Every couple of months I get an email asking me if there is any reason why e‑stop functions can’t be used as the primary power control (on/off button) for machinery. Following…
Read MoreIntroduction to Functional Safety Seminars

If you are interested in functional safety, and I know many readers are based on the statistics I see for my other functional safety-related posts, I think you will be interested in this.…
Read MoreEmergency Stop Pull-Cords

This article was updated 2020-06-13, adding links to the Rockwell Automation and Schmersal pull-cord data, and on 2019-04-26, adding specific details related to IEC 60947 – 5‑5 [7]. When it comes to…
Read MoreTrapped Key Interlocking

Many machine designers think of interlocks as exclusively electrical devices; a switch is attached to a movable mechanical guard, and the switch is connected to the control system. Trapped Key Interlocking is…
Read MoreQ & A: Category 2 and Testing Intervals


During the Free Safety Talks that we did with Schmersal Canada and Franklin Empire, we had a “hot question” come up regarding Category 2 architecture and the testing interval requirement. The…
Read MoreFive reasons you should attend our Free Safety Talks


Reason #1 – Free Safety Talks You can’t argue with Free Stuff! Last week we partnered with Schmersal Canada and Franklin Empire to put on three days of Free Safety…
Read MoreSafe Drive Control including Safe Torque Off (STO)


Ed. Note: This article was revised 25-Jul-17 to include information on safe standstill. Safe Drive Control including STO Motor drives are everywhere. From DC variable speed drives and indexing drives,…
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