Banner Engineering Corp. announces the PICO-GUARD™ Fiber Optic Emergency Stop Button for use with Banner’s PICO-GUARD safeguarding system. The PICO-GUARD E-Stop Button works in conjunction with the PICO-GUARD Controller and other optical elements in personnel safety and equipment protection applications. The E-Stop Button is used with Banner’s plastic fiber optic cable and offers a simple, quick means of connecting and disconnecting the fiber. Models are available with fiber entry/exit from either the same side or opposite sides of the housing. When paired with the PICO-GUARD Controller, the E-Stop Button meets Safety Category 4 applications (per ISO 13849-1) and is certified for use in harsh and potentially explosive environments.

The PICO-GUARD E-Stop Button directly connects to PICO-GUARD Controllers, allowing for the easy integration of the E-Stop and other safety devices into one convenient safety circuit. With an impact-resistant enclosure, the E-Stop Button is rated IP65 and complies with ANSI NFPA 79 and IEC 60204-1 emergency stop requirements. List price for the PICO-GUARD E-Stop Button is $160.

“By using compact, non-contact fiber optic technology, Banner’s PICO-GUARD Fiber Optic Safety System provides control reliable personnel safeguarding and equipment protection—and the E-Stop Button is a robust component of this system,” said Mike Carlson, technical manager for Banner’s safety products. “The E-Stop Button rounds out the PICO-GUARD family by offering complementary protective measures to safeguarding devices.” Carlson adds, “This E-Stop button handles environments with high levels of EMI or RF noise, and it is well-suited for potentially explosive environment applications.”

Applications.
PICO-GUARD safety systems eliminate the hassles and hazards of electrical wires commonly used in safeguarding equipment, providing simple operation and integration of safety devices, such as Banner’s Fiber Optic E-Stop Button. The PICO-GUARD family provides extreme reliability and durability, making it ideal for a wide range of industrial applications, including the following:

-Safeguarding personnel in operator load/unload applications
-Protecting equipment from environmental obstructions
-Interlocking access panels
-Entry/exit guarding with muting
-Explosive environment point-of-operation guarding
-Guard interlocking in a clean environment

Also, several features of the PICO-GUARD E-Stop Button make it particularly easy to set up and use:

-Features bright red push-to-stop, twist-to-release button with yellow background (per ANSI NFPA 79 and IEC 60204-1)
-Provides choice of models with fiber connections on same side or opposite sides of enclosure
-Offers ATEX, FM and CSA explosive environment certification ratings
-Certified to ISO 13849-1 Category 4 requirements
-Delivers easy connection for 2 mm OD (1 mm core) plastic fibers
-Accommodates up to 3 E-Stops in a series on a single channel (all PICO-GUARD controllers have four channels)
-Constructed of impact-resistant polycarbonate resin—rated IP65
-Can be used with SFI interlocking switches in same optical loop
-Offers easy mounting and installation

PICO-GUARD E-Stop Buttons work in conjunction with the PICO-GUARD Fiber Optic Controller and other optical elements. The PICO-GUARD Controller features four optical channels with multiple inputs per channel and includes two Universal Safety Stop Interface (USSI) inputs for direct connection of multiple safety devices. Controllers operate on 24V dc with selectable trip or latch output, external device monitoring and auto/manual power-up. All models mount directly to DIN rails or panels and have removable terminal blocks for convenience. Models are available with auxiliary outputs and muting function.

Banner offers PICO-GUARD optical elements to detect or prevent inadvertent access to a hazard:

-Fiber Optic Grids and Points for perimeter and access guarding
-Several styles of Fiber Optic Interlocking Switches for monitoring guards, gates and covers

About Banner.
Banner Engineering is the world’s leading manufacturer of electronic machine guarding systems, wireless networks, vision sensors, photoelectric and ultrasonic sensors, precision measurement systems and fiber optic assemblies.

Courtesy of  Banner