Abstract: To enable an increase in a service life of a modular safety relay circuit, a modular safety relay circuit is provided for the safe switching on and/or off of at least one machine comprising at least one relay module to which the at least one machine is connected, wherein the relay module comprises at least two relay contacts that are connected in series and that can be brought from a first position into a second position and vice versa; and wherein one relay contact switches in advance by a delay of the other relay contact; and a control unit controlling the relay contacts that alternatingly controls the relay contacts in accordance with a state detection of the relay contacts with the delay.

Abstract: To enable an increase in a service life of a modular safety relay circuit, a modular safety relay circuit is provided for the safe switching on and/or off of at least one machine comprising at least one relay module to which the at least one machine is connected, wherein the relay module comprises at least two relay contacts that are connected in series and that can be brought from a first position into a second position and vice versa; and wherein one relay contact switches in advance by a delay of the other relay contact; and a control unit controlling the relay contacts that alternatingly controls the relay contacts in accordance with a state detection of the relay contacts with the delay.

Abstract: To avoid additional costs, in particular by replacing a switching element too early or by expensive monitoring measures thereof, a control apparatus for controlling a switching element is provided. The control apparatus has an operating unit for setting a load stage at which the switching element can be operated, a control unit for calculating a first numerical value which reflects expected switching cycles of the switching element estimated on the basis of the set load stage and which corresponds to an expected service life of the switching element in dependence on the set load stage, and for determining a second numerical value which reflects effected switching cycles of the switching element. Information from a difference between the first and second numerical values or from a quotient from the second numerical value to the first numerical value during operation of the switching element is provided to a user.

Abstract: Multiple safety related participants are arranged along a bus line in such a way that both a forward test signal path and a return test signal path run through the same safety related participants and the safety related participants are adapted in such a way that the occurrence of a non-secure state of their protective device brings about an interruption of the test signal path. A termination element connects the forward test signal path to the return test signal path. The safety unit is configured to transmit an output signal at its output and the termination element is configured to receive the output signal from the forward test signal path and to output a test signal to the return test signal path. The test signal is changed with respect to the received output signal in dependence on the received output signal.

Abstract: To avoid additional costs, in particular by replacing a switching element too early or by expensive monitoring measures thereof, a control apparatus for controlling a switching element is provided. The control apparatus has an operating unit for setting a load stage at which the switching element can be operated, a control unit for calculating a first numerical value which reflects expected switching cycles of the switching element estimated on the basis of the set load stage and which corresponds to an expected service life of the switching element in dependence on the set load stage, and for determining a second numerical value which reflects effected switching cycles of the switching element. Information from a difference between the first and second numerical values or from a quotient from the second numerical value to the first numerical value during operation of the switching element is provided to a user.

Abstract: Multiple safety related participants are arranged along a bus line in such a way that both a forward test signal path and a return test signal path run through the same safety related participants and the safety related participants are adapted in such a way that the occurrence of a non-secure state of their protective device brings about an interruption of the test signal path. A termination element connects the forward test signal path to the return test signal path. The safety unit is configured to transmit an output signal at its output and the termination element is configured to receive the output signal from the forward test signal path and to output a test signal to the return test signal path. The test signal is changed with respect to the received output signal in dependence on the received output signal.