BS EN IEC 61496-2:2020

What is BS EN IEC 61496‑2 about ? 

BS EN IEC 61496‑2 is a multi-part series of European standard which discusses about safety of machinery of electrosensitive protective equipment. 

BS EN IEC 61496‑2 specifies requirements for the design, construction and testing of electro-sensitive protective equipment (ESPE) designed specifically to detect persons as part of a safety-related system, employing active opto-electronic protective devices (AOPDs) for the sensing function. Special attention is directed to features which ensure that an appropriate safety-related performance is achieved. 

Note 1: BS EN IEC 61496‑2 does not specify the dimensions or configurations of the detection zone and its disposition in relation to hazardous parts for any particular application, nor what constitutes a hazardous state of any machine. It is restricted to the functioning of the ESPE and how it interfaces with the machine.  

Note 2: BS EN IEC 61496‑2 does not deal with electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) emission requirements. 

Who is BS EN IEC 61496‑2 for ? 

BS EN IEC 61496‑2 on electrosensitive protective equipment for safety of machinery is useful in: 

• Manufacturing of electrosensitive protective components 
• Companies dealing with safety procedures producing electrosensitive protective component 
• Retailers and suppliers of electrosensitive protective devices 

Why should you use BS EN IEC 61496‑2 ? 

Electrosensitive protective equipment (ESPE) does the work of detecting the entry of a person or part of the body into a safety field by means of optional sensors without a direct mechanical contact. It is use to secure hazardous areas on machines. 

An active opto-electronic protective device is a device whose sensing function is performed by opto-electronic emitting and receiving elements detecting the interruption of optical radiations generated, within the device, by an opaque object present in the specified detection zone (or for a light beam device, on the axis of the light beam). 

BS EN IEC 61496‑2 provides a particulars requirement for the design, construction and testing of an electro-sensitive protective equipment (ESPE) which helps you in safeguarding of machinery, and employing the active opto-electronic protective devices (AOPDs) for sensing the functions. 

BS EN IEC 61496‑2 can be useful for applications other than those for the protection of persons, for example, the protection of machinery or products from mechanical damage. 

What’s changed since the last update ? 

BS EN IEC 61496‑2:2020 supersedes BS EN 61496‑2:2013, which is withdrawn. It includes: 

• Requirements and test procedures in Part 2 that were found to be common to all ESPEs have been moved to Part 1. Test procedures that are dependent on the sensing technology remain in Part 2.