8
Contrinex Industrial Electronics
receiver unit is connected to a safety relay which transmits the signal to
the machine control unit. When properly installed, the protective device
detects any relevant entry into the hazardous area. As soon as such an
entry is detected, the protective device immediately triggers the safety
relay, which in turn causes the machine control system to bring the
machine to a safe status and/or complete stop, thus eliminating the
hazard.
The size of the protective field depends on the dimension of the AOPD
and the distance between the sender and receiver units.
AOPDs are also commonly used as sensors to automate industrial
operations where no critical human safety issue is involved. However,
when directly linked to the safety of persons, their design and installa-
tion are strictly regulated.
CERTIFICATION OF SAFETINEX PRODUCTS
Safetinex products satisfy all the requirements of category 2, PL c, ac-
cording to EN / ISO 13849 - 1:2006 (formerly EN 954-1) and Type 2
according to EN / IEC 61496 - 1 and - 2.
Before considering the use of Safetinex products in machine safety ap-
plications, it must be verified that the product certifications are valid in
the country where the product is to be used.
The following chapters provide a brief introduction to the main stand-
ards and regulations applicable in the European Community and in
North America. They are by no means a complete guide and only serve
as a reminder of the most important issues. For detailed information,
please refer to the original documents.
This section is intended to provide help for designers and users of in-
dustrial machinery. It summarizes the basic principles of European di-
rectives, procedures and regulations in terms of protection against haz-
ards in the work environment. It is by no means a complete guide and
only serves as a reminder of the most important issues. For detailed
information, please refer to the original documents.
TYPES OF SAFETY STANDARDS APPLICABLE IN
THE EU
In the European Union, safety is legislated. The EU’s Machinery Direc-
tive requires that all machines and safeguarding devices operating in
EU countries meet essential safety standards. Harmonized European
standards regarding machine safety policies are prepared by the CEN
(European Committee for Standardization) or CENELEC (European
Committee for Electrotechnical Standardization) and finalized by the
EU Commission. Once ratified, these standards become European
Standards (EN) that take precedence over national laws. Thus, EU
countries must remove or modify any national standard that conflicts
with the European Standard. CENELEC and CEN cooperate closely
with ISO and IEC, the main bodies for international standards.
EUROPEAN
SAFETY STANDARDS
