IS & Ex


Cable-pull switch enhances industrial safety

September 2017 IS & Ex

Industrial automation customers can now improve safety without sacrificing productivity using the Allen-Bradley Guardmaster Lifeline 5 cable-pull switch from Rockwell Automation – a solid-state, cable-pull E-stop in the industry with microprocessor-based technology.

Traditional cable-pull switches are prone to nuisance trips and unreliable operation due to temperature-based changes in cable tension. The solid-state operation of the Lifeline 5 offers an electronic monitoring system to compensate for thermal expansion and cable sag.

“Because the Lifeline 5 is a solid-state switch there is not the mechanical wear often associated with traditional switches,” said Christo Buys, business manager for control systems, Rockwell Automation sub-Saharan Africa. “This means increased uptime and more reliable safety function over a longer lifecycle.”

The Lifeline 5 switch provides constant access to the E-stop function, stopping a machine hazard with a simple pull of the attached cable. The patented, microprocessor-based solution simplifies setup and allows for more efficient maintenance and troubleshooting. The easy-to-see LED indicators assist in cable tensioning for quick, precise setup while providing switch status and diagnostics during operation.

Available in die-cast aluminium or rugged, stainless-steel housings with IP66 and IP67 environmental ratings, respectively, the Lifeline 5 switch helps optimise productivity by combining maximum reliability with diagnostics that can help prevent unplanned downtime. The die-cast aluminium model also offers an optional, integrated E-stop button for even greater application flexibility.

For more information contact Christo Buys, Rockwell Automation, +27 (0)11 654 9700, cbuys@ra.rockwell.com, www.rockwellautomation.co.za



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