Rockwell Automation 440F Safedge Pressure Sensitive Safety Edge System - Manual (Page 6)

Each Profile uses a combination of non-conductive rubber and a flexible wire cored conductive rubber,
bonded together to form a variety of energy absorbing Profiles. The Profile has no rigid internal parts
which can “break through” or cause fatigue failures after prolonged use. The maximum operating
voltage of the Profile is 12 VDC so no dangerous voltage is exposed if the Profile is accidentally cut or
sheared. The copper wire core throughout the length of the Profile ensures that there is no significant
build up of resistance over long lengths.
The circuit through the Profile is monitored by the Safedge control unit which, when a 6K Ω resistance
is present (i.e. normal run conditions), produces a signal to the machine control circuit.
When the Profile is pressed, from any direction through 90
° as shown above, the top conductive
rubber strip compresses and touches the middle conductive rubber so creating a “short circuit” and the
overall resistance drops. This is monitored by the control unit which initiates the machine shutdown.
Any single fault in the Profile or the wiring connections to the Profile will be detected and the control
unit outputs will go to a safe (OFF) state.
Individual Profiles connect to each other by wires, axial connectors or standard 90 ° connectors. The
Profiles are connected to the control units by two wires. The control unit has fully cross monitored
safety relays and it is possible to configure the unit so that an external contactor fault will be detected.
Compliance with the requirements of EN 954-1 Category 3 and pr EN 1760-2 is achieved for the
control unit regarding electrical faults and can be met for the associated part of the machine control
system. Compliance with the requirements of EN 954-1 Category 1 is achieved for the Profile.
The Safedge system complies with the requirements of the European EMC Directive. Normal operation
under interference conditions likely in industrial environments is assured as it has been tested and certified.
NOTE:- Special measures may be required in the presence of abnormally high levels of EMI e.g. near
to welding or induction heating equipment or near to radio transmitters / transceivers.
Conductive
Rubber
Non Conductive Rubber
Flexible Wire
Cores
Flexible copper
cores send the
signal to the
Evaluator
90 °
45 ° 45°
'Contact'
Zone
5 22
Record of Routine Inspection And Test (see section 6.2.2 and 6.2.3)
Date Inspected By Comments