Emergency Stop Push Buttons
An emergency stop button, also known as an E-Stop, is a fail-safe control switch that provides safety both for the machinery and for the person using the machinery. The purpose of the emergency push button is to stop the machinery quickly when there is a risk of injury or the workflow requires stopping.
All machinery requires an emergency stop button to reduce risk. Buttons are typically red, often with a yellow background, to ensure a vivid and easily identified solution.
Types of Emergency Stops
The most common types of emergency stops are:
Push-pull
The push-pull emergency stop button is a simple yet effective design, where the button is pushed in to activate the emergency stop and pulled back out to reset.
Twist release
The twist release emergency stop button operates similarly to the push-pull, but the reset mechanism involves twisting the button to release it.
Key release
The key release emergency stop button offers enhanced security, requiring a key to reset the switch after activation, preventing unauthorised restarts.
Foot and palm buttons
Emergency stop foot and palm buttons feature large, easy-to-actuate surfaces designed for quick response in harsh environments, making them ideal for industrial settings.
Position switches
Position switches are often linked to an emergency stop actuating element, enabling multiple points of contact to trigger an e-stop.
Benefits of Using Emergency Stop Push Buttons
Emergency stop push buttons are critical safety devices in any industrial or commercial setting where machinery is in operation. Their primary function is to provide a readily accessible and easily identifiable means to quickly shut down equipment in the event of an emergency, minimising the risk of injury or damage.
There are many benefits to implementing e-stop buttons:
- Improved Safety: The most obvious benefit of emergency stop push buttons is the immediate protection they provide to personnel. In a hazardous situation, a quick press of the e-stop button can halt machinery instantly, preventing accidents and injuries.
- Regulatory Compliance: Emergency stop switches are often mandated by safety regulations and standards in many industries. Having them installed ensures that your workplace complies with these requirements, avoiding potential legal issues and penalties.
- Improved Productivity: Emergency stop buttons contribute to a safer work environment, which can lead to increased employee morale and productivity. Workers who feel secure in their workplace are more likely to focus on their tasks and perform at their best.
- Protecting Equipment: In addition to protecting personnel, emergency stop buttons can also safeguard valuable equipment from damage. By quickly shutting down machinery during malfunctions or other abnormal events, you can prevent costly repairs or replacements.
- Reliability: Emergency stop buttons and switches are built to be highly reliable and durable, ensuring that they will function as intended when needed most.
Applications of Emergency Stop Push Buttons
E-stop buttons are vital safety devices found across various industries, ensuring the ability to quickly shut down machinery in critical situations. Their applications span a wide range of sectors, each with specific needs and considerations:
- Manufacturing: In factories and production lines, emergency stop push buttons are strategically located near hazardous machinery, such as conveyor belts, presses, and robotic arms. They empower workers to instantly halt operations in case of malfunctions, entanglement, or other dangerous events. Illuminated emergency stop buttons are often preferred in these environments to enhance visibility.
- Construction: On construction sites, emergency stop buttons are installed on cranes, hoists, and other heavy equipment. These buttons provide a crucial safety measure for operators and nearby personnel, allowing them to quickly stop equipment in case of instability, overload, or potential collisions.
- Transportation: Emergency stop buttons are integrated into various transportation systems, including trains, buses, and trams. They enable passengers or drivers to activate emergency braking in case of unexpected obstacles, collisions, or other hazardous situations on the tracks or roads.
- Energy: In power plants and energy generation facilities, emergency stop push buttons are used to shut down turbines, generators, and other critical equipment in emergencies like fires, leaks, or equipment failures. Emergency power off switches are commonly found in these settings, enabling a rapid shutdown of electrical power.
- Healthcare: In hospitals and medical facilities, emergency stop buttons are installed on medical devices like X-ray machines, MRI scanners, and surgical robots. They provide an immediate means to stop procedures in case of complications, malfunctions, or patient distress. In some cases, emergency cut off switches may be used to quickly isolate hazardous materials.
- Public Spaces: Emergency stop buttons are also found in public areas like escalators, elevators, and amusement park rides. They offer a safety mechanism for users to quickly stop the equipment if they feel unsafe or perceive a risk.
How to Order an Emergency Stop Button from RS
RS New Zealand (NZ) offers emergency stop buttons and switches for a variety of industrial, commercial and public applications. Our range includes illuminated buttons to push buttons to emergency power off or cut off switches from reputable brands like ABB, Omron, Schneider Electric and more.
To place an order online, browse our extensive catalogue and filter e-stop buttons and switches based on categories like actuation type, button shape, colour, IP rating and more.
Delivery Information for New Zealand
RS NZ offers fast delivery of all types of emergency buttons and switches. For more details on delivery services and fees, please refer to our Delivery Page.