Abstract: A cable pull switch includes a polychotomous sensor configured to provide a reading of at least one of a plurality of values, the reading corresponding to a tension on a pull cable or a linear displacement of an end of a pull cable. A processor coupled to the polychotomous cable pull sensor configured to determine a rate of change of the value of the reading from the sensor and determine an occurrence of a cable pull event, the determination based on the determined rate of change of the value, and determine whether the rate of change of the value of an electrical resistance through the polychotomous cable pull sensor is below a threshold rate of change value, and adjust an upper pull threshold value to a new upper pull threshold value that is based on a present reading of the value of the electrical resistance through the strain gauge.

Abstract: A cable pull switch includes a polychotomous sensor configured to provide a reading of at least one of a plurality of values, the reading corresponding to a tension on a pull cable or a linear displacement of an end of a pull cable. A processor coupled to the polychotomous cable pull sensor configured to determine a rate of change of the value of the reading from the sensor and determine an occurrence of a cable pull event, the determination based on the determined rate of change of the value, and determine whether the rate of change of the value of an electrical resistance through the polychotomous cable pull sensor is below a threshold rate of change value, and adjust an upper pull threshold value to a new upper pull threshold value that is based on a present reading of the value of the electrical resistance through the strain gauge.

Abstract: A housing for an industrial sensor comprises integral U-shaped pockets configured to engage with attachment features of a complementary mounting bracket. The bracket comprises an overhang feature on a second end and a snap feature on an opposing first end. The housing can be mounted to the bracket by inserting a mounting boss formed within one of the U-shaped pockets underneath the overhang feature of the bracket, and pressing the housing against the bracket to cause the snap feature to engage with another mounting boss formed in the other U-shaped pocket. These mounting features allow the housing to be mounted easily and quickly without the use for additional tools. The housing can also be quickly removed from the bracket by pressing an extended tab near the snap feature to facilitate disengagement of the housing from the bracket.

Abstract: A housing for an industrial sensor comprises integral U-shaped pockets configured to engage with attachment features of a complementary mounting bracket. The bracket comprises an overhang feature on a second end and a snap feature on an opposing first end. The housing can be mounted to the bracket by inserting a mounting boss formed within one of the U-shaped pockets underneath the overhang feature of the bracket, and pressing the housing against the bracket to cause the snap feature to engage with another mounting boss formed in the other U-shaped pocket. These mounting features allow the housing to be mounted easily and quickly without the use for additional tools. The housing can also be quickly removed from the bracket by pressing an extended tab near the snap feature to facilitate disengagement of the housing from the bracket.

Abstract: An apparatus for an imbalance test includes a strain measurement module that measures a strain voltage across terminals of a strain gauge. The strain voltage is representative of an amount of force on the strain gauge. The apparatus includes a test measurement module that measures a test voltage across the terminals of the strain gauge while a test resistor is connected in parallel with a resistor of the strain gauge. The test resistor is connected while the test measurement module measures the test voltage and is disconnected while the strain module measures strain voltage. The apparatus includes an average module that calculates an average strain voltage from two strain voltage measurements. The strain voltages are measured preceding and after the test voltage measurement. The apparatus includes a difference module that determines a difference voltage. The difference voltage is a difference between the average strain voltage and the test voltage.

Abstract: A cable pull switch includes a polychotomous sensor configured to provide a reading of at least one of a plurality of values, the reading corresponding to a tension on a pull cable or a linear displacement of an end of a pull cable. A processor coupled to the polychotomous cable pull sensor configured to determine a rate of change of the value of the reading from the sensor and determine an occurrence of a cable pull event, the determination based on the determined rate of change of the value, and determine whether the rate of change of the value of an electrical resistance through the polychotomous cable pull sensor is below a threshold rate of change value, and adjust an upper pull threshold value to a new upper pull threshold value that is based on a present reading of the value of the electrical resistance through the strain gauge.

Abstract: A cable pull switch includes a polychotomous sensor configured to provide a reading of at least one of a plurality of values, the reading corresponding to a tension on a pull cable or a linear displacement of an end of a pull cable. A processing device is configured to receive the reading, determine whether a value of the reading is outside of a non-tripped value window, a limit edge being a pull threshold value, and responsively generate an output signal indicative of a cable pull event. Other features and improvements are described.

Abstract: An apparatus for an imbalance test includes a strain measurement module that measures a strain voltage across terminals of a strain gauge. The strain voltage is representative of an amount of force on the strain gauge. The apparatus includes a test measurement module that measures a test voltage across the terminals of the strain gauge while a test resistor is connected in parallel with a resistor of the strain gauge. The test resistor is connected while the test measurement module measures the test voltage and is disconnected while the strain module measures strain voltage. The apparatus includes an average module that calculates an average strain voltage from two strain voltage measurements. The strain voltages are measured preceding and after the test voltage measurement. The apparatus includes a difference module that determines a difference voltage. The difference voltage is a difference between the average strain voltage and the test voltage.

