Abstract: A switching device for switching an electrical load on or off has an internal energy store which, when the supply voltage is switched off, may deliver the excitation energy, necessary for controlling electromechanical switches, directly to at least one of the electromechanical switches for a predetermined time period. For this purpose, a control unit appropriately controls at least two switching units. The switching units are each part of an energy flow limiting device, in particular an optocoupler, in order to achieve a sufficiently high separation, in terms of energy, between a first terminal and a second terminal. The switching device also has an input stage that may provide a digital control signal for the control unit, which signals the application or the non-application of a supply voltage.

Abstract: A safety switching device, with which a safety-related device, can be set into a safe state. The safety switching device has a microprocessor or microcontroller, which can set an electric drive to be protected into a safe state both if an emergency circuit breaker, protective door switch, and/or two-hand switch is activated and also if there is faulty operation of the safety-related device or electric drive. For this purpose, the microprocessor is implemented such that it can determine from at least one analog signal to be measured whether a predetermined parameter lies outside a predetermined operating range. In addition, the microprocessor can be a component of a safety device which is constructed for multiple-channel control of a safety-related electric drive. In this way, the safety switching device can respond to several safety functions independent of each other in order to set an electric drive into a safe state.

Abstract: The invention relates to a monitoring system, having an output module for generating a control signal in response to an input signal, a monitoring module for generating the input signal for the output module, an output device for outputting an output signal in response to the control signal, and a feedthrough device for preventing outputting of the output signal. According to the invention, the monitoring module is designed to instruct the feedthrough device to prevent outputting of the output signal when there is a deviation between the control signal and a control signal which is expected on the basis of the input signal.

Abstract: An electronic expansion module which has at least one circuit board, that has a contact region with contacts for mechanical and electrical contact-making with mating contacts connected to the circuit board of the expansion module and a circuit board recess formed such that, with the expansion module inserted into an opening formed on a side of the housing of an electrical field device for use in industrial control, the circuit board of the expansion module does not have any conductive connection to the electrical field device except in the contact region so that reliable electrical isolation between the interior of the device and the user is ensured.

Abstract: A safety switching device, with which a safety-related device, can be set into a safe state. The safety switching device has a microprocessor or microcontroller, which can set an electric drive to be protected into a safe state both if an emergency circuit breaker, protective door switch, and/or two-hand switch is activated and also if there is faulty operation of the safety-related device or electric drive. For this purpose, the microprocessor is implemented such that it can determine from at least one analog signal to be measured whether a predetermined parameter lies outside a predetermined operating range. In addition, the microprocessor can be a component of a safety device which is constructed for multiple-channel control of a safety-related electric drive. In this way, the safety switching device can respond to several safety functions independent of each other in order to set an electric drive into a safe state.

Abstract: A device (10) for the detection of current asymmetries in three-phase circuits (L1, L2, L3) is provided. This device (10) has a first current measuring mechanism (S1) for the measurement of first phase (L1) and a second current measuring mechanism (S3) for the measurement of a second phase (L3). Furthermore, the device has a computing unit (ALU) which determines a current symmetry value (N2, 3; N1, 2) of the third phase (L2) relative to the first phase (L1) or second phase (L3) from the measured first phase and from the measured second phase. Moreover, an associated method is also provided.

Abstract: A safety switching device, with which a safety-related device, can be set into a safe state. The safety switching device has a microprocessor or microcontroller, which can set an electric drive to be protected into a safe state both if an emergency circuit breaker, protective door switch, and/or two-hand switch is activated and also if there is faulty operation of the safety-related device or electric drive. For this purpose, the microprocessor is implemented such that it can determine from at least one analog signal to be measured whether a predetermined parameter lies outside a predetermined operating range. In addition, the microprocessor can be a component of a safety device which is constructed for multiple-channel control of a safety-related electric drive. In this way, the safety switching device can respond to several safety functions independent of each other in order to set an electric drive into a safe state.

Abstract: A safety switching device, with which a safety-related device, can be set into a safe state. The safety switching device has a microprocessor or microcontroller, which can set an electric drive to be protected into a safe state both if an emergency circuit breaker, protective door switch, and/or two-hand switch is activated and also if there is faulty operation of the safety-related device or electric drive. For this purpose, the microprocessor is implemented such that it can determine from at least one analog signal to be measured whether a predetermined parameter lies outside a predetermined operating range. In addition, the microprocessor can be a component of a safety device which is constructed for multiple-channel control of a safety-related electric drive. In this way, the safety switching device can respond to several safety functions independent of each other in order to set an electric drive into a safe state.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and system for secure transmission of process data to be transmitted cyclically in a cyclical data transmission to be performed protocol-specifically via a transmission channel between a user functioning as a master and at least one user functioning as a slave that are connected to the transmission channel. Within a transmission protocol frame, a time slot that can always accommodate the same number of bits independently of the data to be transmitted is assigned to each slave during a data transmission cycle. For safety-relevant process data that is to be transmitted during a data transmission cycle from a slave to at least one additional user, or that is to be transmitted during a data transmission cycle from a user to at least one slave, additional first protection data for recognizing error-free transmission of this safety-relevant process data is generated and transmitted in each case.

