Often called punch buttons or emergency switches, emergency stop buttons are installed on all types of equipment considered hazardous. Machine tools, conveyor belts, control panels, and complex machinery all require an emergency stop button that is easy to use, identifiable, and immediately visible.
Role, installation, location, height, maintenance, operator training... This detailed review will help you choose and wire emergency stop buttons in industrial environments without making mistakes.
The Role of Industrial Emergency Stop Buttons
These emergency buttons are used to immediately prevent dangerous situations for the operator and/or equipment. Their role is to cut off the electrical or pneumatic power supply to a machine without delay to make it safe, as well as protect the person working on or near it. They therefore fulfill an immediate interruption function.
Emergency push buttons stop a machine or system with a single press in the event of a hazard, such as possible injury to the operator or an incident on a production line.
Unlike other safety devices, activating an emergency button requires human intervention.
Different Types of Emergency Stop Buttons
The international standard IEC 60947-5-5 on emergency stop buttons stipulates that an emergency stop must be indicated by a red button on a yellow background. This makes them easy to distinguish from other push buttons on an installation.
They can be round or square in shape and vary in size. Some models are illuminated to ensure maximum visibility and immediate identification of the equipment in question.
It should be noted that not all emergency stop devices are push buttons: they can also be foot-operated (particularly when hands are occupied) or cable-operated, often used on long conveyor lines, in rolling mills, or in test laboratories.
There are generally three main types of emergency stop buttons, depending on how they are reset:
- Twist to release (turn to unlock)
- Key release (secure unlocking)
- Push-pull
Where Should an Emergency Stop Button Be Located?
It is not always mandatory to install an emergency stop button on every machine or workstation. A preliminary risk analysis is necessary to determine the hazards to be prevented and, therefore, whether an emergency stop is required or not.
An international standard dedicated to machine safety specifies the functional requirements and design principles for the emergency stop function, regardless of the type of energy used (electricity, compressed air, gas, hydraulics, etc.).
Some portable machines or specific equipment may not require an emergency stop button if such a device does not effectively reduce the risk.
The impact of the installation may affect all or part of the system:
At the head of the installation: the button stops the entire process or production line. It is usually installed on the front of a control cabinet.
At a local level: the button only stops a specific unit or section of production, limiting the overall shutdown. It is often mounted in a local box.
On the machine itself: it only stops the equipment affected by a fault or hazard. The button can be surface-mounted on a wall, directly on the machine, or flush-mounted, depending on the available options.
Maintenance of Emergency Stop Buttons
Like all safety devices, emergency stop buttons must be checked regularly to ensure they work properly in the event of danger.
It is recommended to:
- Carry out a visual inspection of the button components
- Check the connections and wiring
- Test the associated electrical circuits
- Carry out a button activation test
It is also advisable to organize regular tests and drills with operators to ensure that response procedures are clearly understood and followed.
A Wide Range of Emergency Stop Buttons Available
We offer a wide range of emergency stop buttons suitable for different types of industrial and safety installations. You will find models from Schneider Electric, Legrand, and other leading brands on our website.
These buttons can be installed in waterproof wall boxes from Schneider Electric's Harmony XALK range, offering IP66 protection. These boxes are ideal for use in industrial environments, commercial buildings, or infrastructure.
They can also be mounted in suspended enclosures for use on mobile equipment such as cranes or hoists.
Combined with other control and signaling units (indicator lights, control buttons, selectors), these emergency stop buttons are an essential component of industrial safety on production lines, automated installations, and infrastructure.
