Schneider Electric and Emergency Stop Push Button

In this age of technological advancements, electricity is widely used across the industrial sectors for almost everything. From operating heavy-duty machinery, heating, cooling, and ventilation in industrial facilities to running office equipment like lights and computers, electricity is a vital component used in industrial sectors. However, one of the primary risks involved in industrial sectors is physical injuries caused by machinery, often fatal. Emergency stop pushbuttons are used as common countermeasures in factories to prevent workplace injuries. 

What is an Emergency Stop Push Button?

Emergency stop push buttons are generally used in industrial sectors, especially in factories and manufacturing facilities. The emergency stop push button is a safety device connected to heavy-duty machinery. They serve as fail-safe control switches meant for the safety of any high-load industrial machinery and its users. During emergencies, they are used when the machinery's master switch cannot be accessed on time. Once pressed, the emergency stop push button disrupts any power supply to the machinery immediately and is also known as the kill switch or Estop switch. The emergency stop push buttons are usually coated in red paint to be spotted easily during any emergency.

Since the emergency stop push button serves as a safety measure during critical situations, it is designed for the minimum response rate. They are wired along the control circuit of the machinery. Pressing the emergency stop push button causes the control circuit to break, disrupting the electrical connection. Once pressed, the emergency stop push button will immediately cut off the flow of electricity to the machinery, ensuring immediate safety to both operators and machinery during an emergency shutdown situation.

Emergency stop push buttons are specifically designed for easy handling and can be operated either by a footswitch on the ground level or by hand using a pole handle. When performed by hand, emergency stop push buttons can be of three different types:

• Push-Pull: The push-pull is the most commonly available hand-operated emergency stop push button, known for its direct activation. The push-pull emergency button is pushed in for cutting off power to the machinery and pulled back for release. 
• Twist Release: The twist release button can be activated by pushing in to cut off electrical power to the connected industrial machinery and then twisted to release it.
• Essential Release: Once pushed in to stop the flow of electricity, this type of emergency stop push button can be released using a key.

Though emergency push buttons are commonly used in industrial sectors, different emergency push buttonsare used for commercial and public facilities to lower the chances of risk by stopping the machinery they are connected to. You can spot an emergency stop push button on machinery like elevators, forklifts, other lift equipment, or packaging machines.

Why are emergency stop push buttons used?

While emergency stop push buttons are primarily used as a preventive device to minimize the risks of workplace injuries to operators, they also serve as failsafe control switches for expensive and heavy-duty machinery. The fundamental reasons behind the use of emergency stop push buttons are:

- Avoiding injuries:

The industrial sector, especially with larger, heavy-duty machines, can pose a significant physical threat to operators and workers. The emergency stop push button can help avoid fatal injuries if a person accidentally gets in the way of an active machine and cannot get out in time. The emergency stop switch cuts off power to the device, stopping it before it results in any physical harm.

-Preventing machine malfunction:

The other important role of emergency stop push buttons is the prevention of machine malfunction. If a machine behaves abnormally or shows signs of distress, it must be immediately stopped and examined to prevent any damage to the machine. The emergency stop push button acts as a control switch to cut off power during such situations. The timely prevention of device malfunction can save the company from unnecessary expenses like replacements or repairs and help in avoiding workplace injuries.

How many types is the emergency stop switch?

The emergency stop switches are mainly of three types. These three kinds are explained below.

Push-Pull Emergency Stop Switch

A push-pull emergency stop switch gets activated when the button is pushed to stop the machinery or an entire industrial process immediately. This switch looks like a large, red mushroom. Its design makes it highly visible and easy to use. Also, its design ensures quick access in cases of emergencies. As soon as this button is pressed, it latches into the stop position to cut the power supply to the equipment. To start back the power supply, the operator needs to simply pull the button to its original position.

Twist Release Emergency Stop Switch

The next common type of emergency stop switch is the twist-release emergency stop switch. These switches are also based on push-button mechanics to stop a machinery instantly. However, resetting this switch is different from the push-pull emergency stop switches. These require the operators to twist the button clockwise to release the latch and restart the machinery. Its twist action prevents accidental resetting.

Key Release Emergency Stop Switch

Key release emergency stop switches are the next type. These switches function similar to the above two types. They require a push to stop the machinery. However, resetting is significantly different for these switches. These involve a key mechanism for resetting the switch. Key release switches stay locked when they are stopped. So, a key is used to reset it.

How does an emergency stop button work?

Emergency stop switches play a crucial role in ensuring the safety of operators as well as the machinery. These buttons are wired in series with the machinery’s control circuit. Now, whenever a stop button is pressed, the circuit breaks to stop the machinery equipment by halting its power supply. The button is reset to its position when the machinery is required to start back. The resetting mechanism is different in different types of switches. It can be done through a simple pull, twist, or key.

Emergency stop push button switches from Schneider Electric

Emergency stop push buttons from Schneider Electric are available as mushroom switches. With a diameter of 22mm, these push button starters are easy to locate and even easier to operate. The Harmony XB5 and Preventa XPS are popular series of emergency stop push buttons with trigger action and mechanical latching mechanisms. Available in both plastic and metallic options, these emergency push buttons are durable and resistant to most physical damages, heat, as well as corrosion. These emergency stops push buttons from Schneider Electric significantly improve safety within an industrial space. 

If you have any requirements for electrical components or solutions, do not forget to visit the Schneider Electric online store. From push button starters to home automation systems, Schneider Electric's online store offers you a wide selection of high-performance electrical appliances and components at highly affordable prices. Schneider Electric store is the one-stop destination to answer all your electrical needs and demands.

Read More:- Where To Buy Push Button Switches For Industrial Use

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1. What are two requirements for an emergency stop button?

Ans: Below are the two essential requirements for an emergency stop button-

• A direct opening mechanism to be installed on the NC contact

• A self holding function

Q2. What is the difference between E-Stop and stop button?

Ans: The difference between an e-stop and a stop button is quite simple. An e-stop button is used to halt the operation of machinery in emergency and unexpected situations. On the other hand, a stop button is used for daily operations to stop the machines after the work is done.

Q3. Are emergency stop buttons normally open?

Ans: No, the normal state of stop buttons is closed.

Q4. What action is always taken immediately after pressing the emergency stop button?

Ans: Cutting the power supply is the first step taken immediately after pressing the e-stop button. Operators also take safety protocols.