The standard features strict requirements for a . Unlike a light curtain that might allow a machine to restart once the beam is cleared, devices certified to IEC 62046 typically require a deliberate action (pressing a reset button) to verify the area is clear and allow the machine to resume. This "self-holding" safety loop is a key feature designed to prevent unexpected startups.
Unlike general standards (e.g., IEC 61496 for electro-sensitive protective equipment – ESPE), IEC 62046 is an , not a product standard. It tells you how to select, position, install, and validate presence-sensing devices (light curtains, laser scanners, pressure mats, capacitive/radar sensors) to reliably detect people (not just objects). iec 62046
While many safety standards focus on stopping a moving blade or press (point of operation), IEC 62046 governs technology designed primarily for (often called "area scanners" or "safety mats" using infrared technology). The standard features strict requirements for a
, specifically the application of protective equipment to detect the presence of persons. It serves as a guide for selecting, positioning, and commissioning non-physical safeguards to prevent accidents in industrial environments. BSI Knowledge +1 Core Purpose and Scope The standard provides requirements for protective equipment designed to detect the momentary or continued presence of individuals near hazardous machine parts. BSI Knowledge Primary Technologies Covered: Electro-sensitive Protective Equipment (ESPE): Includes devices like light curtains and laser scanners specified in the IEC 61496 series . Pressure-sensitive Mats and Floors: Specified in ISO 13856-1 . Target Audience: Industrial machinery designers, manufacturers, safety certification organizations, and occupational health and safety (OHS) departments. Human Factors: The standard considers human interaction for persons aged 14 years and older. BSI Knowledge +1 Key Technical Guidance IEC 62046 is highly practical, offering detailed instructions on how to integrate sensors into a safety-related control system: Positioning and Configuration: It defines how to place sensors to ensure hazardous areas are fully protected without "blind spots" caused by reflective surfaces or improper blanking. Muting Functions: One of its most notable sections is Unlike general standards (e
Such as pressure mats and floors specified in ISO 13856-1 . Key Requirements for Safety Compliance
| Aspect | IEC 62046 | ISO 13855 | IEC 61496 | |--------|-----------|-----------|-----------| | Focus | Application of person-detecting protective devices | Positioning of safeguards (distances) | Product requirements for ESPE | | Sensor types covered | All presence sensors (including non-optical) | Light curtains, laser scanners only | Optical, pressure, radar, capacitive | | Detection capability definition | Yes, detailed | No | Yes, but for product type | | Mandatory for CE marking? | No – harmonized under Machinery Directive (2006/42/EC) but usually used with ISO 13849-1 | Yes, often cited | Only if using an ESPE |