Safety Interlock Switches

Safety interlock switches are specialized or proprietary products and accessories related to safety sensors and switches. There are several types of specialty safety switches. Examples include interlock safety systems, safety key switches, and non-contact interlock safety switches. An interlock safety system is a strong control system that provides protection to personnel, equipments and plants. Safety key switches are another type of specialty safety switch that uses a key as activation source. A non-contact interlock safety switch is used to detect the opening of guards-including doors, gates and/or removable covers-that prevent access to dangerous parts of a machine, and to help deter tampering with the guards or the internal machine controls. Other specialty safety switches are commonly available.

Specialty safety switches function in a variety of ways. Safety sensors are connected to equipment and machineries in industries and detect unsafe conditions. A specialty safety switch is an open and close circuit which can be operated manually using operating mechanisms or they can also operate automatically with the help of a fuse.

safety interlock switches

What are Safety Interlock Switches?

Specialty safety switches are placed in enclosures of sensors to prevent dangerous accidents. Specialty safety switches are protective units used with an electrical contact that prevents the contact between die and ram of a switch when the die is repaired. An interlock safety system prevents electrical switches from operating when safety conditions get ruptured. Interlock safety systems can lock doors and stop people from entering a particular area where dangerous gases are present. Interlock safety systems consists of interlock or tag out devices that are used for service and maintenance of equipment and machinery. Interlock safety systems are generally relay based but recently they have been developed using programmable control logic (PLC). A safety key switch turns inside several positions of a circle and a slide switch uses a slider that moves linearly at different positions. Safety key switches are cost effective, reliable packages that enable the detection of safety position in doors and protective guards. In non-contact interlock safety switches, the power source of hazard and movable guard door are coupled using a magnetic and electric field. Power is isolated in these switches and provides safety to machines when a guard door opens and an operator accesses it. Non-contact interlock safety switches have positive actuators that are an electromechanical switch which are operated in normally closed condition. Specialty safety switches have a non-contact interlock safety switch which can be used in interlocking applications by use of monitoring and duplication.

Specialty safety switches are used in several applications. Examples include industrial and machine guarding applications, and ceiling fan box support. Specialty safety switches are also used in food processing, pharmaceutical production, and personal safety systems.