F-SERIES

Electronic Safety System

  • Tamper-proof, safety switches
  • Multi-gate monitoring system
  • Category 3 or 4 safety system performance
  • Guard status indication
  • 35mm DIN rail mounting control units
  • EMC tested
  • Compliant with relevant EU Directives
  • Up to 500,000 unique codes available

Description

Mechan Controls developed the electronic non-contact safety switch in 1973. The F-SERIES, is the latest version of this product which now has a record of more than 30 YEARS proven safety and reliability.

The F-SERIES is a uniquely flexible DIN rail mounting safety control unit designed for monitoring up to 30 Mechan safety switches. The main control module (FM1) contains the power supply, dual safety contacts and a monitoring circuit for easy integration into your control circuits along with the input and indication for one safety switch.

The extender modules provide inputs for 1 (FX1) or 2 (FX2) Mechan safety switches and provide both LED and volt free contact indication from each of the safety switches enabling fast, easy diagnosis of open gates or faults.
Mechan safety switches are available in a variety of sizes to suit all applications. They are tamper-proof, i.e. only a Mechan actuator will operate the system, and with an 8-10mm switching distance, they are easy to install, tolerant to misalignment and guard wear. Designed to withstand the harshest environments, the electronic switching is encapsulated into an ABS housing making the Mechan safety switches immune to water, hot hosing, dust or oil etc.

Operation

When the safety switch actuator is brought within the operating range of the sensor (8-10mm target to target), a signal is generated and transmitted to the safety control unit. The control unit evaluates this signal and if all monitored gates are closed and the control module’s internal self-check is completed, the Mechan safety contacts will close.

FM1

All Mechan ‘F’ series systems start with the FM1. The FM1 contains the regulated power supply, 2 safety contact outputs (PGC), external/internal relay monitoring/reset circuit and system indication along with the input for one safety switch sensor and it’s indication outputs. The FM1 and one Mechan Safety Switch Sensor are all that is required for a system monitoring one guard. Simply clip the FM1 into a suitable control cabinet, fit the safety switch sensor to the guard and connect the supply and the volt free control contacts as shown in the installation guide. For larger systems see FX1 & FX2 Extender units.

FX1

The FX1 is a 17.5mm wide extender module which clips onto 35mm DIN rail and connects to the main control module (FM1) via a 6-way connector strap. The FX1 adds 1 gate switch input and corresponding LED and volt free contact indicator output.

FM2

The FX2 is a 17.5mm wide extender module which clips onto 35mm DIN rail and connects to the main control module (FM1) via a 6-way connector strap. The FX2 adds 2 gate switch inputs and corresponding LED and volt free contact indicator outputs

F-Type Safety Switches

The Mechan F-TYPE safety switches are a special type of electronic switch designed for use with our range of safety control modules.

These totally encapsulated (IP67), fail safe, electronic safety switches can only be operated by the Mechan Actuator. They are designed to work in the harshest of conditions, and with an 8-10mm switching distance, they are easy to install and tolerant to guard misalignment and wear.

The F-TYPE switches have 2 pre-drilled fixing holes for 6mm bolts and are supplied pre-wired with 5 / 10 or 15 metre cables.The cable can be extended up to 100 metres using Mechan specified cable or the switches can be purchased direct with longer cable lengths already encapsulated.

There are tens of thousands of Mechan safety switches being used around the world in applications from food processing to concrete block manufacture, giving years of trouble free operation and reducing costly down-time.

  • IP67 sensor
  • 10 mm switching
  • Impervious to Dust & Water
  • Easy to install, tolerant to misalignment
  • 5, 10 or 15 metre cable
  • Choice of cable protection adaptor
  • Safety switch sensor cable may be extended (up to 100 metres)

B-Type Safety Switches

The B-Type safety switches have all the advantages of the F-Type, built into a smaller ABS housing.

The B-Type are fully electronic safety switches containing no moving parts to stick or wear out.They are resin encapsulated into an ABS case to provide a fully sealed, IP67 sensor, and with an 8-10 mm switching distance, they are easy to install and tolerant to misalignment / machine guard vibration.

The B-TYPE switches have 2 pre-drilled fixing holes and are supplied pre-wired with 5 / 10 or 15 metre cables.The cable can be extended up to 100 metres using Mechan specified cable or the switches can be purchased direct with longer cable lengths already encapsulated.

The smaller ABS housing makes them suitable for ‘light weight’ guarding such as perspex or makralon giving years of trouble free operation even in areas where high pressure hosing, hot hosing, CIP are the norm.

  • IP67 sensor
  • 10 mm switching
  • Impervious to Dust & Water
  • Easy to install, tolerant to misalignment
  • 5, 10 or 15 metre cable
  • Choice of cable protection adaptor
  • Safety switch sensor cable may be extended (up to 100 metres)