets of water. Limited ingress permitted. |
| 6 | Dust tight. No ingress of dust 2-8 hours. | Protected against powerful jets of water. Limited ingress permitted. |
| 7 | ______________________ | Protected against the effects of immersion in 15cm-1m for 30 minutes. |
| 8 | ______________________ | Continuous immersion in water up to 3m for long periods of time. |
| 9 | ______________________ | Protected against high pressure jets of hot water. (30 seconds) |
| 9K | ______________________ | Protected against high pressure jets of hot water. (2 minutes) |
Features: These are different capabilities or properties of the device such as an alarm relay or display.
ProductExamples
| MFR PART # | XS2SO |
|---|---|
| DIGIKEY PART # | 2170-XS2SO-ND |
| MANUFACTURER | Banner Engineering Corporation |
| DESCRIPTION | Machine Safety Controller Expansion Module 24VDC Supply DIN Rail |
| DATASHEET | Click Here |
| MFR PART # | G9SX-NSA222-T03-RT DC24 |
|---|---|
| DIGIKEY PART # | Z3559-ND |
| MANUFACTURER | Omron Automation and Safety |
| DESCRIPTION | Machine Safety Controller Magnetic Interlock 24VDC Supply DIN Rail |
| DATASHEET | Click Here |
| MFR PART # | XPSBAC14AP |
|---|---|
| DIGIKEY PART # | 4008-XPSBAC14AP-ND |
| MANUFACTURER | Schneider Electric |
| DESCRIPTION | Machine Safety Controller General Purpose 24VAC/DC Supply DIN Rail |
| DATASHEET | Click Here |
| MFR PART # | FS1A-C11S |
|---|---|
| DIGIKEY PART # | 1885-1038-ND |
| MANUFACTURER | IDEC |
| DESCRIPTION | Machine Safety Controller General Purpose 24VDC Supply DIN Rail |
| DATASHEET | Click Here |
| MFR PART # | SF-C13 |
|---|---|
| DIGIKEY PART # | 1110-2055-ND |
| MANUFACTURER | Panasonic Industrial Automation Sales |
| DESCRIPTION | Machine Safety Controller General Purpose 24VDC Supply DIN Rail |
| DATASHEET | Click Here |
MediaLinks
Videos
Tutorial from SICK: Why do you need safety switches?
SI-RF Safety Switches: Simply Safeguard Doors and Gates
Articles
Basics of Safety Interlocks
Component Designs to Satisfy Functional Safety Standards