Abstract: A cable pull switch includes a polychotomous sensor configured to provide a reading of at least one of a plurality of values, the reading corresponding to a tension on a pull cable or a linear displacement of an end of a pull cable. A processing device is configured to receive the reading, determine whether a value of the reading is outside of a non-tripped value window, a limit edge being a pull threshold value, and responsively generate an output signal indicative of a cable pull event. Other features and improvements are described.

Abstract: An industrial-enabled mobile electronic device, such as a personal mobile phone or tablet computer, allows a user to wirelessly interact with industrial devices for a variety of purposes. The mobile electronic device can communicate with an industrial device to read and write configuration settings, read and view log data, send commands to the industrial device, and other such functions. The mobile electronic device can perform various types of analysis on images and video of the industrial device captured by the mobile electronic device, including identifying and translating a model or device number printed on the device, or translating error codes displayed by the industrial device. The mobile electronic device can also retrieve additional information about the industrial device or the device's stored data via interaction with a remote technical support service, and can be used to facilitate dialog with a remote technical support person.

Abstract: An industrial-enabled mobile electronic device, such as a personal mobile phone or tablet computer, allows a user to wirelessly interact with industrial devices for a variety of purposes. The mobile electronic device can communicate with an industrial device to read and write configuration settings, read and view log data, send commands to the industrial device, and other such functions. The mobile electronic device can perform various types of analysis on images and video of the industrial device captured by the mobile electronic device, including identifying and translating a model or device number printed on the device, or translating error codes displayed by the industrial device. The mobile electronic device can also retrieve additional information about the industrial device or the device's stored data via interaction with a remote technical support service, and can be used to facilitate dialog with a remote technical support person.

Abstract: A safety arrangement for use with a piece of equipment. The safety arrangement includes a signal generating unit for generating an optical signal, an elongate element, and a signal detecting unit. The elongate element is disposed along, about, around or through the piece of equipment and is capable of transmitting an optical signal. The signal detecting unit detects an optical signal. The signal generating unit is connected to the signal detecting unit by the elongate element such that the signal detecting unit is in optical communication with the signal detecting unit. The signal detecting unit is arranged to detect a change in the optical signal transmitted by the elongate element as a consequence of movement of the elongate element and, upon detection of the change in the signal, the detecting unit is configured to effect a change in the operation of the piece of equipment.

Abstract: A safety arrangement for use with a piece of equipment. The safety arrangement includes a signal generating unit for generating an optical signal, an elongate element, and a signal detecting unit. The elongate element is disposed along, about, around or through the piece of equipment and is capable of transmitting an optical signal. The signal detecting unit detects an optical signal. The signal generating unit is connected to the signal detecting unit by the elongate element such that the signal detecting unit is in optical communication with the signal detecting unit. The signal detecting unit is arranged to detect a change in the optical signal transmitted by the elongate element as a consequence of movement of the elongate element and, upon detection of the change in the signal, the detecting unit is configured to effect a change in the operation of the piece of equipment.

Abstract: A safety switch assembly includes a body constructed to be mounted in a support structure and generally enclose the operative structure of the safety switch. The safety switch assembly includes an actuator constructed to pass through one of the support structure or the base to operatively engage the operative structure of the safety switch to control the safety switches electrical orientation to communicate or terminate communication of electrical power to a device equipped with the safety switch.

Abstract: A safety arrangement for use with a piece of equipment. The safety arrangement includes a signal generating unit for generating an optical signal, an elongate element, and a signal detecting unit. The elongate element is disposed along, about, around or through the piece of equipment and is capable of transmitting an optical signal. The signal detecting unit detects an optical signal. The signal generating unit is connected to the signal detecting unit by the elongate element such that the signal detecting unit is in optical communication with the signal detecting unit. The signal detecting unit is arranged to detect a change in the optical signal transmitted by the elongate element as a consequence of movement of the elongate element and, upon detection of the change in the signal, the detecting unit is configured to effect a change in the operation of the piece of equipment.

Abstract: A safety switch includes a cable having a first end connected to a cable translator moveable between a disengaged position and an engaged position, the cable having a second end for connection to a remote lock and power supply switch.

Abstract: A safety arrangement for use with a piece of equipment. The safety arrangement includes a signal generating unit for generating an optical signal, an elongate element, and a signal detecting unit. The elongate element is disposed along, about, around or through the piece of equipment and is capable of transmitting an optical signal. The signal detecting unit detects an optical signal. The signal generating unit is connected to the signal detecting unit by the elongate element such that the signal detecting unit is in optical communication with the signal detecting unit. The signal detecting unit is arranged to detect a change in the optical signal transmitted by the elongate element as a consequence of movement of the elongate element and, upon detection of the change in the signal, the detecting unit is configured to effect a change in the operation of the piece of equipment.

Abstract: A safety switch that includes a body, a number of contacts, a movable plunger, a signal emitter, and a signal detector. The signal emitter and signal detector are positioned proximate the plunger and configured to assess the operability of the safety switch. The plunger is configured to selectively allow or prevent passage of a signal emitted from the signal emitter toward the signal detector depending on a position of the plunger. Control circuitry in connection with the signal detector is arranged to generate a control signal based on the detection of the emitted signal and configured to control operation of the safety switch independent of the relative position of the number of contacts.