You are currently viewing the How to Choose an E-Stop Technology page.
There are strict guidelines concerning the compliance of emergency stop pushbuttons, the bulk of which are focused on making the button easy to access and press. However, there are certain applications in which even a standards-compliant pushbutton may not be the ideal solution. These applications can usually be improved with a technology known as a rope switch.
In the vast majority of applications, a pushbutton will suffice. An emergency stop pushbutton must be colored red and must be mounted upon a bright yellow background. The yellow background must be a minimum of 3mm beyond the mounting collar and visible beyond the control actuator according to ANSI B65.1-2005.
The actuator of a pushbutton-operated device is required to have a mushroom-head shape. Flush or membrane-style switches are not permitted, and neither are graphical representations of a button on an HMI or flat panel display. While the coloring is designed to ensure that it can be easily located, the purpose of the mushroom-head shape is to make it easy to push.
E-stop pushbuttons need to be located at each operator control station and at any other location where an emergency stop would be required. The buttons must be self-latching, meaning that they can only be reset manually. They also need to have direct opening operation. As with all E-stop devices, a pushbutton must remain unguarded.
In applications that involve several operators working alongside a conveyor, it might not work well to have multiple E-stop pushbuttons at each work site. Instead, the most workable solution might be a rope switch, which is a cord of braided plastic-coated wire that’s installed horizontally across the points of hazard generated by rotating machinery and conveyor motion.
A rope switch can cover the entire machine, and anyone at any spot on the conveyor can pull it. When pulled, it causes the attached switch to generate an emergency stop. For operators working in environments with explosives and similar hazards, rope switches are often the best choice, as these promote a stronger and more robust enclosure.
Our global team is ready to help you minimize risks and stay in compliance with regulations.
Gain the Omron advantage with:
A lot of safety-related troubleshooting requires the input of a safety expert, but what happens when you need answers ASAP and a safety specialist isn’t available? With the right technologies, many sa...
Manufacturing facilities employ a variety of hazardous machines, and safeguarding is paramount. While traditional safety strategies are designed to mitigate risk in hazardous situations, it’s possible...
If not properly safeguarded, machine shop equipment is capable of seriously injuring an operator. Lathes, band saws and other simple machines can cut or even sever a finger or a limb. Due to the major...
As a company that regularly conducts thorough machine safety risk assessments, we’re passionate about making sure our customers are fully aware of the regulations and best practices that are essential...
Making the commitment to retrofit an existing manufacturing facility’s safety system is a crucial first step, and it’s also one of the most difficult. When a facility has been around for multiple deca...
It’s usually quite difficult to tell safety-rated components and standard components apart just by their physical appearance. Although they perform similar functions, there are important factors that ...
Every industry has its sovereign. In marketing, content is king. In manufacturing, production is the ruling metric by which we determine success. Safety system retrofits often have hidden costs, and t...
Safety standards are evolving, and it’s important for manufacturers to make sure that their machines are compliant without hampering operators’ ability to do their jobs. If the machines aren’t complia...
