What are safety relays?

Safety relays are electromechanical switching devices that implement safety functions by preventing failures in critical switching operations. Safety relays initiate a safe, reliable response in the case of a hazard or when a fault in the input circuit occurs. Safety relays stop a device from switching back on, thereby stopping the activation of relays.

You can commonly find safety relays in monitor and control devices, including magnetic switches, safety switches, emergency stop buttons, contactless safety sensors, movable guards and more.

Safety relays protect staff and machines, preventing potentially expensive maintenance and equipment replacement.

Functions of safety relays

Some of the main functions of safety relays include:

• Stopping movement in a controlled and safe manner
• Emergency stop
• Monitoring the positions of movable parts
• Interrupting a closing movement during access

Types of safety relays 

There are two main types of safety relays, including:

• Single-function safety relays
• Multi-function safety relays