Emergency stop halts a hazardous movement

In accordance with the Machinery Directive, plant and machinery must be fitted with emergency stop equipment so that a hazard can be averted or reduced in the case of an emergency. In a dangerous situation, emergency stop control devices are operated manually, triggering a signal to halt a potentially hazardous movement. If the emergency stop command is triggered, the emergency stop control device is latched in. This must be maintained until the control device is released manually. It is not necessary for power to be removed from the entire machine.

In contrast to an emergency stop, an emergency switching off device completely removes the power to the system.

EN ISO 13850 Safety of machinery. Emergency stop. Principles for design

• Difference between emergency stop and emergency switching off device