Abstract: A safety switching device, with which a safety-related device, can be set into a safe state. The safety switching device has a microprocessor or microcontroller, which can set an electric drive to be protected into a safe state both if an emergency circuit breaker, protective door switch, and/or two-hand switch is activated and also if there is faulty operation of the safety-related device or electric drive. For this purpose, the microprocessor is implemented such that it can determine from at least one analog signal to be measured whether a predetermined parameter lies outside a predetermined operating range. In addition, the microprocessor can be a component of a safety device which is constructed for multiple-channel control of a safety-related electric drive. In this way, the safety switching device can respond to several safety functions independent of each other in order to set an electric drive into a safe state.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for the transmission of cyclic and acyclic data by means of a transmission channel between at least two user devices connected to the transmission channel, with a protocol-specific cyclic data transmission being carried out at least between one user device functioning as a master and at least one user device functioning as a slave. During an impending transmission cycle, data to be transmitted is checked against corresponding data of a preceding cycle with regard to redundancy and currency. Upon detection of an impending transmission cycle for which redundant data without new information content is provided, acyclic data is inserted in lieu of said data in the data field provided for said data. The transmission channel effectively counteracts disadvantages previously resulting from a ring structure and a linear structure, and combines advantages of the one topology group with advantages of the other topology group.

Abstract: A device (10) for the detection of current asymmetries in three-phase circuits (L1, L2, L3) is provided. This device (10) has a first current measuring mechanism (S1) for the measurement of a first phase (L1) and a second current measuring mechanism (S3) for the measurement of a second phase (L3). Furthermore, the device has a computing unit (ALU) which determines a current symmetry value (N2, 3; N1, 2) of the third phase (L2) relative to the first phase (L1) or second phase (L3) from the measured first phase and from the measured second phase. Moreover, an associated method is also provided.

Abstract: An electronic expansion module which has at least one circuit board, that has a contact region with contacts for mechanical and electrical contact-making with mating contacts connected to the circuit board of the expansion module and a circuit board recess formed such that, with the expansion module inserted into an opening formed on a side of the housing of an electrical field device for use in industrial control, the circuit board of the expansion module does not have any conductive connection to the electrical field device except in the contact region so that reliable electrical isolation between the interior of the device and the user is ensured.

Abstract: An electrical field device for use in industrial control with a housing, with at least one input, at least one output and an electronic circuit with a microcontroller, a memory and a circuit board. The electrical field device is easily adapted to different functions and conditions of use in that an opening is formed on one side of the housing for insertion of an electronic expansion module which has at least one circuit board, and in that the circuit board has a contact region with contacts for mechanical and electrical contact-making with mating contacts connected to the circuit board of the expansion, module and a circuit board recess formed such that an inserted expansion module does not have any conductive connection to the field device except in the contact region so that reliable electrical isolation between the interior of the device and the user is ensured.

Abstract: The invention relates to a monitoring system, having an output module for generating a control signal in response to an input signal, a monitoring module for generating the input signal for the output module, an output device for outputting an output signal in response to the control signal, and a feedthrough device for preventing outputting of the output signal. According to the invention, the monitoring module is designed to instruct the feedthrough device to prevent outputting of the output signal when there is a deviation between the control signal and a control signal which is expected on the basis of the input signal.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and system for secure transmission of process data to be transmitted cyclically in a cyclical data transmission to be performed protocol-specifically via a transmission channel between a user functioning as a master and at least one user functioning as a slave that are connected to the transmission channel. Within a transmission protocol frame, a time slot that can always accommodate the same number of bits independently of the data to be transmitted is assigned to each slave during a data transmission cycle. For safety-relevant process data that is to be transmitted during a data transmission cycle from a slave to at least one additional user, or that is to be transmitted during a data transmission cycle from a user to at least one slave, additional first protection data for recognizing error-free transmission of this safety-relevant process data is generated and transmitted in each case.

Abstract: One purpose of the invention is to identify a way of transmitting data by means of a transmission channel which effectively counteracts disadvantages previously resulting from a ring structure and a linear structure, and combines advantages of the one topology group with advantages of the other topology group.

Abstract: The invention relates to a safety switching device, with which a safety-related device, preferably an electric drive, can be set into a safe state. The safety switching device (900) has a microprocessor or microcontroller (822), which can set, for example, an electric drive to be protected into a safe state both if an emergency circuit breaker, protective door switch, and/or two-hand switch is activated and also if there is faulty operation of the safety-related device or electric drive. For this purpose, the microprocessor (822) is preferably implemented such that it can determine from at least one analog signal to be measured whether a predetermined parameter, preferably the amplitude of the analog signal, lies outside a predetermined operating range. In addition, the microprocessor (822) can be a component of a safety device (810) which is constructed for multiple-channel control of a safety-related electric drive.

Abstract: An electrical field device for use in industrial control with a housing, with at least one input, at least one output and an electronic circuit with a microcontroller, a memory and a circuit board. The electrical field device is easily adapted to different functions and conditions of use in that an opening is formed on one side of the housing for insertion of an electronic expansion module which has at least one circuit board, and in that the circuit board has a contact region with contacts for mechanical and electrical contact-making with mating contacts connected to the circuit board of the expansion, module and a circuit board recess formed such that an inserted expansion module does not have any conductive connection to the field device except in the contact region so that reliable electrical isolation between the interior of the device and the user is ensured.