As a Machine Guarding Manufacturer for over 25 year, Safety Interlock Switches and Emergency Stop Devices was integral in our building of gating and guarding safety systems. Over the years, we have partnered with some of the premier switch and control suppliers all over the world, and we are pleased to represent these companies offering distributer pricing to our cliental.
These partnerships have allowed North American Safety Products to become a premier distributer for some of the largest and most technologically advanced companies in the manufacturing switch industry.
North American Safety Products has been a proud partner of non-contact safety switches, mechanical interlocks, light curtains, and safety control units. We have provided our customers with durable, cost-effective machine guard safety products that have proven their reliability in some of the industry’s harshest, most demanding environments.
We specialize in the proper specification and selection of machine guards, guarding devices and safety control systems for your machinery. We represent the top tier manufacturers of machine guards, guarding devices and controllers and apply a customized guarding approach that best fits the needs of our customers.
To maintain safe environments for personnel and equipment, many systems use different types of safety switches and controls. Here, you’ll find out what kinds of controls and switches are available, their industries and applications, and the products available from North American Safety Products.
Click to Expand
Safety Switches and Controls Explained
Understanding the various types of safety switches and controls is paramount as different safety switches and controls contribute to various safety devices.
Safety Switches
Depending on the application, you may use one of two main types of safety switches, which are fusible and non-fusible. Fusible safety switches work together with fuses within the same enclosure, allowing for easy manual opening and shutting of circuits, while the fuse prevents overcurrent issues. Non-fusible switches are devoid of any kind of fuse or circuit protection, although they still provide a convenient means of opening and shutting the circuit.
Safety Controls
Many systems rely on controls that prevent harm to people and equipment even if an interlocking device experiences system failure. For effective and safe control, many devices use forcibly guided systems for relays, direct opening operation for safety switches, or other types of controls.
Safety Switches and Controls Applications
A wide range of applications depends on safety switches and controls for increasing safety in certain environments. Many of these systems work to disconnect machinery and equipment in manufacturing facilities from power sources. They also enable operators to perform specific procedures for locking and tagging out motors and other types of power supplies.
Multiple organizations require the use of safety switches and controls in industrial and commercial applications, including the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) and the National Electrical Code (NEC). For example, the NEC has article 430.102B in place requiring all safety switches to be in sight from manufacturing equipment and motors, specifically designating a distance of no more than 50 feet and defining “in sight” as being clearly visible from the equipment.
Evolving industry trends have inspired the development of certain types of specialized safety switches. Examples of these specialized switches include general and heavy-duty switches, with many residential to light industrial applications requiring general-duty switches, while institutional, commercial, and heavy-industrial applications need heavy-duty switches.
Safety Switches and Controls Industries
Multiple industries need safety switches and controls for all types of power systems, manufacturing equipment, and heavy machinery, among other pieces of equipment.
The following are a few key industries that rely on these products:
Commercial buildings: One common application for safety switches and controls involves allowing for lock-out or tag-out procedures for equipment along with disconnecting power from machinery in commercial facilities.
Industrial: Many industrial applications have strict requirements around performance, safety, and service continuity, which today’s safety switches and controls help meet.
Healthcare: Different types of facilities in the healthcare sector use safety switches to maintain the safe operation of medical devices and power equipment.
Safety Switches from North American Safety Products
Need safety switches for your application? It’s important to find the right products that can maximize safety and protect both equipment and personnel. For a selection of safety switches and controls that will give you the results you need, turn to North American Safety Products. We work with some of the most dependable international switch and control suppliers, serving as a distributor that can help our clients get the right products at the right price.
When looking for the ideal safety products for your application, you’ll find what you need in our selection. You’ll benefit from cost-effective and highly durable safety products that can hold up under some of the harshest conditions, making them suitable for various commercial, industrial, and residential environments. Whether you need non-contact safety switches, light curtains, mechanical interlocks, or safety control units, we’re here to supply you with the right devices for your unique application.
Looking for more information about our product offerings and custom manufacturing capabilities? Contact us today to speak with a team member or request a quote to discuss your needs with us.
