While working in today’s fast-paced industrial settings, a worker’s safety tops the priorities list. With the ever-increasing reliance on automation and machinery, it has become vital to implement top safety measures. Out of many safety components, push buttons are one of the simplest yet indispensable safety devices. They play a crucial role in machine safety as well as human safety. Moving forward, let us learn about push buttons, different types, and their importance.
What are Push Buttons?
The purpose of getting a push button installed is that it helps to control and operate industrial machines. While they prove to be a convenient option, these buttons are manually controlled. When switched on, it completes the circuit, thus allowing the current to pass. These buttons have user-friendly designs, sizes, configurations, and a tactile feedback mechanism.
One can easily spot them on a machine or the control panel. Push buttons have different functionalities which depend on their specific application. Overall, they serve as essential components in industrial settings, which provides operators with a simple and reliable means. It can be for controlling the machines, initiating emergency shutdowns, or activating specific functions, ensuring safe and efficient operations. Now that you know about the industrial push buttons, let’s explore their various types.
What are The Different Types of Push Buttons?
In an industrial setting, several types of machine safety buttons exist. While each one has a unique set of characteristics, let us look at its different types:
1. Emergency Stop Push Buttons
Mushroom buttons or emergency stop buttons are commonly known as e-stops. Their main benefit is to immediately shut down the machine in case of any emergency. The machine’s power connection is immediately disconnected when the button’s mushroom-shaped actuator is pressed. As a result, it automatically stops operating. These e-stop buttons are generally red and are positioned within the operator’s reach.
2. Start/Stop Push Buttons
Start/stop buttons have actuators that are used to initiate and halt machine operations. While their design is similar to momentary buttons, they have proven to be an effective safety tool in industrial settings. Pressing the start button activates the machine, and pressing the stop button halts its operation. These buttons are usually color-coded, with green representing start and red representing stop. Start/stop buttons provide operators with control over the machine’s functions, allowing them to start and stop operations safely.
3. Lockable Push Buttons
The key-operated push button, also known as a lockable button, provides additional safety for machines in an industrial setting. The button’s mechanism involves the use of a key. An operator must enter and turn the key to activate or deactivate the button. Hence, it helps to allow only authorized personnel to lock out certain functions. Specific equipment for maintenance or repair purposes.
4. Illuminated Push Buttons
Illuminated buttons have built-in LED indicators, which help by enhancing visibility in low-light environments. Additionally, they have proven to be useful for drawing the operator’s attention to the machinery in case of an emergency. They are typically color-coded, such as red for stopping and green means go, that act as visual cues for machine operators.
Different Colours of a Push Button and Their Significance
Push buttons are installed in different colors, each holding a specific significance in industrial settings. It helps to convey an important message to the machine operators. They are as follows:
- Red: They are universally considered an emergency, indicating color and a call for immediate action.
- Green: The green color button signifies the go-signal or start. It indicates that pushing the button is safe to begin or resume the machine operations.
- Yellow: These push buttons are commonly associated with a warning. They aim to draw attention to any potential hazard that requires immediate attendance.
- Blue: The blue buttons are actuated for the necessary operations.
- White or Black: These buttons are used for any other purpose other than the emergency stop function.
Conclusion
Machines power our productivity in industries, and their safety cannot be overstated. The push buttons help the operators in the different ways mentioned above. So, if you want to secure your industrial workplace, partner with a reputable company today!
