Written by Mark Harries, Marketing Team Leader- Industrial Components and Electronics
Before deciding the design of your safety control system, it is necessary to understand which performance level you need to achieve in accordance with ISO-13849. A risk assessment is therefore required. At Phoenix Contact we have an App which can be used on an iPhone or iPad, giving the user an interactive risk assessment guide, 
therefore determining the performance level of the machine or application.
You can download the free App in iTunes here.
How do I know I have achieved the required performance level ?
One easy way to validate that you have achieved the correct performance level for your machine/application is to use a free software tool called SISTEMA. This is free to download from our website here.
You can also download a library of Phoenix Contact devices from the above link, which can be accessed within SISTEMA. This means that you don’t need to waste time and effort hunting for safety characteristic values. You simply select the product you wish to use and the SISTEMA software will calculate the rest.
Why do we need three safety functions and what is the advantage?
The new MXF safety relay from Phoenix Contact is revolutionary in the market place. It is a perfect solution to replace two or three standard safety relays.
The reason behind its development was to address a need in the market place to bridge the gap between a standard safety relay and a configurable safety relay (software configured). Many customers have three separate safety input functions on a machine and wanted a bit of safety logic, without the need for software or dip-switches. The MXF Safety Relay is the perfect solution, the below diagram gives a visual representation of the safety operating principle.
In comparison to three safety relays it offers the following advantages:
- 66% space saving in the cabinet
- Vastly reduces the hardware cost
- Reduces wiring effort
- Gives some safety logic with zoned switching, without the need for software or dip switches.
To find out some more information about this truly innovative product, please click here.
Line E-stop applications – Can the MXF assist?
In addition to the above example the MXF Safety Relay can also be very advantageous for ‘line E-Stop’ applications. This is a great solution for End Users and OEM who are integrating machines into a larger production line or process. The below diagram gives an example of the concept:
To download your MXF Safety Relay brochure, please click here.
For a site visit and demonstration of the MXF Safety Relay please contact Mark Harries on 07717335477 or send an e-mail to mharries@phoenixcontact.com.
