Requirement of three-position enabling switches for installing in enabling devices to achieve operational safety of robotics and automation applications

Highly advanced production systems of robotics and automation applications involve many direct interactions between humans and machines. Ensuring an operators' safety, especially in a hazardous area, is of primary concern. As required by various international standards, including superior international standards such as ISO 12100, machine operation of human-attended operation must be controlled by using the enabling device. Three-position enabling switch is the integral component of enabling devices, and in 2006, IEC 60947-5-8 was newly published to set the requirements of three-position enabling switch. This report explains the requirement of the three-position enabling switches which play an important role in establishing the inherent safety in operating environment.