Safety systems PNOZmulti Classic and compact controllers PNOZmulti Mini

Since 2002, the configurable safety relay PNOZmulti has evolved into the global safety standard and a high-performance safety controller. Having proved themselves in use in a wide variety of industries over many years, the two original PNOZmulti product ranges – PNOZmulti Classic and PNOZmulti Mini – were discontinued on 31 December 2024. They are succeeded by the small controllers PNOZmulti 2.

What's now a global standard was first introduced to the automation world in 2002. At the time, the ability to create the safety circuit with an easy-to-use, graphics-based configuration tool – with no knowledge of a “higher” programming language – was a world first. The aim was to build a bridge between hard-wired safety relays and freely programmable safety controllers. A global standard for safety was born – the configurable safety relay PNOZmulti!  

In the course of its now over 20-year history, PNOZmulti has evolved into a safety controller – many functions, one solution for both simple machinery and networked and distributed plants!

The graphics software tool was very innovative at the time. It enabled electricians to easily create a user program without any programming knowledge, for example. “Programming with the mouse” works like this: all the elements in a safety circuit are available on the graphics-based, Windows®-compliant user interface as function blocks for function elements such as emergency stop, safety gates, light curtains and analogue measured values. Relays, semiconductors or safety valves can be selected as output elements. Special applications such as burners, motion monitoring, presses, authorisation, operating mode selection and many more can also be conveniently dragged to the user interface, configured for the specific application and linked to the logic elements. Comprehensive diagnostic options increase plant availability and reduce downtimes.

A “more slimline” generation followed in 2009, the PNOZmulti Mini: the “classic” 135 millimetre PNOZmulti base unit was compressed down to a narrow 45 millimetre width – with full functionality and a display. Diagnostics for short machine downtimes are always fundamentally important for users, as is connection to numerous automation environments and communication systems. The fact that only one system was needed from planning to maintenance fuelled the success.

2012 saw the conversion to the current second generation, the safe small controllers PNOZmulti 2. The stand-alone base unit PNOZ m C0 is only 22.5 millimetres wide – ideal for small machines because it can still monitor up to four safety functions up to PL e or SIL 3 via eight safe inputs and four safe semiconductor outputs. The upcoming Machinery Regulation also includes requirements for the security of devices. Again, there’s no challenge: PNOZmulti 2 is also secure along the way and the data is protected from unwanted access.

The PNOZmulti 2 product range is the successor to the original PNOZmulti Classic and PNOZmulti Mini product ranges, which were discontinued at the end of 2024.

• Small controllers PNOZmulti 2
• Overview of small controllers
• Podcast on the history of the PNOZmulti 2