Category Archives: Functional Safety

PSRmodular – as adaptable as a Chamelion!

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Written by Leigh Jenkins, Product Manager- Safety & Networks

Now is the time to switch from PSRtrisafe to PSRmodular – Phoenix Contact is always on hand to help…

With the pending discontinuation date for PSRtrisafe range closing in daily, the time to move over to the latest technology replacement from Phoenix Contact is NOW. Every effort will be made by Phoenix Contact to provide availability as per the timeline. Although we are already seeing an increase in demand on the PSRmodular range (due to customers who have already made the switch), this demand will affect the manufacturing and availability for the PSRtrisafe products, resulting in them becoming extremely limited or not available prior to the planned end of life date.

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How safe is your Machine speed?

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Written by Leigh Jenkins, Product Manager- Safety

Safe motion monitoring has become increasingly important in machine and system design.

Conventional safety technology keeps the operator away from dangerous movement by shutting down the relevant drive when a movable guard e.g safety door is opened. This usually results in the removal of power sources using contactors or other forms of power disconnection. “Safe Switch Off”.

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A new era for Industry Management and Automation at Phoenix Contact UK

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Written by Tony Deane, Sales and Marketing Manager- Industry Management and Automation

My new role at Phoenix Contact UK has set me many new challenges and objectives, both engineering and commercial. 

In Industry Management, it is putting a team together an Industry Management structure for

In the realm of Automation, it is maintaining a solid product management team and technical support structure in the following disciplines

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The machine safety life cycle

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Written by Leigh Jenkins, Product Manager- Safety

A simple guide to Functional Safety for machines.

The reality is we must take some essential steps in order to arrive at the correct safety solution and put it into action. That is where we can help.

Phoenix Contact defines Functional Safety as a Safety life cycle. The safety life cycle shows 8 phases dependent on whether safety related software is used or not.

Here are a few examples of what these stages involve.

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How safe is your speed?

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Written by Andy Maskell, Product Manager- Safety & Networks

Safe motion monitoring has become increasingly important in machine and system design. Conventional safety technology keeps the operator away from dangerous movement by shutting down the relevant drive when a moveable guard, e.g. safety door, is opened. This usually results in the removal of power sources using contactors or other forms of power disconnection. “Safe Switch Off”.

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How safe do you need to be?

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Written by Andy Maskell, Product Manager- Safety & Networks

Earlier this year the new PSRmodular safety system was launched. Since then the benefits of this new platform have been realised and implemented into a wide range of applications. Every time I get involved with a new application I learn more about how flexible this system can be and how important it has been to simplify making machines safe.

You can choose from two expandable controllers depending on the complexity of your application. Then, if required, you can decide on the expansion modules you need. There are plenty of I/O expansion modules to choose from in various sizes to suit your application, so you only order what you need.

All common input types are catered for :

  • Emergency stop
  • Two handed control
  • Safety light curtains (AOPD)
  • OSSD (Output Signal Switching Device)
  • Safety Mats
  • Zero speed monitoring
  • Over/Under speed
  • Safe analogue monitoring

The new PSRmodular software is intuitive and easy to use with pre-configured function blocks and built in monitoring for all of your safety tasks.

Current approvals:

  • Up to PLe/SILCL 3 (IEC 62061)
  • Lift application (EN81-20/EN81-50)
  • UL 508
  • Atex zone 2, CL1 Zone 2, IEC EX

One of the many special features of PSRmodular is the Line E-stop function. This feature allows the user to link multiple safety controllers together and create a global emergency stop system whilst allowing local safety functions to operate independently. If an emergency stop device is operated then all controllers will detect this and react accordingly.

If you could benefit from some remote safe I/O then we have the TBUS extension modules. The TBUS module allows the din rail mount communication connectors to be extended by cabling. Just four cores are required to do this and up to six extensions can be used per controller.

And when comes to integrating the PSRmodular system into the rest of the machine we have that covered to with the optional communication gateway options. All popular communication protocols are catered for with non-safe bidirectional communication possible for all types.

The PSRmodular Software is “FREE” and can be downloaded from our website now.

We also have various support tools to get you started on your safety journey, quick start videos, product overviews and data sheets.

If you would like further information please feel free to contact Andy on amaskell@phoenixcontact.com or tel 07584 235440