Force sensors in cranes and hoists are essential not only for moving loads safely but also to protect workers, machines, and plants. In some cases, using force sensors is legally required, for example in stage technology, when loads are to be moved over the heads of people.
Force sensors in cranes and hoists help detecting and therefore avoiding overload and slack rope situations. They also deliver the required data for load spectrum recorders.
Cranes are exposed to various kinds of mechanical stress. If the scope of the exposure is measured and shown accordingly, maintenance intervals can be planned and performed as necessary. This does not only improve safety while operating the crane but also guarantee and prolong its lifespan.
In accordance with the accident prevention regulations (UVV), the operation of cranes is subject to a legally prescribed safety inspection of cranes, which must be carried out at regular intervals and after special events by a competent person. It ensures that a crane meets the requirements of the accident prevention regulations and can be operated safely accordingly. The inspection covers mechanical, electrical and safety aspects and serves to prevent accidents and hazards during operation. The crane inspection is based on DGUV Regulation 52 (“Cranes”), the German Ordinance on Industrial Safety and Health (BetrSichV) and the Technical Rules for Industrial Safety (TRBS).
Rope drives – Principles for calculation, construction and operation
This standard specifies the requirements for the calculation, design and monitoring of rope drives for cranes, which also includes checking the tensile forces and the load on the hoist ropes.
Cranes – Design – Verification of suitability of ropes, shafts, gears and couplings
This European standard describes the requirements for the design and calculation of ropes, including the verification of the load caused by tensile forces.
“Operation of load handling attachments in hoist operation”
This rule also contains practical information on the safe use of cranes, including the regular inspection of ropes and their loads.
The BetrSichV in conjunction with the Technical Rules for Operational Safety (TRBS) regulate the inspection obligations and measures for the maintenance of work equipment, which also includes checking the tensile forces on hoist ropes.
Our SKS series rope force sensor is the perfect solution for continuous load monitoring and detecting overloads and underloads on crane hoist ropes. The sensor can be retrofitted without any changes to your crane’s hoisting device and with minimal installation effort in order to subsequently monitor loads safely. An integrated amplifier generates an interference-independent 4…20mA measurement signal that can be routed over long distances to an evaluation unit. A redundant version (diverse) with 2 x 4…20 mA is also available as an option.
Together with Primosensor display devicesand limit value switches such as the DGS4116S002, the load can either be visualized and/or a load switch-off can be carried out directly.
For our force sensors, which we can also design redundantly, we supply safety characteristics in accordance with EN 13849 and EN 61508 for functional safety (PL/SIL). The DGS 4116S002 limit value switch can be used in safety-relevant applications up to SIL 2 in accordance with IEC 61508 and PLd in accordance with ISO 13849.
All cranes and hoists benefit significantly from being retrofitted with force sensors. How convenient, that such an upgrade is possible for any kind of crane. Load pins such as the Primosensor MA and MAH series are the most popular force sensors used in cranes. Even they can easily be retrofitted with our rope clamp SKS or a tensile force transducer (Primosensor ZDA / ZML) at the rope fixing point. We offer suitable devices for assessing, displaying and switching (limit switch) which can be connected to the force sensors, too.
The redundant design of our force sensors makes them even safer. Safety data sheets in accordance with safety standards EN 13849 (PL) or EN 61508 (SIL) are available.
Primosensor GmbH
Lagerstraße 11
64807 Dieburg / Germany
Phone: +49 6071 63467-50
Fax: +49 6071 63467-60
info@primosensor.de
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