The Siemens Industry Automation Division now presents Sirius 3SK1, a flexible andmodular range of safety relays. The component portfolio has been greatly reducedcompared to its predecessor, thus simplifying selection and use. For example, differentbasic units are no longer required for mechanical and electronic sensors. 3SK1 is part ofSiemens’ Safety Integrated concept. Safety Integrated was devised to make engineeringmuch simpler and to increase the availability of automation systems. This concept cuts thetime required to implement new machines and plants and to adapt them to newrequirements.
Siemens is now offering the new Sirius 3SK1 safety relays for monitoring and control systems withsimple safety requirements, such as emergency stop or protective door monitoring. The productrange takes the form of a clearly structured modular system so that plant operators can quickly,simply and economically assemble an appropriate and safe configuration. The Standard andAdvanced basic units are available with relay or semiconductor outputs. This means that Sirius3SK1 is able to efficiently cover every kind of application situation. The system portfolio is roundedoff by modules with additional connections for actuators or sensors and a power supply.
The Standard basic units are characterized by their simple handling and variable functionality. Bothmechanical and electronic sensors can be connected to the safety relay by means of screw-type orspring-loaded terminals. DIP switches on the front of the enclosure can be used for parameterassignment so there is no need for software. Should there not be enough connections for actuatorson the Standard basic unit, the user can flexibly connect additional output expansions from themodular system.
The Advanced basic units feature all the product characteristics of the Standard version and not only allow the addition of modules with output expansions, but also of modules with input expansions for additional sensors. Another advantage of the Advanced basic unit: using device connectors developed by Siemens, the basic units and expansion modules can be quickly and simply plugged on without laborious manual wiring. That means there is no chance of any wiring errors occurring and commissioning is speeded up. Siemens offers a version with a rotary encoder switch for applications that require a delayed safe disconnection of actuators. There is also a Mini version of the Advanced basic unit. At just 17.5 mm wide, the Mini is ideal for use in a confined space.