Webinar: Changes to NFPA 79 electrical standard explained

On Jan. 25, 2012, Underwriters Laboratories will explain significant changes to the 2012 version of the NFPA 79 electrical standard for industrial machinery. Read this article for an overview of what will be presented, and to register. Critical changes in the 2012 NFPA 79 include:New definitions and revised rules for expanded wireless and cableless technology that align with IEC 60204-1 New sections recognizing deadly arc flash and stored energy hazards to protect workers and... Read More

Understanding Benefits and Security Implications of Using Wireless for Safety

A look at the multiple benefits of using wireless for industrial safety applications, along with a detailed discussion of implications and pitfalls to avoid when implementing the latest wireless security measures. In recent years, wireless communication systems have become ubiquitous. A standard feature in your local coffee shop, wireless networks have also been increasing in industrial and manufacturing settings, delivering value and reliability even in the harshest environments.... Read More

Hazardous Environments: Understanding the Latest Certification Requirements

Two prominent certification schemes are compared and contrasted to understand the nuances of getting equipment and automation systems certified for use in hazardous environments at high risk of fire or explosions. ATEX consists of two European Union directives describing the equipment and work environments allowed in a potentially explosive atmosphere. ATEX derives its name from the French title of the 94/9/EC directive: Appareils destinés à être utilisés en ATmosphères EXplosives. “The... Read More

Seamless Safety Integration with SIMATIC STEP 7 Advanced V11

All configuration and programming tools required for generating a safety-oriented program are integrated into the SIMATIC STEP 7 user interface and use a common project structure. The SIMATIC STEP 7 Safety Advanced V11 option empowers users to leverage all the advantages of the TIA Portal for fail-safe automation.  Safety Advanced V11 functionalities include project-wide cross-reference list, safety administration editor, online/offline comparator, as well as other integrated... Read More

ISO 12100 Machinery Safety Standard Explained

A primer on the newly updated ISO 12100 machine safety standard, the three types of standards it encompasses, and how it helps designers identify risks during the design stage of machine production, reducing the potential for accidents. ISO 12100:2010 (ISO 12100) specifies basic terminology, principles, and a methodology for achieving safety in the design of machinery. It specifies principles of risk assessment and risk reduction to help designers achieve this objective. These... Read More

New Robotic Technology Aims to Prevent Dangerous Arc Flash Incidents

Many arc flash incidents are related to racking circuit breakers, chiefly in the power industry. A new robotic device allows a worker to rack circuit breakers from a safe distance of over 75 feet away. An arc flash is an electrical explosion that results from a low impedance connection to ground or another voltage phase in an electrical system. In other words, an arc flash is an electrical breakdown of the resistance of air resulting in an electric arc. This can occur when there... Read More

How Increasing Safety Standards Actually Reduces Operating Cost

In a challenge to conventional wisdom that increasing safety adds cost, new research and evidence reveals the opposite. In a recent survey conducted by Aberdeen Group, best-in-class companies created a safer working environment for their employees, and in doing so were able to gain a competitive edge in the marketplace by improving productivity and achieving higher operational efficiencies. Separately, IMS Research reported that global revenues for discrete machine safety components... Read More

The Latest Thinking on Using Ethernet for Machine Safety Networks

A networking expert takes a look at how networked machine safety has evolved, examining the implications of Ethernet-based machine safety networks as a replacement for field buses. The rate of evolution exemplified, and perhaps driven, by Moore’s Law is not limited to computers and consumer products like tablets, PCs and phones. The same innovative wave has splashed across all aspects of technology, including the automation industry, which has been inundated with constantly... Read More

The Future Direction of Safety for UL 508A and UL 2011 Equipment Evaluations

This article addresses important changes that are being made to UL standards to address the increasing complexity of modern hardware while taking efforts to limit the number of design variations necessary for manufacturers to reach all markets. With the implementation of the EU Machinery Directive and evolution of North American machinery safety requirements, national and international standards are being updated so that manufacturers have ease of market access and can limit... Read More

Boosting Food Safety Through a Strategic Plan Leveraging Automation

Manufacturing Execution Systems (MES), RFID and 2D bar codes can work with plant floor control systems for hazard analysis critical control points (HACCP). The impact of food and drink recalls in the U.S. is huge, both for those who ingest contaminated products and for the companies that make them. The number of food and beverage recalls more than doubled from 2006 to 2008, soaring from 240 to 565. The impact of these recalls is enormous. Millions of Americans get sick from contaminated... Read More