How to Choose the Right Safety Interlock Switch for Your Facility
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- Zoe
- Issue Time
- Nov 8,2025
Summary
Ensuring the safety of personnel while maintaining operational efficiency is a top priority in modern industrial facilities. Safety interlock switches play a critical role in preventing accidents by stopping machinery when guards or access points are opened. Choosing the right safety interlock switch for your facility requires careful consideration of risk, environment, and system integration. This guide will help you make an informed decision.
Understand the Purpose of Safety Interlock Switches
Safety interlock switches are devices that prevent machine operation when access doors or guards are open. They are essential in protecting workers from moving parts, robotic cells, presses, conveyors, and other industrial hazards.
Key Functions:
Key Functions:
• Monitor guard or door position.
• Interrupt the machine's power or control circuits when the guard is open.
• Some models include guard-locking capabilities to prevent access until hazards are eliminated.
Conduct a Risk Assessment
Before selecting a switch, assess the risks associated with the equipment:
• Identify hazardous areas where access can lead to injury.
• Determine safety categories or Performance Levels (PL) required by ISO 13849 and IEC 62061.
• Decide if the application requires standard monitoring or guard-locking (preventing the guard from opening under motion).
Purchasing managers should ensure the selected interlock meets the required safety category for compliance and liability protection.
Know the Different Types of Safety Interlock Switches
Mechanical (Contact) Interlocks
Use physical actuators like keys, levers, or plungers.
Offer simple, cost-effective solutions with positive-opening contacts for guaranteed circuit interruption.
Ideal for heavy-duty or high-vibration applications.
Non-Contact Interlocks (Magnetic / RFID)
Detect guard position without physical contact, minimizing wear and maintenance.
Ideal for harsh environments (dust, washdowns, cleanrooms) with high ingress protection (IP65–IP69K).
Often include tamper-proof or coded keys to comply with ISO 14119.
Guard-Locking Interlocks
Lock the guard during hazardous operation and only release when conditions are safe.
Essential for machines with stored energy or slow-stopping equipment (presses, robotic cells).
Comes in power-to-lock or power-to-release configurations depending on your safety strategy.
Consider Environmental and Operational Factors
When choosing a safety interlock switch, consider:
• Environment: Dust, moisture, chemicals, or washdowns.
• Durability: Material choices (plastic, die-cast metal, stainless steel) for reliability.
• Mounting & Orientation: Hinged doors, sliding gates, or multiple-actuator setups.
• Wiring & Connectivity: Integration with safety PLCs, diagnostics, or networked systems.
• The right selection minimizes downtime, maintenance, and risk of misalignment or tampering.
Practical Tips for Selecting the Right Switch
1. Match the interlock type to your risk level and operational environment.
2. Choose guard-locking switches where stopping times or stored energy could endanger personnel.
3. Ensure the switch complies with international safety standards (ISO 13849, IEC 62061, ISO 14119).
4. Evaluate lifecycle costs, factoring in maintenance, replacement, and integration.
5. Partner with reliable manufacturers who provide global support, technical documentation, and installation guidance.
Related Products
• 4 sets of gold-plated silver alloy contacts
• PA66 flame-retardant housing
• 14 contact combinations
• Locking force 1300 N
• Indicator light + emergency release
• Optional rear release function
• Compatible with 11 types of operating keys
• 2 sets of gold-plated silver alloy contacts
• PA66 flame-retardant housing
• 6 contact combinations
• Locking force 1300 N
• Indicator light + emergency release
• Compatible with 11 types of operating keys
• Compact design saves space
• 6 sets of silver alloy gold-plated contacts
• PA66 flame-retardant housing
• 4 contact combinations
• DC 24 V / AC 110 V
• Locking force 1300 N
• Indicator light + emergency release
• Optional front / side emergency release
• Compatible with 11 types of operating keys
• Gold-plated silver alloy contacts for the entire series
• PA66 flame-retardant housing
• Up to 3 contact configurations
• Suitable for standard and micro loads
• Compatible with 11 types of operating keys
• Adjustable for 8 key insertion methods
• Comes with a PG13.5 cable gland from the factory
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