This section provides an overview for safety limit switches as well as their applications and principles. Also, please take a look at the list of 30 safety limit switch manufacturers and their company rankings. Here are the top-ranked safety limit switch companies as of November, 2024: 1.State Electric Supply Co., 2.The Reynolds Company, 3.WALKER INDUSTRIAL PRODUCTS, INC..
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Categories Related to Safety Limit Switches
Safety Limit Switches are limit switches that have a direct open circuit operating mechanism and are used when reliability is required to ensure machine safety.
They are mainly used as sensors for interlocking devices in production equipment. Unlike ordinary limit switches, they do not lose their function as limit switches even if the contact points in the switch are welded due to a short circuit or high voltage application.
This makes it possible to realize safer interlock devices.
Safety Limit Switches are mainly used in the interlocking devices of machines that require a high level of reliability. Typical examples of interlocking devices are safety guards and doors that can be opened and closed. When the mechanism is closed, the switch is pressed to open the contacts, which are then verified by the control system to command the actuator to allow operation.
If the mechanism is open, for example during inspection, the switch is not depressed and the contacts are closed, so that the actuator will not start operation even if it is operated accidentally.
Ordinary limit switches use springs to close and open the contacts when the switch is physically pressed, so that if the contacts are welded for some reason, the switch will not return and the hazardous condition cannot be communicated to the system.
Safety Limit Switches, on the other hand, use a direct opening mechanism that opens the contacts when the switch is depressed. This means that even if the contacts are welded, the welding can be released by the force of depressing the switch.
Even in the unlikely event that the welding is too strong to be released, the safety guard and door cannot be completely closed if the interlock device is designed with high accuracy. The device can be designed to be fail-safe such that it recognizes it as a dangerous condition and does not start operation.
This action of opening the contacts directly by an external actuator, such as opening or closing a door or rotating a cam, is called positive action. It is recommended that switches with this action be used as stand-alone interlocking devices.
A direct-circuit actuation mechanism is a switch mechanism that uses the force acting on the actuator to pull the contacts apart when the NC (normally closed) contacts of a safety switch are welded together. With direct circuit actuation, only NC contacts are available.
The contacts, also called NO (normally open) contacts, are represented by an arrow mark near the switch contacts in direct circuit actuation mechanisms. In contrast, safety relays use a technique called forced guiding.
This is a relay mechanism that prevents the NO and NC contacts from turning ON simultaneously when the safety relay contacts are welded together. The advantage is that by monitoring one contact, it is possible to diagnose whether the other contact is normal. However, the contacts cannot be pulled apart as in a direct circuit operating mechanism.
Interlock is the concept of a safety device or safety mechanism to protect the safety of operators and users. It refers to a mechanism that prevents other operations unless certain conditions are met. It is applied to ensure worker safety in factories where robots, equipment, and various machines are in operation.
It is important to take measures to stop the equipment in an emergency if the worker approaches the equipment so closely that he/she unintentionally comes in contact with a part of the equipment. In addition, inspection work requires workers to be even closer to the equipment than normal work, so it must be performed after further ensuring the safety of the workers. Since equipment malfunctions can lead directly to accidents, it is necessary to ensure that interlocks are implemented as a preventive measure.
*Including some distributors, etc.
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Thermalogic Corp. is a built-to-order electronic sensor and control manufacturer that was established in 1971. The company is headquartered in a Hudson, Massachusetts facility, where they handle all services in-house. They service various local and international customers in industries, such as medical, military, industrial, food, and transportation. The company’s sensors are used for controlling temperature, humidity, and processes for OEMs (original equipment manufacturers) and volume users. Common products that apply their sensors and controls are HVAC, packaging equipment, food processing, semiconductors, and commercial incubators.
Sick AG, founded in 1946 and headquartered in Waldkirch, Germany, is a manufacturer of sensor and sensor solutions that aid in in production, logistics, and processes automation. The company’s expansive product portfolio includes industrial sensors, encoders, and analyzers. It has over 50 subsidiaries and equity investments as well as several agencies worldwide, and in the 2022 fiscal year, it generated around €2.2 billion. The company established the first subsidiary in France in 1972 and opened another subsidiary in USA in 1975. It changed to a joint stock company in 1996 and the first employee shares were issued in 1999.
