Signal lights that communicate
Safe signals on the Kiel Canal
The roughly 100 kilometer-long Kiel Canal runs through the German state of Schleswig-Holstein and is one of the busiest man-made waterways in the world. To compensate for the difference in height between the two seas, the locks ensure smooth operation. Signal lights from Phoenix Contact make it easier to maintain the locks on the Kiel Canal. Maintenance personnel are supported with status and diagnostic information and are therefore continuously informed of the status of the signaling. A further advantage of the lights is the LED technology that helps save energy and increase availability.
Safe bridge motion in accordance with the Machinery Directive
Safe operation on waterways
Various regions and countries throughout the world have different concepts and requirements for ensuring system safety on waterways. In order to prevent personal injury and damage to equipment, systems with mechanically moving parts must comply with basic safety requirements. In many places, for example, movable bridges, locks, and barrage and weir gates also fall within the scope of the Machinery Directive.
Signals that are visible from afar control traffic and ensure that shipping traffic can react to obstacles such as bridges or cross traffic in good time. In order to meet the high safety requirements in accordance with the Machinery Directive, signaling systems with integrated safety function ensure that the signaling equipment operated reliably. For example, the coordinated systems block the lowering of a bridge as long as the red ship signal is not activated in both directions.
In addition to trouble-free operation of locks, movable bridges, and gates, increasing safety requirements demand reliable and diagnosable signaling. As an important component of installations on waterways, signaling systems ensure round-the-clock operation in accordance with the Machinery Directive while at the same time ensuring energy efficiency.
Safety-related signaling system
Solution for safe operation in accordance with the Machinery Directive
Design reliable and energy-efficient signaling systems for locks, bridges, and harbors with the CE-compliant signaling system. From the signal light, through the cabling, right through to the automation technology, you receive everything from a single source with the field-proven signaling system.
Benefit from safety-related control and diagnostics in accordance with IEC 61508 and set up your maritime signaling equipment in compliance with the Machinery Directive. In addition to the necessary preservation of evidence and traceability of the operating behavior, the system enables simple and fast maintenance.
For high availability on waterways, the signaling system relies on a robust, seawater-resistant design. Integration of the preconfigured system into your existing signaling equipment is seamless via common industrial communication interfaces.
Click on the markers in the overview to learn more product details of the system.
Signal lights
Benefit from the flexibility of the system by combining safety signal lights and standard signal lights and operating them in one system. If no safety requirements apply to the system, standard signal lights are all that is needed and the signal light interface is not required.
Ready-to-install control cabinet for safe connection of the lights to the network.
Signal light control
Interface between the safe signaling and system automation, consisting of software and standard PLC. The safety-oriented software enables integration into the system with standard protocols (PROFINET, PROFIsafe) and also discretely via an I/O coupling.
PROFINET controller with integrated PROFIsafe safety controller. High-level safety of machinery with diversified processors and support for up to 300 PROFIsafe devices.
Whether with PROFIsafe or SafetyBridge Technology. With safe I/O modules, it could not be easier to implement safety applications. You can even do this without a safety controller and regardless of the network used.
Access to your application data also from mobile end devices
Signaling at a glance
With the diagnostics and monitoring function of the signaling system, you can access a wealth of diagnostic and status information about the signaling system. This means you always have an overview of the present luminosity, current, and voltage of each LED, the status of the LEDs, as well as the light intensity acting on the light. The availability of signaling becomes more transparent. Since maintenance is performed as needed, maintenance and energy costs are minimized in the long run.
Should an incident occur at the plant, the signaling system provides all relevant data. Port authorities and lock operators have the option of securely archiving the diagnosed data from the signal lights. This means that you can always rely on the Machinery Directive to document at which time which signals were active on the lock system.
Safe maintenance of infrastructure facilities such as locks, barrages, and movable bridges
Switch signals reliably
With the signaling system, you can switch signals safely and continuously monitor your system status. The system, defined in cooperation with TÜV, offers you maximum operational availability with safety-related diagnostics of the signal lights.
If the system no longer fulfills its intended operation due to incorrect control, cross-circuits, or failure, the signal system is switched to a safe state. If, for example, the red signal for "lock locked" is activated, but a green signal is actually displayed, the integrated switch-off device intervenes and switches off the faulty signal lights. You can define the safe state, such as “all green lights off” and “all red lights on”, to suit your needs.
Highly available signaling at locks
Seawater-resistant signal lights
For waterway management, the availability of signaling systems is a high priority. The signal lights of the CSD-SL product family take this requirement into consideration with consistently implemented diagnostic properties and a safe, industrial-grade communication connection. The TÜV-certified lights for maximum operational safety meet safety standards up to PL d and SIL 2 in accordance with EN ISO 13849 and EN 62061.
The signaling lights are available in the light colors red, green, yellow, and white. The particularly robust, seawater-resistant V4A housings are designed for long-lasting use in harsh outdoor environments. The illuminance can be adjusted, depending on the state or the special weather conditions.
The signal lights are aligned to the waterways via directional tubes. Use suitable brackets of the signaling system for the mechanical installation of the lights in the entry signals. Preconfigured cables make installation and commissioning easier. Maintenance work is carried out quickly and easily with customized cable assemblies.
All matching cable types and brackets can be found in the manuals of the lights.
