Abstract: An input circuit for reading in an analog input signal of a sensor comprises: first and second input ports connectable to the sensor; a first current-measuring signal converter connected to the first input port and comprising a current-measuring apparatus to determine a first output signal from the analog input signal; a current-limiting apparatus inside the first current-measuring signal converter for limiting a maximum current flowing through the first current-measuring signal converter; and a second current-measuring signal converter connected to the second input port and comprising a current-measuring apparatus to determine a second output signal from the analog input signal, wherein the first and second current-measuring signal converters are connected in series; and a testing apparatus for comparing the first and second output signals to detect faults of the first and second current-measuring signal converters in response to deviations between the first and second output signals exceeding a limit value.

Abstract: A head module for a modular control device includes redundant channel units, each including a processing unit and multiple failure revelation units. The head module includes a bus disconnection unit configured to shut down a communication bus. The failure revelation units are configured to monitor a state of the channel units. The processing units are configured to continuously stimulate the failure revelation units. At least one of the processing units is coupled to signal wires of the communication bus to provide a communication link to one or more peripheral modules of the modular control device. The failure revelation units are further configured to control, based on the stimulation and the monitoring, the bus disconnection unit.

Abstract: A modular control apparatus, having a head module, and at least one supply module and peripheral module arranged on the head module and having a bus structure. The supply module and the peripheral module have a base module part, an electronic module part and a connection module part. The base module parts are arranged next to one another and provide the bus structure that electrically couples the head module, the supply module and the peripheral module to one another. The supply module additionally comprises an electrical line that runs from the connection module part through the electronic module part to the base module part and connects the supply connection of the supply module to the bus structure. An overload identification unit is arranged at the electrical line and determines a parameter of the electrical line and produces a warning signal if the parameter exceeds a threshold value.

Abstract: An input circuit for reading in an analog input signal of a sensor comprises: first and second input ports connectable to the sensor; a first current-measuring signal converter connected to the first input port and comprising a current-measuring apparatus to determine a first output signal from the analog input signal; a current-limiting apparatus inside the first current-measuring signal converter for limiting a maximum current flowing through the first current-measuring signal converter; and a second current-measuring signal converter connected to the second input port and comprising a current-measuring apparatus to determine a second output signal from the analog input signal, wherein the first and second current-measuring signal converters are connected in series; and a testing apparatus for comparing the first and second output signals to detect faults of the first and second current-measuring signal converters in response to deviations between the first and second output signals exceeding a limit value.

Abstract: A modular control apparatus, having a head module, and at least one supply module and peripheral module arranged on the head module and having a bus structure. The supply module and the peripheral module have a base module part, an electronic module part and a connection module part. The base module parts are arranged next to one another and provide the bus structure that electrically couples the head module, the supply module and the peripheral module to one another. The supply module additionally comprises an electrical line that runs from the connection module part through the electronic module part to the base module part and connects the supply connection of the supply module to the bus structure. An overload identification unit is arranged at the electrical line and determines a parameter of the electrical line and produces a warning signal if the parameter exceeds a threshold value.

Abstract: A modular control apparatus, having a head module, and at least one supply module and peripheral module arranged on the head module and having a bus structure. The supply module and the peripheral module have a base module part, an electronic module part and a connection module part. The base module parts are arranged next to one another and provide the bus structure that electrically couples the head module, the supply module and the peripheral module to one another. The supply module additionally comprises an electrical line that runs from the connection module part through the electronic module part to the base module part and connects the supply connection of the supply module to the bus structure. An overload identification unit is arranged at the electrical line and determines a parameter of the electrical line and produces a warning signal if the parameter exceeds a threshold value.

Abstract: A fail-safe safety switching device comprises first and second input channels for receiving first and second input signals, and a first testing arrangement for testing the first and second input channels. The first input channel comprises a first entry circuit and a first threshold element connected via a first coupling element to a second testing arrangement and a first transition circuit in a galvanically isolated manner. The second input channel comprises a second entry circuit and a second threshold element connected via a second coupling element to a third testing arrangement and a second transition circuit in a galvanically isolated manner. The first testing arrangement comprises a third coupling element, a ground terminal and a group testing terminal. The first and second threshold elements are connected to the ground terminal and via the third coupling element to the group testing terminal in a galvanically isolated manner.

Abstract: A safety switching apparatus for switching-on or switching-off a technical installation has a first input for receiving a first clock signal via a feed line, said first clock signal having a first clock frequency. A failsafe control/evaluation unit processes the first clock signal in a failsafe manner in order to generate an output signal for switching-on or switching-off the technical installation in response to the first clock signal. A clock reference provides a second clock signal having a second clock frequency. A current-increasing circuit having a switching element is arranged for selectively increasing an input current into the first input. The switching element is coupled to the clock reference and selectively activates or deactivates the current-increasing circuit in response to the second clock frequency.

Abstract: A safety switching device for switching on or off a hazardous installation in a failsafe manner has a failsafe control/evaluating unit and a power supply for providing at least one operating voltage for the control/evaluating unit. The power supply has a voltage converter for converting an input voltage into an output voltage of a defined output voltage value. The output voltage corresponds to the operating voltage. The power supply has a fault detector for detecting a fault condition of the voltage converter. The fault detector has a comparator for comparing a currently existent output voltage with a defined reference voltage. The fault detector provides a fault condition signal upon detection of a predetermined deviation from the reference voltage. The power supply also has a switch which disconnects the input voltage of the voltage converter when the fault condition signal is present.

