Kenny Kruger (Customer) asked a question.
We have used a few versions of the 'IDEM Emergency Stop Control Stations', specifically ESL-SSLP-232026-AS and ES-SS-231002.
The ESL units are mounted horizontally, such that the button is facing horizontally outward.
The ES units are mounted vertically, such that the button is facing vertically upward.
We have had no reports of any issues with the ESL units.
However, the ES units (mounted facing up) have been reported to be collecting water.
The first instance was in 2020-12. Six of these ES units are on the equipment, of which four of them had collected some amounts of water, and one of those four collected so much water that the safety circuit detected shorts across the terminals. At that point we opened all six units, cleaned them of any water/moisture, verified the cord-grips were adequately tightened to specifications, verified the ES units' covers were adequately torqued to specifications and verified the plug was secure.
The second instance occurred 2021-05. The customer reported one of the ES units was 3/4 full of water. Our customer brought in the top portion of the unit for our review. We believe water is coming in from the (mounted upward) e-stop button, through the boot gasket and o-ring. A bit of lime build-up from the water has deposited on the nut which secures the e-stop operator.
We love these units for their robustness and IP rating.
We utilize these units for our food equipment used in dairy processing plants, so they are being sanitized with hot water.
We suspect that water may be collecting in the yellow boot during sanitation and is later being sucked into the unit as it cools (creating a vacuum).
From what we've read, the documentation for these units does not specify a required mounting position (horizontal, vertical, diagonal, etc..).
I am looking for feedback of others' usage of this family of units and their experiences.
Any guidance from ADC would also be great.
I have not had any experience with those particular models, but I do have experience via the machines I've built used in ice cream plants where the cleaning crew really liked their "fire hoses." Their solution was to wrap the push button stations, pneumatic valves and photoeyes in plastic sheeting to prevent direct water contact.
Thanks for the feedback Todd.
These units were chosen specifically because of their IP69K rating, which should not require being bagged.
Some of our customers (food & dairy) also bag components before sanitation.
The aforementioned customer (cheese) was also bagging the e-stops after the first instance, but the state inspector frowned upon this practice, wondering how they could ensure proper sanitation.
>From what we've read, the documentation for these units does not specify a required mounting position (horizontal, vertical, diagonal, etc..).
tPIL-49 and tPIL-51 say [ Mounting position - Any ]
edit - added dashes to tPIL doc names
Thank you for pointing that out.
No required (or limited) mounting position(s), any position is acceptable.
The E-Stop PB Station Insert that comes in the box does not mention the mounting orientation.
Would recommend contacting our technical support team via the contact support button at the top or bottom of this page or at 1-800-633-0405 on this issue.
Thank you.
Case 00310042 created via https://community.automationdirect.com/s/contactsupport