Product category:
Safety relays, interlocks, control systems, electrical components
News Release from: Rockwell Automation (Allen-Bradley Guardmaster ) | Subject: Bolt mechanical interlocks
Edited by the Manufacturingtalk Editorial
Team on 26 February 2003
Bolt mechanical interlocks are
tamper-proof
Bolt mechanical interlocks have a novel anti-tamper design, which makes them the most practicable method of locking-on, or off, host electrical equipment such as large isolators.
Guardmaster Prosafe has introduced robust, single and dual bolt mechanical interlocks to its Prosafe interlocking range The bolt interlocks are manufactured entirely from weatherproof 316 stainless and have a unique anti-tamper design, which makes them the most practicable method of locking-on, or off, host electrical equipment such as large isolators and grounding units
This article was originally published on Manufacturingtalk on 15 Jul 2008 at 8.00am (UK)
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The interlocks also provide high levels of safeguarding on sliding gates, hatches and enclosures, where part or full body access is required.
The Prosafe single and dual bolt interlocks offer the major advantage that there is no need to run electrical power to the guard door upon which they are mounted.
Instead, power is disconnected by a trapped key on a control panel, or by a Prosafe RKS (rotary key switch) type unit, and the key is then hand-carried to the guard or gate by the operator.
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Robust in design and operation, the bolt interlocks are manufactured from weatherproof 316 stainless steel and have unique, replaceable stainless steel coded barrels (tested to 100,000 operations) to satisfy even the most complicated of interlocking systems.
The interlocks are protected by weatherproof dustproof caps and offer extremely reliable operation via their direct drive, push/pull positive operating mechanism.
In common with all units in Guardmaster's Prosafe range, the interlocks are CE marked, fully tested and conform to standards EN292, EN1088 and GS ET 19 154.
Single bolt interlocks in the range are used to lock on, or off, host electrical equipment such as large isolators or grounding units, and as an interlock on sliding gates or hatches where part body access, only, is required.
In these applications the key, after it has been turned to release the guard-locking unit, remains trapped, and cannot be removed until the guard is closed and locked again.
As a result, it is impossible to open the guard without first isolating the power source, and it is also impossible to switch on power to the machine without closing and locking the guard.
The dual key bolt interlock is similar to the single key version but has a secondary key to allow '2 key in' or 'key exchange' conditions.
The key exchange version may be used where whole body access is required, as the secondary key can be used as a personnel key.
Fully inclusive Guardmaster Prosafe range satisfies bulk of interlocking requirements - the bolt interlocks are part of Guardmaster's Prosafe range, a fully inclusive group of complementary products - including isolators, key exchange units, integral valve interlocks and lock out/tag out devices - that satisfies the bulk of mechanical interlocking requirements.
The products all employ the same dependable key principle and are tested to 100,000 operations (equivalent to 27 years service at 10 operations per day.) New catalogue highlights Prosafe Range - further details of the new complete Prosafe interlocks range are contained within the new Guardmaster catalogue, which is also available on mini-CD for maximum convenience.
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