Safe signal systems on waterways The energy-efficient and low-maintenance solutions we offer for signaling systems meet all requirements for ensuring traffic safety for locks, movable bridges, and gates.

Conversation at the Kiel Canal for waterway signaling

Safe signal systems

The challenge

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. 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.

Signal systems with an integrated safety function meet the rigorous safety requirements, ensuring that the signaling equipment operate 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.

Solution

Signal system for safe operation in accordance with the Machinery Directive

Use the CE-compliant signal system to design reliable and energy-efficient signal systems for locks, bridges or ports. From the signal light and cabling to the automation technology, you receive everything from a single source with the field-proven signal 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 signal 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.

Interactive image map: Safety-related signaling system for waterways

Signal lights

Benefit from the flexibility of the system by combining safety signal lights with standard signal lights and operating them in one system. If no safety requirements apply to the system, standard signal lights are all that is required. The signal light interface is no longer required.

To the signal lights

Signal light interface

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.

To the application software

Safety controller

PROFINET controller with integrated PROFIsafe safety controller. High-level safety of machinery with diversified processors and support of up to 300 PROFIsafe devices.

To the safety controller

Safe I/Os

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.

To the I/Os

Maintenance personnel with tablet in front of signal system

Status information and alarm messages about the barrage and the movable bridge on the mobile end device

Signaling at a glance

With the diagnostics and monitoring function of the signal system, you can access a wealth of diagnostic and status information about the signal system. This means you always have an overview of the present luminosity, current, and voltage of each LED, the status of the LEDs, and 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.

If an incident occurs at the plant, the signal 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 document which signals were active on the lock system at what time in accordance with the Machinery Directive.

Switch signals safely

With the signal system, you can reliably switch signals 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.

Seawater-resistant signal lights

For waterway management, the availability of signal 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 secure, 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 signal 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.

To the signal lights

Flexible mechanics

Directional tubes align the signal lights to the waterways. Use the suitable brackets of the signal system for the mechanical installation of the lights in the entrance signals.
Preconfigured cables make installation and commissioning easier. Maintenance work is completed quickly and easily with cable assemblies that can be customized as needed.

See the manuals of the lights for the matching cable types and brackets.

To the cables and lines

As an important component of installations on waterways, signal systems ensure round-the-clock operation in accordance with the Machinery Directive while ensuring energy efficiency at the same time.

Werner Pollmann, Applications & Projects Infrastructure

Your advantages

Signal system for maximum operational safety with PL d and SIL 2 certification in accordance with the Machinery Directive
High-availability signaling with robust and durable lights for maritime use
Easy startup and maintenance with the preconfigured system
Minimization of maintenance and energy costs through diagnostics and monitoring functions

Contact

Fabian Pasimeni

Global Industry Manager Urban Infrastructure

smartcity@phoenixcontact.com

I would be happy to provide the support you need in projects geared toward increasing traffic safety for locks, movable bridges, and gates.

References

Niederfinow ship lift

Safe signals at the ship lift Niederfinow installs an energy-efficient signal system

The Niederfinow ship lift on the Oder-Havel Canal was first built to replace a lock chain. It overcomes a lifting height of 36 m. For the safety of personnel and ships, the new construction of the lift system was equipped with an LED-based signal system from Phoenix Contact.

The control and automation solution complies with the EU-wide Machinery Directive, ensures high energy efficiency, and makes it possible to use the latest maintenance and repair concepts.

More information on the project in Niederfinow

Lock system in Kiel-Holtenau, Germany

Communication signal lights Safe signals on the Kiel Canal

The roughly 100-kilometer-long Kiel Canal is one of the busiest man-made shipping routes in the world. The lock in Kiel-Holtenau bridges the difference in altitude between the two seas.

As part a of an upgrade project, the lock system was equipped with a signal system from Phoenix Contact that simplifies maintenance and saves energy.

More information on the project in Kiel-Holtenau