Monitor a wide area around dangerous machinery. If a person or object gets too close, these scanners signal your relay or controller to either trigger a warning or shut down the machinery. For example, they can slow a robotic arm if someone comes within 20 ft., then stop it completely if they come within 10 ft. You can also set these scanners to respond only when they detect objects of a certain size. Since they continuously monitor 275°, they cover a much wider area than light beam safety barrier switches.

These scanners have a dedicated safety output for triggering emergency stops, and three inputs/outputs that you can configure. The safety output sends two duplicate signals at the same time—also called redundant signals—so even if one fails, the other will stop your equipment. Wire this output to safety relays or safety terminals on a controller. The inputs/outputs can be configured to set off warnings or adjust the scanner’s behavior. When used as outputs, they can send a signal to flash a light, sound an alarm, or slow a machine. When used as inputs, they can signal the scanner to ignore robot arms or other expected objects, while still scanning for people and unexpected objects.

Download free software onto a computer running Windows to set the monitoring distance, the size of the objects you want to detect, and the function of the inputs/outputs. You can also save up to six different configurations on the scanner itself.

Rated IP65, these switches are sealed to keep out dust and low-pressure jets of water. They’re UL and C-UL listed, CE marked, and TUV SUD certified, so they meet U.S. and international safety standards. They also meet EN, ISO, and IEC standards for performance and safety.

You’ll need a power/input/output cable to connect the scanner to your power supply, controller, or relay. Use an ethernet cord to connect the scanner to your computer for programming.

Mount these scanners to a flat surface using holes on the back. Add a mounting bracket to tilt the scanner toward the area you want to monitor. To shield the top of your scanner from falling objects and collisions, mount a protective bracket onto the mounting bracket.

Safely transmit power to switches and sensors in highly volatile areas. Commonly used in refineries, power plants, and wastewater-treatment facilities, these barriers use a NAMUR signal to reduce the current and voltage coming from your power supply—preventing sparks and ignition. While these barriers connect to switches in hazardous locations, they must be installed in a separate nonhazardous area, along with the power supply. As associated apparatuses for IECEx and ATEX internationally certified switches, they should be paired with items that have corresponding ratings. Mount to DIN rails inside control cabinets and electrical panels.

Barriers with a relay signal output are slower than those with a transistor output, but they can handle higher AC and DC loads. Because of their moving parts, they wear out quicker than transistors. Use them to turn devices on and off, such as light bulbs and small motors.

Barriers with a transistor signal output are faster and last longer than those with a relay output. However, they can only be used to handle DC loads. Connect them to receiving devices, such as remote displays and programmable logic controllers (PLCs).