Switches with double safety - Technical basics

Positive opening operation, separate construction of snap mechanism and contact system, glossary.

Safety for man and machine

Schaltbau snap-action switches are characterized by positive opening operation. That is to say that the components of the snap mechanism are so designed that they also have positive mechanical engagement. Thus it is guaranteed that the contacts of the switch will open even if the snap mechanism fails due to contact welding after a short-circuit or to a broken spring.

This makes the switches ideally suited for use in safety-related applications or for safety components as defined by the European Machine Directive which explicitly require switching elements with positive opening operation for the prevention of accidents.

Positive opening operation: An opening operation which, in accordance with specified requirements, ensures that all the main contacts are in the open position when the actuator is in the position corresponding to the open position of the device
[IEV 441-16-11].

To ensure the proper working of the positive opening operation it is necessary to depress the plunger to the point of total positive opening travel. However, it must not be pressed beyond total travel position.

Separate construction of snap mechanism and contact system

The snap mechanism and the electrical contact system of the switch are constructed separately in many series. One advantage of the separate construction is, for instance, that it prevents the spring characteristics of the snap mechanism from being impaired by rising current heat.