US-based Rockwell Automation, one of the world's largest companies dedicated to industrial automation, has introduced the Allen-Bradley Guardmaster Lifeline 5 cable-pull switch, the most advanced cable-pull switch on the market.

The new switch is the first solid-state, cable-pull E-stop in the industry with patented, microprocessor-based technology, said a statement from the company.

Traditional cable-pull switches are prone to nuisance trips and unreliable operation due to temperature-based changes in cable tension, it said.

The solid-state operation of the Lifeline 5 cable-pull switch offers an electronic, rope-monitoring system to compensate for thermal expansion and cable sag, it added.

The Lifeline 5 switch provides constant access to the E-stop function, stopping a machine hazard with a simple pull of the attached cable. The patented, microprocessor-based solution simplifies setup and allows for more efficient maintenance and troubleshooting.

The easy-to-see LED indicators assist in cable tensioning for quick, precise setup while providing switch status and diagnostics during operation.

Available in die-cast aluminium or rugged, stainless-steel housings with IP66 and IP67 environmental ratings, respectively, the Lifeline 5 switch helps optimize productivity by combining maximum reliability with diagnostics that can help prevent unplanned downtime.

The die-cast aluminium model also offers an optional, integrated E-stop button for even greater application flexibility.

Steve Tambeau, product manager, Rockwell Automation, said: “Because the Lifeline 5 cable-pull switch is a solid-state switch, there is no mechanical wear that is often associated with traditional switches.”

“That means increased uptime and more reliable safety function over a longer duty cycle,” he added. – TradeArabia News Service