EN/IEC 61496

EN/IEC 61496 “Safety of machinery – Electrosensitive protective equipment – Part 1: General requirements and tests" establishes a clear relationship between type classes for electrosensitive protective equipment (ESPE) and the safety integrity level (SIL – in accordance with IEC 62061) / performance level (PL – in accordance with ISO 13849). This relationship is defined as follows:

Therefore, type 2 light curtains, for example, must only be used in applications up to performance level c. For a long time, part 2 of the standard only defined type classes 2 and 4. In 2020, the fourth edition added type class 3. This can be used for applications up to performance level d.

2. Specification of tests

Part 1 defines general requirements for environmental tests, which apply to all ESPE. When the fourth edition was published in 2020, these requirements were adapted to the requirements and terminology of new generic directives and standards, such as the EMC Directive, for example. Test procedures for testing environmental influences were also revised and where necessary completed, or references were made to test procedures in generic directives and standards. The following environmental influences must be tested in order to certify a safeguard:

• Ambient temperature and humidity

• Electrical interference

• Mechanical influences

• Housing protection type

• External light influences

Legally watertight protection with the light curtain portfolio from Pilz

For ESPE in accordance with EN/IEC 61496, a type examination from an independent inspection body must be available for the declaration of conformity, as the standard is explicitly not harmonised, so there is no presumption of conformity in accordance with the Machinery Directive. All Pilz PSENopt light curtains are type-examined in accordance with EN/IEC 61496 Parts 1 and 2. They are available in types 2, 3 or 4 from a resolution of 14 mm (finger protection). As such they are suitable for all applications up to PL e. With the first type 3 light curtains on the market, we offer a standard-compliant, cost-effective solution for applications up to PL d.

The table below provides an overview of the product ranges and the corresponding SI level and performance level: 

 
To the products:

• Light barriers PSENopt, PSENopt Advanced and PSENopt slim
• Light curtains PSENopt II

As part of the mechanical tests, two shock classes were defined for stationary use of ESPE when the standard was revised: class 3M4 defines acceleration values up to 15 g and class 3M7 accelerations up to 25 g. Our PSENopt II light curtains can even achieve acceleration of up to 50 g and so fall into the highest class. As a result they are particularly robust against extreme shocks.

See for yourself how robust our PSENopt II light curtain is