Product category:
Motors and Variable speed drives
News Release from: Rockwell Automation | Subject: DriveGuard
Edited by the Processingtalk Editorial
Team on 25 October 2004
New safety solution for drives - the
DriveGuard
The DriveGuard safety solution for variable speed drives meets EN954-1 Category 3 standards: 'Safe Off' disables the motor, replacing the complex wiring of traditional two contactor safety systems
Rockwell Automation introduces DriveGuard, its first safety solution for variable speed drives Meeting EN954-1 Category 3 standards, "Safe Off" disables the motor and hence the driven machine's ability to move, until it is deemed safe to do so
This article was originally published on Processingtalk on 13 Aug 2008 at 8.00am (UK)
Related stories
How functional safety can help boost profits
The overall objective of functional safety is to protect workers by reducing incidents and to reduce risk of loss and costs associated with risk
Holistic approach to safety in manufacturing
A new paper from Rockwell Automation reveals how progressive manufacturers are focusing on safety automation solutions to keep their people safe, their machines working and their bottom lines robust
It replaces the traditional two contactor safety system and all the associated wiring, cost and complexity that this entails.
DriveGuard is currently available as an option on the Allen-Bradley PowerFlex 70, a general-purpose AC drive that is available up to 22 kW at 400/480V, 18.5 kW at 600V and 7.5 kW at 200/240V.
PowerFlex 70 is also available with IP66 protection and with flange mounting.
In order to comply with safety standards and remain productive, machine builders have begun building functional safety features into machines using what has been termed the "Zone Concept".
This creates a safe area and allows a portion of the production line to slow or stop while the rest of the line remains active.
The safety hazard, whether a minor malfunction of line equipment or an obstruction, can be removed or corrected without taking the entire line down.
This eliminates lengthy production shut downs and worker downtime.
When the hazard is cleared, the line can quickly return to normal operation again.
As machine builders, OEMs, system integrators and end users embrace functional safety, they can take advantage of integrated safety features in AC drives.
Drives with built-in safety features are part of an ongoing effort at Rockwell Automation to harmonise standards so its products, and its customers' products, can be sold throughout the world.
The benefits of having the safety features built into the drive are substantial.
More drive products, such as the PowerFlex 700S and PowerFlex 40 will incorporate DriveGuard in 2004.
In the past, safety standards and worker productivity were often at odds with each other but Rockwell Automation advanced products with features such as DriveGuard are changing that, resulting in safer, more efficient and more productive working environments. Request a free brochure from Rockwell Automation ...
• Rockwell Automation: contact details and other news
• Email this article to a colleague
• Register for the free Processingtalk email newsletter
• Processingtalk Home Page
Search the Pro-Talk network of sites
