Machinery Safety 101 » Emergency Stop

Interlock Architectures – Pt. 5: Category 4 — Control Reliable

Doug Nix — Mon, 26 Sep 2011 12:30:41 +0000

The most reliable of the five system architectures, Category 4 is the only architecture that uses multiple-fault tolerant techniques to help ensure that component failures do not result in an unacceptable exposure to risk. This post will delve into the …

Interlock Architectures – Pt. 4: Category 3 — Control Reliable

Doug Nix — Mon, 19 Sep 2011 12:30:13 +0000

Category 3 system architecture is the first category that could be considered to have similarity to “Control Reliable” circuits or systems as defined in the North American standards. It is not the same as Control Reliable, but we’ll get to …

Updates to Popular Articles

Doug Nix — Tue, 15 Mar 2011 16:52:37 +0000

We’ve recently updated a couple of our popular articles! Check them out! Busting Emergency Stop Myths Reader Question: Multiple E-Stops and Resets

Reader Question: Multiple E-Stops and Resets

Doug Nix — Tue, 01 Mar 2011 21:53:17 +0000

I had an interesting question come in from a reader today that is relevant to many situations: “When you have multiple E-Stop buttons I have often gotten into an argument that says you can have a reset beside each one. …

Using E-Stops in Lockout Procedures

Doug Nix — Mon, 29 Nov 2010 15:48:09 +0000

Emergency stop devices are sometimes, incorrectly, used as part of a lockout procedure for machinery. Learn more about how to correctly used these devices as part of Hazardous Energy Control Procedures for industrial machinery.

Emergency Stop Categories

Doug Nix — Mon, 27 Sep 2010 12:30:49 +0000

I’ve noticed a lot of people looking for information on Emergency Stop categories recently, so this post is aimed at those readers who want to understand this topic in more depth. Categories The first point to make is that these …

Busting Emergency Stop Myths

Doug Nix — Fri, 03 Sep 2010 13:30:40 +0000

There are a number of myths that have grown up around emergency stops over the years. These myths can lead to injury or death, so it's time for a little Myth Busting here on the MS101 blog!

Guarding Emergency Stop Devices

Doug Nix — Fri, 03 Sep 2010 12:30:55 +0000

Can emergency stop devices that a prone to unintended operation be guarded? Find out!

Interlock Architectures – Pt. 3: Category 2

Doug Nix — Tue, 24 Aug 2010 13:23:15 +0000

This article explores the requirements for safety related control systems meeting ISO 13849-1 Category 2 requirements. "Gotcha!" points in the definition are highlighted to help designers avoid this common pitfalls.

Interlock Architectures – Pt. 2: Category 1

Doug Nix — Wed, 28 Jul 2010 12:30:20 +0000

This article expands on the first in the series "Interlock Architectures – Pt. 1: What do those categories really mean?". Learn about the basic circuit architectures that underlie all safety interlock systems under ISO 13849-1, and CSA Z432 and ANSI RIA R15.06.