Banner Engineering Corporation, established in 1966 and headquartered in Minneapolis, Minnesota, is a manufacturer and supplier of industrial automation products. They offer an extensive range of sensors, including proximity sensors, photoelectric sensors, and limit switches, for detecting object presence, position, and speed. Additionally, Banner provides a different types of switches, such as pushbuttons, toggle switches, and rotary switches, to control electricity flow and offer system feedback. Their wide array of controls includes PLCs, HMIs, and motion controllers, enabling automation of industrial processes.
Honeywell International Inc. was founded in 1885 and headquartered in Charlotte, North Carolina. Honeywell is a diversified technology and manufacturing company to global customers in many industries such as aerospace, building technologies, performance materials, manufacturing, and safety. Honeywell produces hardware and software solutions for each industry it serves. In building technologies, Honeywell designs access controls, electrical and wiring, fire life safety, and employee training services. In aerospace, Honeywell designs cockpit systems and displays, engines, cabin management and cleaning, and health and usage monitoring.
The Reynolds Company, in the United States in 1984, is a supplier of Engineered Equipment, IEC and NEMA quality products, and practical project management solutions. The company's product portfolio includes electric utility and outside plants, electrical boxes and covers, cabinets and rack fasteners, and hardware fittings and connectors. It also offers practical project management solutions to facilitate efficient project execution, from conceptualization to completion. The company serves markets such as manufacturing, energy, and construction.
Kendall Electric, founded in 1930 and located in Michigan, United States, is a distributor of electrical solutions. The company’s broad range of services includes electrical boxes and covers, lighting controls and ballast, cord and cable, conduit, and conduit fittings. These products have general uses in the electrical and construction industries, including housing and protecting electrical components, regulating lighting systems, facilitating electrical connections, safeguarding wiring, and ensuring safe and efficient electrical installations in settings. The company caters to industries such as manufacturing, industrial, commercial, residential, and utilities.
K.A. Schmersal GmbH & Co.KG was founded in 1945 and is a manufacturer of switchgear and control devices based in Wuppertal, Germany. The company's products include security sensors, solenoid interlocks, safety switches and safety mats. The products are used in escalators, elevators, wood processing, packaging and industrial automation to provide safety at work. The company is ISO 9001 certified and supports local institutions like the University of Wuppertal, charity events and sports clubs. In Brazil, Schmersal has won the international "Great Place To Work" competition five times.
Onpow Push Button Manufacture Co. Ltd. (formerly known as Yueqing Hongbo Radio Factory) is a push-button switch manufacturer established in 1988 and based in Yueqing, Zhejiang, China. The company's portfolio includes 40 patented series of push-button switches, with 1 to 2 new series added annually, ranging from metal and plastic to customizable options. The company also offers various switch types, including emergency stop, key lock, and selector switches. Connector blocks, electrical terminals, and terminal boards are also part of its lineup. Serving domestic and international markets, the company extends its reach to customers in the United States and Europe.
IMO, founded in 1972, is a manufacturer of industrial automation & control components headquartered in Perth, Australia, with sales offices in the UK, France, Italy, North America, and South Africa. The company’s product portfolio includes solar & automation products such as programmable logic controllers and variable speed drives, control & switchgears such as motor circuit breakers, EV charging components like modular contactors, and control center products such as enclosures. These products find applications in various industries, including mobility, security, HVAC, industrial, and catering. It also offers customization services that involve designing, prototyping, production, and inventory management.
CamdenBoss Ltd is a manufacturer of electromechanical components and enclosures established in 1986 and headquartered in Edmunds, Suffolk, United Kingdom. The company offers electromechanical components such as switches, protects, lights, and connects including PCB terminal blocks, circular connectors, interface modules, relay bases, and terminal strips. It also offers enclosures such as plastic, metal, din rail, and wall cabinets & 19” enclosures. The company also offers customized enclosures with their in-house processes including designing, prototyping, and manufacturing to meet the customer’s specific requirements.
Highly Electric Co., Ltd. was established in 1974 in New Taipei City, Taiwan, as a manufacturer of industrial switches. The company provides a diverse range of products, including safety door limit switches, snap-action switches, toggle switches, rocker switches, foot switches, and sensors, among others. These components have diverse applications: safety door limit switches enhance machinery safety; snap-action switches offer swift switching; toggle and rocker switches control functions; foot switches enable hands-free operation; and sensors detect and transmit crucial data for automation and robotics. The industrial sectors where these components find applications include manufacturing, electronics, machinery, appliances, automotive, medical, and automation.
