Sensing & Controls News

Waterproof Safety Switches

Elobau Sensor Technology Inc. announced that its line of Machine Safety Switches are now available with IP69K protection. The IP69K protection class, conforming to DIN40050 standards, combines the IP6X (the highest possible protection against dust penetration) and IPX9K (the highest possible protection against water penetration, with beam pressure of up to 100 bar and at temperatures up to 80ºC).

Because of fully potted electronics, the company said it is able to ensure that the new switches are 100% waterproof, even against the most adverse conditions The switches have successfully passed a multi-stage series of tests in which they were also tested for IP65 and IP67.

The benefits of the IP69K stainless steel switches are particularly helpful in machines operating in heavily contaminated applications, Elobau said. The switches do not need to be mounted in hidden areas since they are able to withstand high pressure wash conditions. The 171 series are available with NO/NC contact or 2 NO contacts configurations.

The 171 switch is a magnetically actuated device, which is tamperproof thanks to a coded magnet system, Elobau said. With dimensions of 44 mm long and 30 mm in diameter, the barrel type switch is designed to be compact and easy to mount. It is associated with a stainless steel magnet, allowing a switching distance of 7 mm, which makes it particularly suitable for the monitoring and protection of doors and hatches. The coded magnet is available in different versions.

Elobau said it also offers a complete range of 25 control units (safety relays) which are certified according to the new Machine Directive EN ISO 13849-1, coming into effect on Dec. 30, 2009.