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    XS26-2 safety controller and WLS15C

    The Safety Controller is the Backbone of Your Safety System

    Safety control is a critical and a required part of any safety system. It ensures that your safety measures 1) do not fail, or 2) if failure is inevitable, fail in a predictably safe way. 

    A safety controller is often an ideal safety control solution, because it provides more functionality than a safety relay, at a lower cost than a safety PLC.  In addition, a smart, scalable safety controller can expand with your needs as well as enable remote monitoring of your machine safety systems. 

    Smarter, More Flexible Safety

    Safety Solutions Graphic
    Anatomy of a Safety System

    Designing a Smart Machine Safety System That Expands With Your Business

    There are many different types of safety devices that all work together to protect workers from injury and protect machines from damage.  A safety system can quickly become complex and daunting, with many areas to protect and many devices to implement and manage. 

    However, an easy-to-use and flexible safety controller will make it much easier to get your system up and running quickly with minimal downtime and will allow you to easily expand and adapt to future needs.  Note that for simple applications, a full-feature safety controller may not be necessary.  In these cases, a safety relay provides reliable safety control with minimal complexity. 

    Please note: The information on this page is meant for educational purposes only and is accurate as of the time of publication. Always consult a safety expert about your specific application prior to implementing any machine safety measures.

    What to Look for in a Safety Controller

    A Scalable, Flexible Solution

    Guards Multiple Points and Expands to Meet Changing Requirements

    Safeguarding multiple points across a large machines and assembly lines can be challenging because of the variety of hazards present.  With multiple zones and dozens of safety devices, wiring with traditional relay modules can become complicated. The result is high costs and long installation times to create the appropriate safety logic and circuits. 

    An expanable safety controller provides a simpler solution to safeguard hazards, protect personnel, and scale to meet the needs a very complex safety applications.  Also, a safety controller that can expand when you need it allows for the required agility to meet deadlines and implement changes quickly. 

    An Intuitive User Interface

    Saves time and costs with minimal learning curve

    Intuitive programming saves time and costs.  An icon-based, drag-and-drop user interface reduces the learning curve and speeds up commissioning, and it makes it easy to quickly modify and update the configuration when changes are needed.  Note that many safety controllers have password protection to ensure only authorized users can make changes, reducing the risk of operators bypassing the system.

    Furthermore, look for a safety controller interface that automatically generates wiring diagrams to speed up installation.  In addition, a controller with live simulation will allow users to test configurations and changes quickly before implementation. 

    Real-Time Fault Monitoring

    Monitor Safety Devices Remotely

    Real time fault monitoring allows quick identification of problems. Look for a safety controller that can communicate with your PLC via Profinet, Modbus, TCP/IP, PCCC, etc.  This allows you to remotely monitor your safety devices and will ensure that you are notified in real time when there is an issue with the safety system. Also, with configurable IO, inputs can be changed to non-safe outputs to control indicatior lights for local notification of a fault.

    For example, XS26 and SC26 safety controllers can communicate up to 256 virtual status updates to a PLC or HMI that can be stored and tracked for future analysis.  Furthermore, these controllers can also receive up to 80 virtual non-safety inputs to remotely turn safety devices or indicators on and off, enable mute functions, cancel off-delays, initiate a reset, and accomplish other tasks quickly and easily in the HMI without complicated programming.

    Featured Safety Products

    XS26 Series

    Expandable Safety Controller

    The XS26-2 expandable safety controller has the capacity to adapt to a variety of machines, including large scale machines with multiple processes.

    • Program in minutes with intuitive, easy-to-use configuration software
    • Up to eight expansion I/O modules can be added as automation requirements grow or change
    • Innovative live display feature and diagnostics allow for active monitoring of I/O on a PC and assist in troubleshooting and commissioning
    • Ethernet-enabled models can be configured for up to 256 virtual status outputs
    SC26 Series

    Safety Controllers

    With a smaller footprint and addition of Boolean logic functions, the SC26-2 was designed to be easy to use, flexible and efficient.

    • Monitors a variety of input devices such as e-stop buttons, rope pulls, enabling devices, protective safety stops, interlocked guards or gates, optical sensors, two-hand controls, and safety mats
    • Boolean logic functions for programming flexibility
    • Intuitive programming environment for easy implementation
    • Pre-configured safety function blocks including two-hand control, muting and enabling device to simplify application programming
    • Base Controller allows 8 of the 26 inputs to be configured as outputs for efficient terminal use
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