SUNS International LLC was established in 1995 and is located in Massachusetts, U.S.A., and is a manufacturer of industrial control components. The company's product folio includes foot switches, push buttons, and control stations with a wide range of applications in textile machinery, elevators, construction, packaging machinery, and, material handling sectors. The company manufactures products according to ISO9001:2015, ISO13485, and AS9100 certifications and complies with UL, CSA, CE, and CCC standards. The company also offers load cells, hour meters, LED indicator lights, terminal blocks, and, heavy-duty limit switches needed in the solar and wind power production stations.
Omron Corporation, started in 1933 and headquartered in Kyoto, Japan, is a manufacturer of automation components, equipment, and systems, and it developed the first contactless proximity switch in 1960. It has four domains, including industrial automation, electronic components, healthcare, and social systems, and it provides products and services in around 120 countries and regions. Some of its products include microsensing devices, access control systems, industrial robots, surveillance cameras, and blood pressure monitors. In 1971, it developed the first online cash machine, and in 1972, it established Japan’s first welfare factory.
ABB E-mobility provides electric vehicle charging solutions for customers around the globe. ABB E-mobility offers DC fast chargers as well as AC chargers with focus on reliability and uptime. Since 2010, ABB E-mobility has sold over 50,000 DC fast chargers and over 1 million total AC chargers. ABB E-mobility offers home single and multi-charge units, retail, workplace, and hospitality charge units, electric vehicle fleet sales, as well as public transportation. Additionally, numerous digital solutions and software services are available.
Kansai Automation Co., Ltd., a manufacturer of level controllers for powder, granules, and liquid was founded in 1969 and headquartered in Osaka, Japan. The company specializes in manufacturing products with level sensor technology, and their products include level switches, level indicators, flow sensors, conveyor peripherals, and flow meters. These products are used for precise level measurement, control, and monitoring. These solutions optimize liquid level control and process performance in water treatment, oil and gas, chemicals, food and beverage, and pharmaceutical industries.
Yueqing Yongde Electric Co.,Ltd., founded in 1998 and headquartered in Wenzhou City, China, is a manufacturer and supplier specializing in industrial control switches. The company's range of industrial control switches includes limit switches, safety limit switches, micro switches, toggle switches, and foot switches. These products are used in various sectors, including manufacturing, material handling, agriculture, electronics and electrical equipment, and HVAC and building automation. The company exports its products to overseas markets with sales centers in Spain, Argentina, Malaysia, and Peru.
Kimo Electronic Pvt. Ltd., established in 1997 and headquartered in Mumbai, India, operates as a manufacturer, supplier, and distributor of industrial and electronic components. Its product line includes electronic motor soft starters from 0.25kW to 50,000 kW (50 mW) and up to 15,000Volts or 15kV for motor acceleration control, industrial brake systems for machinery deceleration and safety, as well as power transmissions for efficient power transfer, and motor control solutions for regulating industrial electric motors. The company is ISO 9000 certified, emphasizing effective quality management.
Henan Kino Cranes Co Ltd, established in 2019 and based in Henan, China, is a manufacturer and supplier of industrial cranes. Its product portfolio includes a range of cranes such as overhead bridge cranes, gantry cranes, electric hoists, jib cranes, and hook-lifting devices. The company’s products are used in multiple industries such as steel, automotive, energy recycling, power, paper, and shipbuilding. The company also offers ISO-certified products, installation, repair, and customized solutions.
Idem Safety Switches Limited, established in 2003 and headquartered in Wigan, England, is a manufacturer of machine safety devices. The company designs and manufactures safety interlock switches for machines. Its product portfolio ranges from simple limit switches to stainless steel 316 and explosion proof safety switches covering all aspects of the human-machine interface. These products are used in several industries including food & beverage, automotive and pharmaceutical. . The company has a network of distributors globally, and provides those details on its website.
SMC Electric, a company founded in 1950, based in Missouri, USA, is a distributor and supplier of electrical, automation, industrial, data comm, and fluid power products and services. The company offers a range of products from important manufacturers such as SMC USA, Rockwell Automation, Eaton, and Siemens. These products are used in various industries such as manufacturing, government, energy, and food and beverage. It also provides customer services that include technical support, training, catalog request, and customized solutions.
