Introduction

Safety radio controls are an important part of machine safety control systems, allowing users to control machines safely. Timeout is a key feature of these radio controls, which is intended to ensure the safety of the user in the event of a failure in communication between the radio control and the machine.

Definition

The timeout is the time during which the radio control remains active after the last frame from the transmitter. If no new frames are received during this time, the radio control automatically deactivates and the machine stops. This minimises potential risks associated with incorrect handling, system failure, being too far away from the machine or interference.

Norms

There are standards for safety radio controls, such as ISO 13849-1, which define performance criteria for these devices, such as reliability, availability and speed of response. These standards can help manufacturers determine appropriate values for timeout, which may vary depending on the model and application.

Risk analysis

It is important to note that the choice of timeout should be based on a risk analysis carried out by the machine manufacturer. This analysis involves assessing the potential hazards associated with the use of the machine and determining safety measures to minimise these risks. Using this information, the manufacturer can determine the optimum value for the timeout, which will ensure maximum safety for the user while allowing the machine to be used efficiently.

ISO 13849-1 can be used in conjunction with ISO 12100 to perform a comprehensive risk analysis for machinery.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the timeout is an important feature of safety radio controls, which ensures the safety of the user in case of a failure in the communication between the radio control and the machine. Standards, such as ISO 13849-1, can help manufacturers to determine appropriate values for the timeout, but risk analysis should be the basis for choosing the optimum value for the timeout.

Dipswitchs

At E-Chronos you have the possibility to change this parameter between 500ms and 2 seconds without a computer.

By opening the receiver, changing the dispwitches and performing a new learn you can easily adjust the timeout in a few minutes.

Read the article on dipswitches to understand how to do this.

Catalog

Give us a try, see the E-Chronos line up via the configurator and send us a request of your needs. And we can deliver you a test system for you to see the differences. A step by step user guide is available here.