Tamper-resistant lockout mechanism permits safe entry into hazardous areas

Unintentional starting of dangerous machine movements in installations can be effectively prevented through the use of the new CKS system.

The new CKS from Euchner is a system based on transponder technology. In its basic version, it consists of three parts: a uniquely coded Electronic-Key, an Electronic-Key adapter and a CES evaluation unit. Thanks to the compact, robust design and the high degree of protection (IP67), the CKS is ideally suited for industrial use. The functional principle of the CKS couldn’t be simpler. When the Electronic-Key is inserted in the Electronic-Key adapter, the evaluation unit reads the data from the transformer and checks it for validity. If the inserted key is recognized, the evaluation unit switches the safety outputs. Therefore, it is possible to start a hazardous area only with a valid Electronic-Key inserted in the Electronic-Key adapter.

The CKS system can thus be used when servicing installations, for example. Before the authorized personnel enters the installation, the CKS Electronic-Key is withdrawn from the Electronic-Key adapter and brought along into the installation. If the safety guard is now closed unintentionally, the installation cannot start, because the valid CKS Electronic-Key is not inserted and the safety outputs therefore cannot switch.
This characteristic allows the CKS to be integrated into overall safety concepts of installations with the highest safety level (Cat. 4. / PL e).

The advantages of the CKS system are apparent: The unique coding of the CKS Electronic-Key ensures absolute protection against tampering, because only the EKS Electronic-Key learned in the system is recognized. Tampering with another CKS Electronic-Key is not possible. If the learned CKS Electronic-Key is lost, the CKS system can learn a new Electronic-Key. Only the new Electronic-Key will be recognized by the CKS system after the learning process; the lost Electronic-Key will thereby automatically become invalid.

In addition to use as a lockout mechanism, the CKS system is ideally suited as an Electronic-Key transfer system or for assigning access rights, e.g. for stopping a production process. Up to four CKS Electronic-Key adapters can be connected to one CES evaluation unit for this purpose.