Depending on where you sell your products, the most varied legal requirements apply to your electric drives and motor controllers. Like the regulations of the EU Machinery Directive 2006/42/EC or the EN ISO 13849 series of standards. In practice, however, designers face two main problems: either it is uncertain which provision applies, or it is unclear whether it applies to the selected solution. That can be clarified, however. In addition to the respective products, we offer you a whole range of help and practical information, application notes and technical FAQs. Last but not least, our experts are happy to help you.
The functional safety of electrical drives is generally implemented using certified components and modules; the electrical safety functions, on the other hand, usually take place in the motor controllers or with external safety relay units. For example, all the motor controllers from Festo have an integrated STO (safe torque off).
Product selection in terms of safety is important, but not everything. To help you meet your complex requirements, we not only offer the right products, but our project engineers are also happy to provide you with expert advice – for example, in order to work with you on the possible Failure Mode and Effects Analysis (FMEA). In this way, you can safeguard your planned systems much faster and more cost-effectively.
In practice and because the harmonized standard EN ISO 13849 applies to mechanical as well as pneumatic, hydraulic and electrical controllers, you will often need information on other or general safety functions when working.
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 deviating from the stopping position by more than a defined 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 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 on machine and system safety. Here you will not only find comprehensive information on the basic standards, risk assessment and risk reduction, but also detailed overviews of all safety functions with the appropriate products to implement these functions in your system.
The guideline also contains an overview of all Festo Training and Consulting seminars on the subject of safety engineering qualification.
Read more in the guideline for machine and system safety (PDF)