Schmersal UK has supplied and installed a number of safety relays and a unique positive break safety limit switch for applications at BNFL’s Sellafield site.

BNFL placed the first order after identifying that an ultimate stop switch needed to be fitted to a moving platform that is used for the safe monitoring and decontamination of nuclear flasks. Due to the wet environmental conditions the switch had to be suitably IP (ingress protection) rated.

In addition to the series limit switch, BNFL had a requirement for a specialist safety gate switch. Schmersal subsequently designed a circuit using a combination of the switch operating through special safety relays that would prevent the operators from being placed in a dangerous position.