Many ways of being safe
19/03/2012 ifm electronic ltd
The latest safety relay from leading automation supplier ifm electronic Ltd may not look very big, but that belies it's capabilities. The AC041S safety relay will be very useful to many OEM's and end users alike, as it can be used as either a stand-alone safety relay, or as part of an AS-interface Safety at Work network. It goes without saying that the AC041S complies with the latest safety standards, having certification to EN 954-1/SC 4, IEC 61508 / SIL3 and EN ISO13849-1/PLe.As a two-channel AS-interface safety monitor, The AC041S has more features than it's predecessors, not least of which are the standard USB 2.0 interface and a chip card to backup up settings, and more than that are extra features built into the safety software allowing more functionality. The USB is for configuration and diagnosis on a PC with the user-friendly safety software from ifm electronic.
As a stand-alone safety relay, the AC041S features four safe inputs or eight standard inputs/outputs locally. It is becoming more common with control devices nowadays to be able to configure a connection as input or output; the AC041S is no exception, increasing it's versatility. The outputs are solid-state, and can be used with relay expansion modules also available from ifm.
When used as an AS-i safety monitor the AC401S also processes up to four safe inputs or eight standard inputs /outputs locally at the same time as monitoring up to 31 safe slaves in the AS-i system. ifm's user-friendly configuration and diagnostic software ASIMON V3.0 G2 enables clear and quick assignment and logical combination of the safety-related bus components in the tried-and-tested function block representation under Windows.
Having the chip card in a pop-out slot in the front of the AC041S makes it easy to save a copy of any settings; handy for OEM's who need to repeat configurations, or end users who need to keep records just in case.
In an AS-i network the AC041S AS-i safety monitor checks code sequences which are exchanged on the system. If these are incorrect, or not received in time it ensures the safe state of the system. The unit has two safe semi-conductor outputs. It is possible to trigger up to six further safe outputs independently in the field. The AS-i safety monitor can be integrated into the AS-I system at any position. Several AS-i safety monitors can be operated via one AS-i master. So grouping is possible to evaluate the safe AS-i slaves without problem.
Standard safety relay functions like "e-stop", "stop categories 0 or 1", "two-hand operation", "enable switch" can be implemented via the software. One AS-i safety monitor thus replaces many traditional safety relays.
Advantages and customer benefits : as an extension of Safety at Work safe and non safe I /O signals can be transmitted via the same AS-I bus. The safety-related extension is fully downward compatible and can be retrofitted on existing installations. All masters, power supplies and bus components can still be used.
Application : There is a wide range of applications for the AC041S new generation of the AS-i Safety at Work safety monitors, or as stand-alone relays. Wherever a decentralised safety technology is important, AS-i safety monitors can be used. In conveying, special machines, handling and the food industry these safety-related assemblies have established themselves.
ifm is committed to working closely with its customers to develop products which precisely match their needs, and the company provides expert, readily accessible technical support to help users maximise the benefits they gain from ifm products.
For further information, contact Mel Lewis, ifm electronic Ltd., Efector House, Kingsway Business Park, Oldfield Road, Hampton, Middlesex, TW12 2HD. Telephone: 020 8213-0000. Fax: 020 8213-2228. E-mail - marketing_gb@ifm.com or visit our website www.ifm.com/uk
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