Telemecanique Sensors, established in 1924 and headquartered in Rueil-Malmaison, France, is a manufacturer and supplier of sensors and sensor-related technology. With a global reach encompassing over 100 subsidiaries and distributors across 50 countries, its offerings which include inductive proximity sensors for object detection, photoelectric sensors, ultrasonic sensors for measurements like level and thickness, capacitive proximity sensors for liquid level detection, and limit switches for object position sensing find applications in diverse industries such as manufacturing, food and beverage, transportation, medical, and utilities. Its facilities are also all compliant with ISO 14 001 global standard.
Rockwell Automation, Inc. was founded in 1903 and is headquartered in Milwakee, WI. Rockwell Automation provides industrial automation and digital transformation solutions around the world. Rockwell Automation operates through their intelligent devices, software & control, and lifecycle services segments with both hardware and software products and services. The Intelligent Devices segment offers drives, motion, safety, sensing, industrial components, and configured-to-order products. The Software & Control segment provides control and visualization software and hardware, information software, and network and security infrastructure solutions. The Lifecycle Services segment provides consulting, professional services and solutions, and connected and maintenance services through independent distributors.
Technology BSA S.P.A established in 1997, is a supplier of automation, electrical and electronic products based in Turin, Italy. The company's supply portfolio includes cables, sensors, pneumatics, trays and mechatronics. It has been a part of the Edge Global Supply Group since 2017. Its main partners include Rockwell Automation, Phoenix Contact, Festo, Prosoft Technology and Cognex Corporation. The company also offers training courses on how industrial sensor technology can be used in plants to improve efficiency.
OEM Automatic is located in Whetstone, Leicester, and is a British industrial automation components distributor that was established as a subsidiary of Sweden’s OEM International in 1987. The company’s product lineup includes control panel components such as terminals and switches, position control solutions such as RFID and photoelectric sensors, and AC as well as DC motors for motion control processes. It also offers flow and pressure components including valves, pumps, and regulators. Aside from its products, the company provides custom manufacturing, kitting, pre-assembly, and technical support services to its clients.
Ranking as of November 2024
Derivation MethodRank | Company | Click Share |
---|---|---|
1 | State Electric Supply Co. |
8.2%
|
2 | The Reynolds Company |
8.2%
|
3 | WALKER INDUSTRIAL PRODUCTS, INC. |
6.8%
|
4 | SUNS International |
6.8%
|
5 | CONTOR Automation |
5.5%
|
6 | TECHNOLOGY BSA S.P.A |
5.5%
|
7 | K. A. Schmersal GmbH & Co. KG |
5.5%
|
8 | Thermalogic Corporation |
5.5%
|
9 | Kimo Electronic Pvt. Ltd. |
4.1%
|
10 | Yueqing Yongde Electric Co.,Ltd. |
4.1%
|
Derivation Method
The ranking is calculated based on the click share within the safety limit switch page as of November 2024. Click share is defined as the total number of clicks for all companies during the period divided by the number of clicks for each company.Number of Employees
Newly Established Company
Company with a History
*Including some distributors, etc.
*Including some distributors, etc.
Country | Number of Companies | Share (%) |
---|---|---|
United States of America | 8 | 34.8% |
China | 3 | 13.0% |
India | 3 | 13.0% |
Japan | 2 | 8.7% |
United Kingdom | 2 | 8.7% |
Germany | 1 | 4.3% |
Australia | 1 | 4.3% |
Taiwan | 1 | 4.3% |
Austria | 1 | 4.3% |
Italy | 1 | 4.3% |
12 products are listed.
Hans Turck GmbH & Co.
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Turck safety switches available in a wide range of features and various designs are suitable for accurately monitoring protected doors and dimensio...
Hans Turck GmbH & Co.
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Turck safety switches available in a wide range of features and various designs are suitable for accurately monitoring protected doors and dimensio...
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TAPE & MAT SWITCH It supports safety and security in all situations of society, from home to office, factories, hospitals, and public facilities. I...
Matsushima Measure Tech Co., Ltd.
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It is a full -fledged limit switch for heavy and industrial industries with environmental resistance and high mechanical strength. In order to gain...
Hans Turck GmbH & Co.
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Turck safety switches available in a wide range of features and various designs are suitable for accurately monitoring protected doors and dimensio...
Matsushima Measure Tech Co., Ltd.
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Pull -stop is an emergency stop switch around conveyors and transport machines. In addition to the basic functions of sister products, the followin...