Abstract: A modular safety device (10) is set forth for the safe deactivation of actuators (22, 24) which form a hazard source, said safety device having a control module (12) with a central safety controller (26), at least one connector module (14) of a first type with inputs for the connection of sensors (18, 20) and outputs for the connection of actuators (22, 24) as well as a serial communications device (28) for the exchange of data between the control module (12) and the connector module (14) based on a first communications protocol, in particular a bus.

Abstract: A safety device (10) is set forth having at least one safety control (14) and having a plurality of outputs (22a-22j) for the safe activation of connected actuators (24a, 24b) and having inputs (18a-18e) for the reception of signals of connected sensors (20a, 20b) as well as having a serial communications device (26), in particular a bus which connects the safety control (14) to the outputs (22a-22j) and to the inputs (18a-18e), to receive and/or to transmit data packets. In this respect, in addition to the serial communication (26) at least one bypass line (36) is provided which connects the safety control (14) or an input (18a-18e) to at least one output (22a-22j) to be able to transmit a deactivation signal independently of the serial communication (26) to an actuator (24a, 24b) connected to the output (22a-22j).

Abstract: In a process for operating an electric device (1), especially an electric motor drive, an electric consumer (6) is fed from an a.c. network in that the input alternating voltage that is rectified and the intermediate circuit voltage so obtained is applied to the half bridges of a bridge circuit. Each of the half bridges has two bridge arms (7a, 7b) in which in any given case at least one semiconductor switch (8a, 8b) is arranged, to which control signals are applied through an actuation circuit (9a, 9b) fed from an auxiliary supply voltage source (16). Each of the bridge arms is connected to one of the poles (4) of the intermediate circuit voltage (5), and a test shutdown of the auxiliary supply voltage is applied to the actuation circuit (9a, 9b) of this semiconductor switch (8a, 8b) during a non-actuation phase of the semiconductor switch (8a, 8b) arranged in the relevant bridge arm.

Abstract: In a process for operating an electronically commutated electric motor (2), a signal value signal for the commutation position of the rotor of the electric motor (2) is readied, and the windings of the electric motor (2) are supplied with current such that the rotor of the electric motor (2) is positioned on the commutation position specified by the standard value signal. A measuring signal for the position of the rotor of the electric motor (2) is recorded, evaluated and compared with the standard value signal for the commutation position. The current supply of the windings of the electric motor (2) is interrupted if the position measuring signal and/or the standard value signal for the commutation position exceed a specified highest value, and/or if the differential signal between the position measuring signal and the standard value signal for the commutation signal lie outside a specified tolerance range.