Enabling Switch: Dual Safety for Industrial Remote Controls

If there’s one thing all industrial operators can agree on, it’s the need to continuously raise safety standards for workers.

Safety is also at the heart of AUTEC's research and technological development, with a commitment to offering more options to protect operators.

Integration of an “Enabling Switch” device into an AUTEC remote control is an effective and widely adopted solution in industrial automation. It is especially useful during calibration, maintenance, or testing phases, when the operator must manually interact with the machine, ensuring both safety and control.

This dual safety system requires the operator to perform two distinct and deliberate actions before activating potentially dangerous machine functions. A true “lifesaver” in many contexts and industries let’s explore how it works and the benefits it brings to your operations.

How Does the Enabling Switch Work?

In an industrial environment, where a mistake can cost lives or cause significant material damage, the Enabling Switch is essential for preventing accidental activations and ensuring that every command is the result of a deliberate decision.

But how does it work exactly? The principle behind this system is simple: AUTEC’s Enabling Switch requires the operator to press an enabling button to use all or part of the remote control’s functions.

The button has three pressure levels and must be pressed to the middle position and held there throughout the operation. This provides two clear advantages:

1.    The operator must use both hands, which inherently increases operational safety.

2.    If the operator presses the button fully or releases it completely, the commands linked to the Enabling  Switch are disabled.

As a result, accidental activations become impossible, and the system ensures that commands are deactivated if the operator faints, falls, or experiences any kind of medical emergency during the operation.

Another important benefit is that installing the optional Enabling Switch enforces the “man present” principle, ensuring that the machine is operated only when a conscious and active operator is in control.

This option is available for the following Autec remote control models: LK NEO 6, LK NEO 6DF, LK NEO 8, LK NEO 10, LK NEO 10DF, LK NEO 12.

Remote Control with Enabling Switch in a Rolling Mill

Here’s a practical example of this safety feature in action:

Imagine an operator using a remote control with an Enabling Switch to perform maintenance or adjustments in a rolling mill.The operator can use directional buttons to move or adjust the machines settings only while holding the Enabling Switch button. In case of distraction, a fall, or a medical emergency, the unintentional release of the button would immediately stop the system, ensuring maximum safety for the operator and nearby personnel.

Main Applications of the Enabling Switch

We’ve just seen a practical application of the Enabling Switch in a sector that can greatly benefit from it. But there are many industrial contexts where this option is valuable, such as:

• Automation:
  The enabling function is often already integrated via cable, which limits the operator’s mobility and prevents optimal positioning for manual operations.
  With AUTEC’s wireless remote control, there are no movement restrictions: a single radio device can control the entire machine, offering greater flexibility and operational efficiency.

• Manufacturing (e.g., woodworking):
  Where dangerous tools like blades or planers are used, it’s crucial to ensure operator safety during machine adjustments.
  Both hands must be on the transmitter, ensuring safe control and preventing unintentional machine activation.

• Mobile industrial machinery:
  The Enabling Switch is a valuable ally in preventing accidental activations that could cause dangerous machine movements and endanger the operator and others nearby.

• Logistics:
  This function enhances safety when handling heavy loads in warehouses and distribution centers, significantly reducing accidents during machine control in hazardous areas.

Enabling Switch: A Key Ally for Safety and Operations

As you can see, the Enabling Switch option for AUTEC remote controls can positively impact the safety of your operation.

But that’s not all: consider the psychological benefit for operators who know they can work in maximum safety.

A safer work environment means fewer interruptions, lower insurance costs, and higher productivity proving that investing in technologies like the Enabling Switch is not only an ethical choice but also a winning long-term business strategy.