ohutusrelai

An ohutusrelai, or safety relay, is an electrical component designed to ensure the safety of personnel and machinery in industrial and automation environments. Its primary function is to monitor safety circuits and, in the event of a fault or hazardous condition, quickly and reliably bring the machine to a safe state. This typically involves disconnecting power to hazardous parts of the machine.

Safety relays differ from standard relays in their internal design and construction. They incorporate redundant internal components and self-monitoring mechanisms to detect failures within the relay itself. This redundancy ensures that a single failure will not lead to a loss of the safety function. Common features include dual-channel inputs, forced-contact relays, and internal diagnostics.

The use of safety relays is crucial for compliance with safety standards such as ISO 13849 and IEC 62061. They are employed in a wide range of applications, including emergency stop circuits, safety light curtains, safety interlocks on guards, and two-hand control systems. By implementing safety relays, manufacturers and operators can significantly reduce the risk of accidents and injuries.

The selection and implementation of a safety relay depend on the specific safety requirements of the application, including the required performance level (PL) or safety integrity level (SIL). Proper wiring and configuration are essential to ensure the correct operation of the safety relay and the overall safety system.