Depending on where you sell your products, there are many different legal requirements that apply to your electric drives and motor controllers. These include the EC Machinery Directive 2006/42/EC or the EN ISO 13849 series of standards. In practice, however, design engineers are mainly faced with two difficulties: either there is uncertainty about which regulation applies, or it is unclear whether the regulation is applicable for the chosen solution. But this can be clarified. We can provide you with extensive support and practical information, application notes and technical FAQs, no matter what the particular product is. And our experts are always happy to help.
Functional safety for electric drives is generally implemented with certified components and modules, whereas the electric safety functions are mostly implemented in the motor controllers or with external safety relay units. For example, STO (safe torque off) is integrated in motor controllers from Festo as a matter of principle.
When it comes to safety, choosing the right product is important, but it isn't the only consideration. To help you meet your complex requirements, we not only offer the right products, but our product engineers are also on hand to provide expert advice, for example to work through the Failure Mode and Effects Analysis (FMEA) with you. This means that you can ensure the safety of your planned systems much more quickly and cost-effectively.
In practice and because the harmonised standard EN ISO 13849 applies for mechanical as well as pneumatic, hydraulic and electric controllers, you will often also need information about other or all-encompassing safety functions in your work.
A force-generating energy supply to the electric drive is prevented. This function also prevents an unexpected start-up in electric drives.
Application notes:
The electric drive is brought to a standstill within specific limits (delay, time, etc.) and the safety sub-function STO is subsequently executed.
Application notes:
The SOS function prevents the drive from deviating from the stopping position by more than a specific amount. The energy is supplied to the electric drive so that it can withstand the effect of external forces.
The electric drive is brought to a standstill within specific limits (delay, time, etc.) and the safety sub-function SOS is subsequently executed.
The SLS function prevents the electric drive from exceeding the permissible speed.
The SDI function prevents the drive from moving in the incorrect direction.
The SBC function provides a safe output signal for controlling an external brake or clamping unit.
How? Take a look at our guidelines for machine and system safety. Here you’ll find not only comprehensive information about the fundamental standards, risk assessment and risk reduction, but also detailed overviews of all safety functions with the right products to integrate these functions in your system.
The guidelines also include an overview of all the seminars offered by Festo Training and Consulting for safety engineering qualifications.
Find out more in the guidelines for machine and system safety (PDF)