F-Series System Meets Machine Safety Standards

Mechan Controls has announced that the F-series electronic safety system has achieved the highest possible rating under EN ISO 13849-1, the international standard for machine safety. The F-series is a modular, multi-gate safety system that features a flexible control unit capable of monitoring up to 30 tamper-proof safety switches simultaneously.

In tests recently conducted by TUV Nord in Germany, the system achieved a Category Four rating, with Safety Integrity Level Three and Performance Level E. The F-Series main control module has dual safety outputs and monitoring for external circuits, while each connected safety switch has both LED and volt-free contact indication at the control unit.

For larger plants or where a complete production line is being monitored, the modular system can be expanded using Mechan's FX1 and FX2 extender units, which work alongside the FM1 master control module. The safety switches are robust, fully encapsulated and available in three sizes with the standard tamper-proof coding, while the CMA version gives the option of half a million unique codes.

The switches have a 10mm operating distance, which makes them easy to install and free from nuisance tripping, and they are well suited for use in harsh conditions and environments where frequent cleaning is essential. As a result, the F-series provides safe and reliable protection on machine guards of all kinds. It is used in industries such as food processing, dairies, pharmaceutical plants and the manufacture of concrete blocks and other construction materials.