Panel location for E-Stop pushbutton
Panel location for E-Stop pushbutton
(OP)
I have been trying to find some standard that tells where on a panel to place the emergency stop pushbutton. I know where to place the up, down, start, stop, etc., but can not find anything about the E-Stop, other than color and design. I thought I had read somewhere in the past that it was not to be located in close proximity to the standard stop pushbutton, but can't even find that now. Since I always place the stop pushbutton at the bottom of the panel, I place the E-Stop at the top of the panel, but now there is a question here where I work about whether it is supposed to be at the bottom of the panel or not.





RE: Panel location for E-Stop pushbutton
Bill
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"Why not the best?"
Jimmy Carter
RE: Panel location for E-Stop pushbutton
RE: Panel location for E-Stop pushbutton
The operator control panel has a up, down and stop pushbutton, and since it is semi-auto it also has to have an e-stop on it as well. I have always placed the e-stop at the top of the panel and separate from the other pushbuttons, if possible.
The question came up this morning as to whether it should be at the bottom, under the normal stop pushbutton, but I can not find any standards that address e-stop location, other than it should be easily accessed by the operator. I really need something carved in stone to put this to bed.
RE: Panel location for E-Stop pushbutton
Bill
--------------------
"Why not the best?"
Jimmy Carter
RE: Panel location for E-Stop pushbutton
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RE: Panel location for E-Stop pushbutton
From UL508A manual
66.12.2 An industrial control panel provided with operator controls, such as pushbuttons and selector
switches, shall also be provided with an emergency stop button.
66.12.2 effective April 25, 2003
66.12.3 The emergency stop button shall have an actuator that is a mushroom or palm type, and of the
self-latching type.
RE: Panel location for E-Stop pushbutton
RE: Panel location for E-Stop pushbutton
RE: Panel location for E-Stop pushbutton
RE: Panel location for E-Stop pushbutton
The biggest hazard with the majority of our equipment is someone being around the dumper carriage when it raises, or getting under it when it lowers. The operator would not generally be that person, but would be able to emergency stop the machine during any phase of the cycle if necessary.
It sounds like there really are no hard and fast rules for e-stop placement on control panels. I always put them at the top of the panel, the normal stop at the bottom, so there is generally anywhere from 12" to 16" between them. Units that may have people other than the operator (loading, unloading, etc.) often have remote e-stops as well along conveyor lines or load-in gates.
Attached is a .BMP of one of our typical dumper control panels. The p/b layout is also pretty typical, although on smaller boxes they sometimes are moved a little closer together.
Thanks again for the input.
RE: Panel location for E-Stop pushbutton
If anyone wants to see it I will try to find another way to post it. For some reason it didn't upload correctly.
RE: Panel location for E-Stop pushbutton
Don't forget that an E stop and a normal stop will in most cases have an entirley different function. Athough E stops can, and are used in situations of equipment malfunction, I approach them as a personal safety device first. I will provide an E stop at every point that the operator can enter the machine envelope during normal operation. Lockout procedures should then cover abnormal conditions.
RE: Panel location for E-Stop pushbutton