Fail-safe inductive sensors

Safety technology in automation has a share of the responsibility for safe human-machine interaction. Fail-safe sensors with safety functions are an important part of a safety system for persons and machines. The operating principle and thus the advantages of inductive sensors can also be used for safety-related applications. Direct detection of metal solves many applications. Magnetic or mechanical counterparts do not have to be considered in the design. A wear-free function due to the non-contact principle and a high protection rating guarantee high plant uptime.

No special demands such as shielding, twisted cables or laying separately, are made on the socket. The sensor is directly connected to existing PLCs or logic modules using common existing unshielded 4-pole cables. The output characteristics of the sensor follow the characteristics of an input to EN 61131-2 type 1 or 2. The connection to ifm evaluation relays, the bus system AS-i Safety at Work, PROFIsafe, Interbus Safety or safe PLCs and logic modules is equally simple. For the unit family with dynamic pulse detection (Gx50xS) the corresponding software modules are required. The fail-safe sensors with 2 x PNP output (Gx70xS; Gx71xS) can be connected to approved two-channel safety relays without cross-monitoring. The evaluation units from ifm electronic additionally enable the connection of e-stop devices to DIN EN 60947-5-1 without extra cost.

A magnet or coded target is not necessary for the function of the fail-safe sensor.