Abstract: A modular control apparatus, having a head module, and at least one supply module and peripheral module arranged on the head module and having a bus structure. The supply module and the peripheral module have a base module part, an electronic module part and a connection module part. The base module parts are arranged next to one another and provide the bus structure that electrically couples the head module, the supply module and the peripheral module to one another. The supply module additionally comprises an electrical line that runs from the connection module part through the electronic module part to the base module part and connects the supply connection of the supply module to the bus structure. An overload identification unit is arranged at the electrical line and determines a parameter of the electrical line and produces a warning signal if the parameter exceeds a threshold value.

Abstract: A fail-safe safety switching device comprises first and second input channels for receiving first and second input signals, and a first testing arrangement for testing the first and second input channels. The first input channel comprises a first entry circuit and a first threshold element connected via a first coupling element to a second testing arrangement and a first transition circuit in a galvanically isolated manner. The second input channel comprises a second entry circuit and a second threshold element connected via a second coupling element to a third testing arrangement and a second transition circuit in a galvanically isolated manner. The first testing arrangement comprises a third coupling element, a ground terminal and a group testing terminal. The first and second threshold elements are connected to the ground terminal and via the third coupling element to the group testing terminal in a galvanically isolated manner.

Abstract: A safety switching apparatus for switching-on or switching-off a technical installation has a first input for receiving a first clock signal via a feed line, said first clock signal having a first clock frequency. A failsafe control/evaluation unit processes the first clock signal in a failsafe manner in order to generate an output signal for switching-on or switching-off the technical installation in response to the first clock signal. A clock reference provides a second clock signal having a second clock frequency. A current-increasing circuit having a switching element is arranged for selectively increasing an input current into the first input. The switching element is coupled to the clock reference and selectively activates or deactivates the current-increasing circuit in response to the second clock frequency.

Abstract: A safety switching device for switching on or off a hazardous installation in a failsafe manner has a failsafe control/evaluating unit and a power supply for providing at least one operating voltage for the control/evaluating unit. The power supply has a voltage converter for converting an input voltage into an output voltage of a defined output voltage value. The output voltage corresponds to the operating voltage. The power supply has a fault detector for detecting a fault condition of the voltage converter. The fault detector has a comparator for comparing a currently existent output voltage with a defined reference voltage. The fault detector provides a fault condition signal upon detection of a predetermined deviation from the reference voltage. The power supply also has a switch which disconnects the input voltage of the voltage converter when the fault condition signal is present.

Abstract: A safety switching device for a modular failsafe control system for switching on and safely switching off an electrical load, having at least one switching element which is subject to wear and is designed to carry out a switching process by means of a control signal which is generated by the control system, in order to switch the electrical load, comprising an apparatus for detection of the number of switching processes carried out and having a memory apparatus for permanent failsafe storage of the detected number.

Abstract: A safety switching device for a modular failsafe control system for switching on and safely switching off an electrical load, having at least one switching element which is subject to wear and is designed to carry out a switching process by means of a control signal which is generated by the control system, in order to switch the electrical load, comprising an apparatus for detection of the number of switching processes carried out and having a memory apparatus for permanent failsafe storage of the detected number.

Abstract: A safety switching apparatus for safe disconnection of a load in an automated installation has at least one input for receiving an analog input signal. It further has an A/D converter which converts the analog input signal to a digital signal. An evaluation and control unit controls at least one output switching element as a function of the digital signal. An analog signal combiner is designed to superimpose an analog test signal on the analog input signal in order to form an analog combination signal. The analog combination signal is supplied to the A/D converter. The operation of the safety switching apparatus can then be monitored for faults by means of the analog test signal.

Abstract: A safety switching apparatus for safe disconnection of a load in an automated installation has at least one input for receiving an analog input signal. It further has an A/D converter which converts the analog input signal to a digital signal. An evaluation and control unit controls at least one output switching element as a function of the digital signal. An analog signal combiner is designed to superimpose an analog test signal on the analog input signal in order to form an analog combination signal. The analog combination signal is supplied to the A/D converter. The operation of the safety switching apparatus can then be monitored for faults by means of the analog test signal.

Abstract: A safety switching apparatus for safely disconnecting an electrical load, such as an electrical machine, has at least one output switch with at least two switching positions. The output switch is for interrupting an external power supply path to the load. The safety switching apparatus further has a control unit which controls the switching position of the output switch. The control unit is capable of monitoring the actual switching position of the output switch by means of an RF test signal which is transmitted from an RF generator to the output switch.

Abstract: A safety switching module for safely switching-off an electrical load (43), comprising a first and a second switching control device (20A, 20B); a first and a second switching element (24.1, 24.2) both being series-connected with each other and forming a first current path (26.1) for supplying the load, whereby the first switching element (24.1) can be controlled by the first switching control device (20A) and the second switching element (24.2) can be controlled by the second switching control device (20B); and an evaluation and control device (12) for testing the switching-off ability of at least one switching element. A third and a fourth switching element (24.3, 24.4) are provided which are connected to each other in series, are connected in parallel to the series connection consisting of the first and second switching elements (24.1, 24.2) and form a second current path (26.2), the third switching element (24.

Abstract: A method for programming a failsafe control system comprises the steps of defining logical interconnections between input signals of the failsafe control system and of assigning interconnection products to output signals of the failsafe control system. The steps of defining and assigning take place on the basis of predefined function-specific program modules, which are selected from a set of such program modules.